ABOUT US: Simon Wezel, GamWeb
and Kingfisher Trust
I visited the Gambia on holiday and was moved by the poverty I saw. I wanted to
find a way to assist those who had no way to help themselves. Starting with few
resources, I encouraged organisations and friends in the UK to donate goods
which were distributed to those in need. After travelling between the UK and the
Gambia for 14 years, I decided to live there permanently and thus expand the
organisation. Over the years tangible results of the Trust’s efforts began to
emerge and more people got involved. Links were set up with donors in Europe,
all of whom were willing to assist this developing nation.
We have had a lot of help from Rotary Clubs in Venlo and Roosendaal (in Holland)
and from ‘Tools with a Mission’. Another Dutch charity, Stichting Bouwen, has
been very helpful.
1.We have provided medical equipment and two ventilators for
the intensive care unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital. We link with UNESCO
clubs and the President’s Award Scheme in the skills training of young people,
providing typewriters, sewing machines and computers for schools, tools
for villages and skill centres and we have built a 3-classroom nursery school
and toilet block
Several years ago, Captain Saine, who lost his sight after a car accident in
1993, joined us as President. Just before visiting the UK in October 2005, I
read an article in Visual Systems Journal about a computer program for the
blind. A Symantec employee had just offered us £500 from a sponsored bike ride
and the company had agreed to match his donation. Having seen a demonstration of
the Guide program at the RNIB, I decided to buy it from Software Express. On my
return I asked Captain Saine to come and try it out. What happened was
unbelievable. Within two hours he was typing a document and even sending e-mail
for the first time in his life. He said, "This will make my life independent. I
will not need my children to read my letters and other documents. It would be
marvellous if other blind people could have this opportunity."
On Saturday 11th March 2006 a New and Free Internet Café for
the Blind and Visually Impaired was opened at Fajara, by Secretary of State for
Communication, Information and Technology.
.
This ground breaking project was initiated and funded by me (Simon Wezel) and
Kingfisher Trust U.K., making The Gambia a leading light in Africa with
this technology. Allowing students free and total access to surf the net,
to send and receive emails and to enhance their studies with the aid of this
pioneering software. No more do they need to rely on a third party to read to
them newspapers, magazines, books, letters and world wide information.
Having passed the age of 70, it has become difficult to travel around the Country, so I have decided to extend my hobby of designing Web Sites, to make several more, with the main idea of promoting The Gambia, whilst at the same time raising money for Kingfisher Trust from any profits made.