Focus-Gambia: Photographic Workshops in The Gambia, West Africa

Facts

The Economic Development Index Gambia is at number 192 out of 208 countries.

Life expectancy is 56 years

Infant mortality rate is 112 out of 1,000 (compared with six out of 1,000 in the European Union).

Lack of clean water is one of the major causes of infant deaths.

PING's Achievements so far........

By November 2007, with the help of a hydrologist, a six-inch borehole had been dug, 80 metres deep;

Solar panels installed for the electricity to pump the water into a storage tank from which it could feed taps throughout the village.

Three acres had been cleared and six irrigation wells hand dug which meant they could grow fruit and vegetables to harvest four times a year.

A fence was built to keep out animals. Now they had a way of earning money which would pay for the upkeep of the pump

Nine other villages have come forward saying they need help

Even though West Africa has been a successful holiday destination for many decades, few tourists venture further than the local craft markets, the fishing ports or local (European run) restaurants. Other than voyeurs on an organised trip, only a handful will have experienced Gambia's true poverty or had direct contact with the overwhelming spirit of the Gambian people - let alone spent time at a local school or the women from a local village.

When Focus-Gambia was launched, it was always our intention to become linked to a charity where our clients could not only have the opportunity to see the 'real Gambia' but also be involved with a company who wanted to make a difference and give something back to the community.

So we are delighted to link with the PING Charity run by Brian Harrold and Pamela Morgan. A delightful and enterprising couple who have generously shared their contacts with us so that we can offer a unique opportunity of seeing and photographing The Gambia in the raw. See our Social and Documentary itinerary

Our immediate aim is to ask 100 people to start giving just £2.00 every month (less than one glass of wine on a night out)

Or any sum, no matter how small, can be made via their link with PayPal and would really be appreciated

For a brilliant article by Louise France from October's Sunday Observer click here
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/oct/05/ethicalholidays.gambia