Thank you Letter from Fr. Sean Devereux in Gambia

Dear Madeleine

I write to express heart-felt gratitude on behalf of the people of the villages in Foni, Western Division of the Republic of The Gambia who are recipients of items collected and shipped in a container by the Rotary Club of Wexford.

It is difficult for me to sit here and adequately express in words the sheet excitement caused by the arrival of the 40ft container last week. Even as I write there are children looking through the office window in the hope of getting a runner, some clothes, a cuddly toy or a bicycle.

I am deeply humbled by the kindness and generosity of Rotary members and the general public in Wexford. There are days when I was completely overwhelmed by the sheet poverty all about me. One can feel very alone and inadequate in such situations. Rotary and the people of Wexford have given me renewed energy and vigor as I and my colleagues go from village to village distributing the items you sent. The magic of Christmas is so evident these days in the smiling eyes of so many children and young people.

So how have we distributed the items?

As I write we continue to work at the distribution process. Two evenings ago I invited the young members of the local football ‘academy’ to come and choose football boots. The whole squad left very happy. The remaining boots and runners will be distributed through the schools in the poorer villages.

The clothes have been sorted into different categories. We have identified the poorer villages as recipients. The tools remain in a big box. We will sort them out next week. The books and school stationary will be distributed to schools next week. We aim to help at least 15 schools with books and stationary.
The laptops have been given to trainee teachers and university students. The desktop computers will be distributed to schools, the hospital and the local police station.
Our community radio station benefited from a laptop, a desktop computer and some of the assorted electronic items.
The medical supplies will be divided between our Diocesan Mobile Clinic and the local hospital. The items allocated to the local hospital will be presented on Monday next. I am awaiting the return of the Chief Executive of the hospital for an official handing over. The presentation to the Diocesan Mobile Clinic will be later in the week.
The bicycles are causing great excitement among the students. We have asked 15 schools to identify students who have to walk more than 4 km to school each day. The bikes will be given to the students who will enter into an agreement for the care of the bike. The bikes will be returned to our centre for maintenance at the end of the school year.
And the motorbike! I am getting used to it. I did not realise it was such a big bike. There is a little apprehension from other staff members when I take off on it.

Finally, there is the big cuddly dog that we found among the items. A girl has made it here best friend – Santa arrived early!