Latest News from The Oasis Project
Christmas 2019 at Starlight
Thanks to Simon Soanes for his generous donation for our Christmas party. We would not have been able to give any gift. Parents will not have to worry about providing shoes for the new term.
Each child at Starlight school received a pair of shoes for Christmas and there were presents for the teachers too.
Musical Concert October 2019
A group of talented local musicians treated us to an amazing evening of songs from the musicals. We believe that they are the stars of the future.
What an amazing fundraising event today at St Mary's Church Bletchley. Young musicians performed songs from musicals, to raise money for The Oasis Project (The Gambia.) All money raised will support Starlight Nursery and Primary School in the community of Bakau, The Gambia. It was lovely to see the young musicians at the forefront of this event. EVERY musician's talent, passion and confidence shone through in the performance. A truly inspirational event.
Thank you Joe Allen and Concept Theatre Group you did us proud! Thanks also to St Mary's Church Bletchley for the venue. What a successful fundraiser too. We raised a total of £1016. Thank you to you all for your generosity and support. It means so much to The Oasis Project (The Gambia).
Fashion Show July 2019
Thank you to everybody who came down to Willen last night to support our pop-up fund raising fashion event for the Oasis Project (The Gambia). You raised over £500 to help support the Starlight School in Bakau. It's a project that's very dear to our hearts, so your support last night means more to us than you know 💚
Fashion by Rock Those Frocks Boutique, Towcester and Buckingham
June 2019 2019
Our students at Starlight school joined Banjul American International Students on an initiative about ocean pollution and the danger to humans from eating sick fish. Mixed groups produced ocean artwork impressions and Starlight students shared a drama sketch on general littering. We all enjoyed the experience.
Excellent collaboration as it is in line with Oasis Project (the Gambia) environment objectives
New School Bus
2016
We are delighted to now have a school bus for the children and the previous owner is allowing us to use it in advance of payment but we would really like to reward his generosity soon so any donation towards this would be very much appreciated.
From Red Noses to Plates
2016
Thanks to Toyota we are recycling red noses into plates... every little bit really does help.
Bin it Don't Drop It - Litter Can Kill Campaign - December 2011
Hard work, careful planning and community involvement. This is what we achieved in 3 weeks.
Sustainable solution to drains being littered in Bakau, The Gambia by experimenting with an idea that popped into my head.
I left England knowing I was going to do something visual with the drain problem. I believed that whatever I did would urge the community to want to take control and have a say in how their environment looked and smelt. It was also a quest to find sustainable solution that will allow rain water to flow in the drains and not let litter in.
By the community taking ownership of whatever I did, I hoped that it would also empower them to take pride in their surroundings and encouraging each other to stop dropping litter.
We are saving lives - By cleaning the drains we are removing the breeding ground for mosquitoes. We are reducing the cases of malaria which cause deaths in the community. Respiratory problems and skin/eye infections are also reduced.
There are miles of drains like this to repair and cover. Each 50 metres cost approx £400
We urgently need financial help to continue. We operate solely on the financial generosity of friends, family and supporters.
I know there is a world financial struggle at present but surely we can all spare £2 - £5 per month to help us reduce avoidable sickness/infections and deadly diseases these people can't do anything about.
If you know anyone or an organisation that can support us please get in touch.
VOLUNTEER TRIPs
We will be organising volunteer trips for this project in the near future so please get in touch if you can help.
'EVERYBODY DESERVES A CHANCE'
End of July 2011
I've spent the last month making colourful flower pots out of old car tyres. Local upper school students came to help. It's been hard work but fun.
We heard that the President is coming to Bakau on Thursday 28th July so, we decided that we were going to ask the organising committee if we can use our empty flower pots to decorate the street and the arena for the rally.
!!! YIPPEE WE HAVE THE GO AHEAD !!!
It was a great occassion. The president has plans for his country.
The following morning Yaya my caretaker and I decided to move our pots to the highway which is equivalent to a four lane 'A' road in the UK. We hired a truck and the rest is history.
Oasis Project colourful tyre pots are the talk of the town. Gambia hasn't seen recycling like this. The people love them.
Old car tyre recycling is about the health and environment of the nation. Old car tyres hold stagnant water and are breeding ground for mosquitoes. Mosquito bites can cause malaria. Malaria is a problem in Africa.
Mid July 2011
In between old car tyres and colourful flower pots, we found time to participate in a march past in Banjul for President Jammeh's 17 years in office anniversary. We had a fabulous day. I felt like a teenager again.
I was also taken to the womens vegetable garden and shown a practice that has gone on for years which is a real health hazard. In short they are diverting sewage water to use as fertilizer for their crop!!! This is an epidemic waiting to happen.
WHAT MAKES ME THINK I CAN SUCCEED WHERE OTHERS HAVE FAILED?
Well, I'm going to have a good try...The Oasis Project approach is to educate the people causing the danger and the people suffering from this practice.
I have written an information sheet and intend to recruit local youths to go compound to compound using this newsletter to educate.
We will:-
Make people aware of the wrong they are doing
Make people aware of the sicknesses they are causing
Make people aware of how to avoid making others sick and getting sick themselves
Make people aware of the danger they are causing and how to do things better
June 2011
On my arrival in June I was invited to join the Operation Clean the Nation (OCN) taskforce committee. They are seeking an audience with the president to discuss equipment requirement for the continued operation of the President's initiative.
Divine Hope School - I have also spent some time with the children and teachers at the orphanage nursery school that Oasis Project support. Francis Obi who operates the school has been refurbishing additional classrooms.
I would like you to help Oasis Project raise funds to furnish and equip the classrooms for the start of the school year in September 2011.
You too can make a real difference
You can help us in one of three ways:
