Time for another update about the activities on Jinack, The Gambia, directed towards the sponsors of the project and everyone who is concerned with the benefit of Jinack.  

The foundation's activities were continued with another visit to Jinack in the week of 7th to 14th February. The photographs below are more meaningful than words: there is a traditional way of crossing the river mouth in canoe, and a modern way, by ferry, but in the Gambian fashion. Safety instructions and occupational health and safety regulations are out of the question. If our jeep can be cramped in, it goes.

Photo: traditional transportation                                   Photo: modern transportation

The Health Clinic

About the health clinic there is nothing but positive news: the system works, the government have supplied sufficient medicines. The urgency of our activities is illustrated by the following numbers, which comprise the period from the opening in July to the end of December 2009: 2.726 patients were attended the past 6 months, 26 patients were hospitalized, of which only 7 had to be referred to the district hospital. Twenty-six babies - 16 boys and 10 girls - were born in the clinic, one of which was unfortunately born dead. We expect that little effort is required to keep the clinic running, other than creating the necessary sources of income for the local population to finance the facility, the ambulance and the school. Income which will be generated by starting up the farm project.  

The Farm Project Bakindiki Koto

The first rice has been harvested. As agreed, 16 bags of the harvest were returned based on the 8 bags of rice seeds that were put at the project's disposal. We will store this share of the yield until the start of the next growing season, when we will redistribute it for free. This is to ensure that there will also be a supply of rice seeds to sustain the growing cycle in times of scarcity. We will continue to double this supply until enough rice is produced on the island to start selling the surplus rice.

The experimental corn field was harvested, which yielded 350 kilos of corn. This is not enough, not to say disappointing, but a clear beginning. The local population did prepare the soil, however, so the coming growing season it will be much easier to cultivate. During our visit we explored the land which will be converted into 15 hectares of farmland, and where we will also start up a poultry farm.

Experts will have to approve of a location for the farm where a well can be sunk of approximately 40 to 60 meters deep, with solar collectors and a pumping unit that will be able to move 8000 liters of water an hour. This will also include the construction of modest sleeping quarters, two containers that a sponsor donated as storage for tools and crop yields and two local poultry houses, both with a capacity of 250 hens. Furthermore, a tractor will be purchased, not only to cultivate every hectare of the project but also to assist other communities on the mainland of Bakindiki Koto for benefits in kind.

The location that we have chosen for the time being is around the imposing tree shown on the photograph below, which gives plenty of shade and is a beautiful landmark. What remains is to convert the land around into arable land. The photographs below clearly show that a great deal of hard work lies ahead: kilometers covered with tenacious shrubs with extensive root systems, as are common in these dry areas. 

With respect to the financing of the project, we would like to make a final and urgent request for a contribution of our sponsors and other interested parties. About 20.000 euro is lacking to realize the farm project. This money will be destined for the purchase of a local pick-up truck; needed for the transportation of products to the market. If you are considering a donation, think of it as an expenditure with quadruple tax benefits, something you will never experience in the Netherlands. Your gift is tax-deductible, the car will be delivered free of VAT, without bmp, and the Gambian government does not levy any import taxes for our foundation. This all should sound very good to you as a citizen and entrepreneur! We are looking forward to your gift on account number 26.04.53.315. 

This update as well as the coming updates are published on a new page on our website under Farm Project Bakindiki Koto, http://www.2bab.org/index.php/Farm%20Project%20Bakindiki%20Koto%20English.

"This project is conducted in cooperation with the National Committee for International Cooperation and Sustainable Development."

2BaB Foundation is more than willing to draw your attention to the website www.ncdo.nl , which includes information about the United Nation´s millennium development goals. 2BaB Foundation does not just commit itself to the United Nation´s Millennium Development Goals (http://mdgs.un.org/), we want to be active in the realization of all eight goals. Besides health care and education, projects aimed at the achievement of the other goals will be developed. The first preparations for these coming projects have already been made: rice seed has been purchased and land for growing maize crops has been appointed. Also, a project for poultry farming is being prepared. Of course we will regularly update you about all new developments.

Only the realization of the Millennium Goals will significantly improve the living standards on Jinack.

For more information please refer to Contributions and donations are more than welcome.