Shiplake College has long-established ties with charity Gap Africa. The charity was founded by Marcel and Sally Wagner, and works to alleviate poverty in the poorest areas of Africa and, in particular Kenya. The team raises funds, delivers books and stationery to schools, and takes an active role in building schools and fixing furniture to be used within those schools. Each year, the Shiplake College Expedition Society visits Kenya with Gap Africa, to visit and work in schools in the Kikunduku village area. This year, Gap Africa have launched a new initiative to raise money for particular funds, including purchasing sandals, school books, uniforms and, on a larger scale, building a new secondary school. Many thanks to Mr Darius Bluck, Charity Coordinator, for providing the following information about the life-changing cards:
‘The launch of the new ‘Donation Cards’ have a Christmas theme, with eight different designs, each supporting a different project. The Donation Cards range from £3 to £15, and the sale of each card will be directed to a particular project. 100% of the card sale will go to the specific cause, making it an easy way to make a life-changing purchase this Christmas.'
If you are stuck with ideas for Christmas presents, why not donate to a particular project on someone’s behalf? Buy a child some sandals, provide a uniform or help build a classroom.
You can purchase these cards by emailing Mr Bluck. Samples of the cards can be seen in Reception. After Christmas, Gap Africa will be producing non-seasonal cards for all occasions, so these could be ideal for birthday presents, a wedding gift or simply a thank you. Below are some of the projects which are supported by the Donation Cards.
Thank you for my sandals!
Poverty means many children have no shoes, or even sandals. This allows easy access to the Jigger worm that burrows into soles of children’s feet. There is medical intervention available but this has to be applied daily which is both timely and expensive. Your donation will help to provide a pair of long lasting sandals for a child in need, reducing the spread of jiggers and raising morale in the community. Thank you.
Thank you for my school books!
A decent education is key to every child’s future. School syllabus textbooks are often in short supply with many students sharing one book between forty students. Textbooks help to engage primary school students and allow the learning to continue at home. Your donation will provide a set of textbooks and help provide the necessary stationary for teachers to carry out effective lessons. Thank you.
Thank you for my uniform!
A uniform raises morale in the community and also provides local merchants with trade as they supply all the requirements (bolts of cloth, thread, buttons etc.). The local Technical College’s dress making school also benefits, as they get to work with real cloth in making the uniforms (instead of sewing brown paper as usual!). Your donation will provide one full uniform to a student in need. Thank you.
Help build a classroom.
Due to our success in supporting education, our school numbers have risen considerably. This places a strain on the existing infrastructure of the KSP schools and we find the constant need to provide new classrooms, but also to refurbish existing ones as the harsh conditions around Kikunduku takes its toll on the existing fabric. Your donation will help to provide the valuable resources needed to build, refurbish and maintain these schools by providing us with the bricks, paint, cement and wood. Thank you.
