MY GAMBIAN EXPERIENCE – BY ANDREW GOMEZ

I was fortunate to be able to help in getting the Tebbs shipment out of the ports. It was not so easy, because they had to make a thorough search to be sure that only stationery items were in the shipment. We also had to keep the items in a safe place until Fiona arrived. Meeting Fiona and seeing her passion in the drive towards giving a helping hand to students who are less fortunate from this part of the world was really wonderful!

The moment we gathered packages for the last stage of the distribution was truly a joyful moment for me. We were also taking pictures all the way through, which to me was truly a sign of transparency. The distribution was good. All the students who were present in the two schools that we visited each received a package and a few others in the third school we visited had packages as well.

I know what it means for someone to offer you assistance when you are in school, because I lost my parents at a young age and I had to live on the help that people offered from abroad. I was lucky to have attended a mission school which has made me what I am today, so I am thinking about the many others who were not lucky enough to be able attend a mission school, let alone be able to afford stationery and school fees.

I was privileged to have worked with Fiona in this noble mission and I will always make myself available any time that I am asked to. I am making a plea to those who have been giving in this work to continue because they will not go unrewarded. To those who have not yet given, it is a worthwhile cause, if you can give, please give and it will be given to you.