'Nyodema' - meaning 'helping each other' in the Gambian language Mandinka - was started in 2007 with the aim of bringing world music and arts to our home town of Bognor Regis. Through which we hope to promote awareness of other cultures and to raise money for health and educational needs in West Africa.
Our first event, Nyodema's World Music & Arts Festival 2007, held at The Regis Arts Centre, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, on August Bank Holiday Monday, included live music, drum and singing workshops, craft stalls, poetry and a photographic exhibition (see blog for line-up).
The aim of the festival was to raise funds to buy mosquito nets for the children of the Brikama Progress Nursery School, school equipment and some basic equipment for the Brikama Health Clinic in The Gambia.
We were delighted with the support we received - thanks to our friends here in Bognor
and to the musicians and artists who volunteered their talent and their time to perform at the festival which was a huge success.
We returned to The Gambia in November 2007 to personally distribute medical equipment including 140 mosquito nets.
Our next event, the Christmas Party, raised enough funds to buy another 120 nets which we distriubted April 2008 (see video opposite.)
Since then we have held many more events and raised enough money to start a teacher training programme in "phonics". This is a method of teaching English widely used across the UK. Most children grow up in The Gambia speaking one of the tribal languages, however, English is spoken in all schools, further education and business so it is essential that they learn English as soon as possible. Phonics is now being taught in the Brikama, Jedda nursery school (ages 4 to 7) and in the next door primary school. To date we have trained over 40 teachers. The primary school has been so impressed with the children moving up from infant school to the primary school that they have asked us to organise training for more infant schools in the area.
We have taken a variety of medical equipment, donated to us, to Brikama Hospital, including a wheelchair, stethoscopes, bandages...
With your on-going support we hope to fund many more worthwhile projects. We only support projects where we can ensure that the aid goes to the people who really need it. For example, we personally buy the mosquito nets ourselves in The Gambia and oversee the nets beinging handed out to every individual child. None of your money is lost to corruption, administration or our travel expenses.
A huge thank you to everyone for what we've achieved so far....
Sorry we've not replied earlier. We loved playing for you and it's great to have made some new friends. Stay in touch and we look forward to seeing you again.
It was a pleasure to contribute to the festival last week. Glad it went well for you guys. Cheers from Golden Boulder + Roxstars (Dub Side of the Boulder).
Hi Kathryn and Nyodema team, Hope all is well with you!!!! We'll be together soon for sure...Meanwhile I continue to wish all the best for the mission and for all of you... Thank you for the invitation..Please feel free to call me always. Kind Regards Carmen
Hi Kathryn, Hope your both well guess pete has been playing some xmas hits on those beautiful pianos. say hi to him from me, I haven't got a new tuner Im just playing a rag time piano at the mo, Tell him Ill be in touch soon. Good luck with Nyodema, Look like a ggod thing!
Hi Katie and Shelag I wish all of the best for you and your mission...Please when you have more news about your mission I'll be more than happy to hear about them...! God Bless you Shelag may your trip be 10x rewarding for you and for the children. Carmen
Sorry we can't be at the Midsummer Party... well no sorry is the wrong word really... we're playing in France. Have a great one, and I hope you get good support!
Thanks for linking up with the Body, Mind & Soul, looks like you guys are doing a good work too! It is a positive vibration to find people fighting the good fight!
