Gambia Update 2005
Bill Lindop provided three reports on work in The Gambia during the year.
- A visit to The Gambia during January
- Progress on a Dentistry (September)
- Challenges of the Dentistry (December)
The January visit
As is usually the case, this visit was so unlike any previous one.
It all started at Yumdum Airport, where a new X ray machine had been installed. Instead of the normal cursory check, all the baggage was subject to scrutiny. With 5 kilos of pencils and a number of mobile phones, I had some explaining to do, although in the end things worked out alright.
On our first Saturday we received a visit from Rev Norman Grigg (Chairman of the District from 1st September 2004), who wanted to discuss a number of issues. Norman also joined us for our evening meal. We were invited to the following day's service at Trinity Methodist Church, Serekunda, where Norman was officiating. Imagine our surprise when we arrived at the church to discover that the whole service was to be televised! The following Tuesday, Norman also accompanied us on a visit to the Sohm clinic. On the way to the clinic, we were able to call into the Birkama Methodist Farm, which is part of the MMAP (Methodist Mission Agricultural Programme). We met with Rev Joseph Gomez, and were able to inspect the new building which is to serve as the dental unit. For the remainder of the journey we discussed the transport and communications problems which hinder the Sohm clinic's work. On arrival at Sohm I was able to introduce Norman to the staff. We also met the Alkalo (the head man of the village). We were pleasantly surprised to learn that a baby girl had been born only two days previously. Both mother and baby were doing well, and although the family were Muslims, Norman was able to give the baby a blessing. He said that it made all the work worthwhile.
Two days later (Thursday 19th January), I was invited to attend and address a meeting of the Methodist Mission Medical Board Committee, when the whole structure, including the proposed dental unit, was discussed. The members of the committee were both positive and forward thinking as to the action required, and they were most generous in their thanks for their friends at Trinity Methodist Church, Woking for the financial support which has been given for all the medical work. The meeting closed with hope and determination for the future.
It had been agreed that the key to the dental unit would be made available the following day. The next Wednesday (25th January) Norman Grigg (and driver) collected us from our hotel, as we were to return to the unit to take photographs of the interior before proceeding to the church/clinic complex at Makumba-ya. About 2 to 3 miles from the hotel, I asked the Chairman if he had the key. He thought that I had it! Back to the hotel and after numerous phone calls and an hour and a half (this is Africa!) we set off again. It was worth the wait. We were able to inspect the building and will be able to give a factual report when we next visit Dentaid.
During our visit to Makumba-ya we were able to see the clinic, and afterwards paid our respects to the Alkalo at his compound. The Alkalo gave the piece of land to the Methodist Church where the church/clinic was built. We also saw Irene, who is 2½ years old. Irene was the first baby born following the opening of the clinic and was named "Irene Bill's Wife" at the naming ceremony. She was fast asleep, having been given an injection to combat malaria. We have since been told that Irene has made a full recovery.
I paid a visit to the Monday Clinic at Marakissa to distribute pencils etc., to the Methodist Primary School. Through an interpreter, the village Alkalo expressed thanks on behalf of the village community for the water supply and stand pipe. During our return journey, the taxi driver told me (with a chuckle) that the Alkalo would visit the hotel on Monday 31st January with a deputation. I was nevertheless surprised when they duly arrived. They said that they were disappointed that a village gathering had not been possible to provide a proper welcome and celebration. The AJkola told me that from that day I had been elected a Citizen of Marakissa (their highest honour) and had been given the tribal name of Ansamana Colley. Irene, who had joined us, was to be known as Mirana Colley.
So our unusual visit came to an end, though the positive memories remain: the 2 day old baby born at Sohm, 2 year old Irene recovered from malaria, and also the plans to set up in the near future a dental unit at Brikama, with finances more or less guaranteed to support the project. I am reminded of a quotation attributed to Mother Theresa "It is not the masses, it is the individual that counts".
God willing we will be off to the Gambia again in 2006.
Bill and Irene Lindop.
The Gambia - Dentistry at Brikama
Since my update presentation on Sunday 3rd July, when we still had no dentist, things have moved forward with some pace. Although the necessary funding was available, things did not look good, because Dentaid were not able to allocate a slot for the start date of the refurbishment of a chair and ancillaries without two independent references and a dentist with the necessary qualifications. However, these two problems have now been solved: the two references have now been obtained, one from the Gambian government and the second from the British High Commissioner, and an ex pat dentist has now been traced.
Armed with this information a cheque for £2,705.50 was drawn from church funds (Trinity having been the custodian of funds raised by myself). This amount is to cover 50% of the refurbishment costs, plus sea-freight and packaging to Banjul docks from the UK. The receipt and certificate can be seen on the church notice board.
Considering that I began discussions with Dentaid in June 2002, it seems that at last something positive is happening. It is hoped that the refurbishment, which will take between 6 and 8 weeks, will commence soon, so the complete surgery should arrive in Banjul later this year. The final piece of the jigsaw is to provide funds for a minimum of one year, possibly two, to cover the dentist's expenses, drugs, and to pay for a dental nurse, so that the facilities can start on a sound financial footing.
Imagine a small township and surrounding villages with a population of approximately 45,000 and no dentist - that is the situation at present. With the starting of the dentistry we have the opportunity to change this situation and to provide a much needed service as part of our mission.
Bill Lindop
The Gambia - Dentistry at Brikama
In the September issue of TLT I wrote saying that the refurbishment of the "Dental Equipment for One Surgery" was expected to commence in 6-8 weeks. At last things have been moving forward. Dentaid sent an email advising that the work was well under way. This was followed by one saying that the refurbishment equipment would be collected on Friday 25th or Monday 28th November, for crating and shipment to Banjul Docks as soon as possible, so depending on the shipping availability, delivery should be before Christmas.
There is of course one more challenge to overcome, as when the equipment is installed finances have to be found. This is because the project will not be self supporting for some considerable time. The project is seen as part of the mission to the under privileged. As I explained in the penultimate paragraph of my September article, I would hope that funds could be raised to enable the project to be started up and financed for up to 2 years, so that the Methodist Medical Mission are not working under any constraint
Some costings have been undertaken, and it is estimated that £3,500 would mean the project could look forward to a successful future. As Christmas is ever drawing nearer, please keep in your minds and prayers the ship that is getting nearer to Banjul, with a start date of early 2006 being planned.
Finally, if any further information is wanted please see Irene or myself. Also, if anyone wishes to make a donation to this cause please do so, any monies will be lodged in the separate Church Account for onward transmission to the Gambia.
Bill Lindop