April 08    Following presentations on Village Africa kindly given by Doug and Moe Brazenall, Village Africa would like to give special thanks to: Dudley Men's Fellowship who meet at Central Methodist Church in Dudley, West Midlands, Dr.David and Ann Gallimore, Five Ways Methodist Church, Lower Gornal.   April 08    Gifts gratefully received in the UK: hand knitted baby clothes and blankets, children’s and babies toys and blankets, the use of a photocopier. Special thanks to David and Jeanette Robinson. Special thanks to Claire Probert and Alex Holden Special thanks to The Coseley School and Sports College for the photocopying of information packs for the Village Africa pilot child sponsorship scheme.   April 08    Gifts gratefully received from Tanzania, Australia and the UK - safety goggles, footballs, toys, clothing, shoes, toiletries, stationery and wool, magnifying glasses, puppets, posters and other teaching aids. Special thanks to the staff and customers of Kipepeo Beach Resort in Dar es Salaam   March 08    Allison Yearsley has decided to give herself the challenge of running an average of one mile per day running up to her wedding to raise money for Village Africa. There will be 130 days, so 130 miles, or the equivalent of almost 5 marathons!   March 08    Gifts gratefully received from Tanzania and the UK - building gloves, clothing, school stationery, toys, crochet hooks, wool, washing lines and pegs. Special thanks to Skynet Worldwide.   February 08    Village Africa is pleased to report that Swingfield class of Selsted Primary School have exchanged letters with Standard 7 at Yamba School.   February 08    Gifts gratefully received from the USA, Ireland and the UK - medical equipment, medical book, tent, camp beds, blankets, bags, digital camera, garden sprinklers, wool, sewing needles and toiletries. Special thanks to Kids Helping Kids.   January 08    Gifts gratefully received from the Netherlands and the UK - spectacles, medical book, DVD player, CD player, mobile phones, wind up torches, sports kits and equipment, clothing, shoes, jewellery, wool, school posters and other teaching aids, school stationery and toys. Special thanks to Thare Machi Education (a UK based charity) for a portable DVD player and a collection of health education DVDs in Kiswahili and English.   January 08    Teachers at Nelmes Primary School, Hornchurch kindly raised money for Village Africa by not sending Christmas cards.   January 08    Gifts gratefully received from the Netherlands and the UK - wind-up torches, knitting needles, clothing, shoes, noticeboards, calendars, spectacles, children's books and videos, toys, bags, staple guns, a mobile phone and knitting patterns. British Airways kindly gave extra baggage allowance to Village Africa.   December 07    Thank you to Folkestone Rugby Club who donated money, clothes and sports equipment to Village Africa. Thank you very much to 9 year old Charlee who used her birthday money to buy pencils, rulers, rubbers and pencil sharpeners for the children of Yamba.   December 07    Florence Gauvin raised money for Village Africa by having a swear box in her office, collecting small change left in colleagues drawers and kindly donating the extra money she is paid to be a safety warden. Special thanks to Florence and the bankers of Merrill Lynch International.   December 07    Thanks to Helen O'Grady Drama Academy for use of a computer and printer in the UK.  www.helenogrady.co.uk   December 07    Instead of sending Christmas cards, money was donated to Village Africa by a friend of Allison Yearsley (who has twice volunteered for Village Africa).   December 07    University of Exeter students raised money for Village Africa whilst dressed as reindeers in Guildford shopping area.  The University Rag Week International Committee is sending a 12 strong expedition to Yamba in August 2008.  The students have a range of fundraising activities lined up.   December 07    Gifts gratefully received from the UK - jewellery, clothing and school posters.   November 07    The Rotary Club of Tanga kindly donated 50 mosquito nets.  These special nets which do not need treating for five years were distributed at a Village Africa seminar on malaria.  They were given to Village Africa staff and local volunteers who have been improving the access road to Yamba.    November 07    Tina Freeman, a valued Village Africa volunteer, organised a fantastic African night to raise money for Village Africa.  The night included African drumming and African food and was a huge success. Special thanks to Hinkey Island Hotel for donating the venue free of charge and donating the raffle prize of a meal for two. Special thanks to the Tanzanian Embassy for donating 2 beautiful khangas.       November 07    Gifts gratefully received from Tanzania and the UK - school stationery, clothing and shoes. Special thanks to Peponi Beach Resort in Pangani. Special thanks to Skynet, the international courier company.   October 07    Nether Green Junior School in Sheffield raised money at their Autumn Fayre for Village Africa.  Pupils were keen to participate, as their teacher, Melanie Hurt, was still a volunteer teacher in Milingano Primary School.   October 07    Gifts gratefully received from the UK - children's clothing, books and toys.   September 07    Nether Green Junior School in Sheffield raised money for their teacher, Miss Melanie Hurt, to be part of Village Africa's teaching programme.  They did this by sponsoring her to take part in a sports day and by organising a cake stall.   September 07    Upminster Ladies Tangent kindly gave a donation to Village Africa.   Sept 07    Gifts gratefully received from Tanzania and the UK - blankets and sweaters , school posters, school stationery, clothing, shoes, children's books, toys, wool, first aid  equipment and roll mats, toys, games, fancy dress costumes, jewellery, make-up and sports equipment. Special thanks to Ardleigh Green Junior School and its pupils. Special thanks to Kipepeo Beach Resort in Dar es Salaam. Special thanks to Godolphin School. .   Aug 07    Village Africa is very much looking forward to receiving Doug and Moe Brazenall as teaching volunteers in September 2007. They have done a great job of getting friends and contacts involved in raising money for the charity including holding three car boot sales with items for sale donated by friends and neighbours.  A special thank you to: Midlands Counties Athletic Association Alexander Stadium, Birmingham for t-shirts and sweatshirts Coseley School and Sports College for school stationery and skipping ropes HSBC Worcester Branch Zicam Integrated Security of Dudley for covering the cost of flying out the donated clothing. Wolverhampton Wanderers FC & its supporters for large quantity of Wolves shirts. Premier Skills Soccer Coaching (Tony Parkes & Andy McKnight) for 6 x brand new leather footballs. Faye (Aged 6), Laura (13) Louise (15) and school friends for raising money from a sponsored run.   Aug 07    Kate Drew is a teacher who is volunteering with Village Africa for three months, starting in early September 2007. She encouraged 90 school children at Ardleigh Green Junior School, where she taught, to take part in a Sponsored Circuit Challenge. They managed to raise a very large amount of money. They all had a great deal of fun in the process, which involved completing 15 circuit stations twice. Kate also joined in the fitness fun and asked friends and family to sponsor her. We are very grateful to Kate and all the children and their sponsors for their enormous enthusiasm and dedication.       Aug 07    Gifts gratefully received from the Netherlands and the UK - spectacles, clothing, jewellery, memory stick, knitting needles and patterns, toys and a polaroid camera and blankets.  Special thanks to Martins Wood Primary School, Stevenage, Hertfordshire  Also many thanks once again to Skynet and its employees for their latest gifts and transportation. Thanks to Clavering Primary School for the most generous donation. Thanks to Pontesbury-Muheza Link Tina Freeman has produced a short journal of her time teaching in Yamba and is selling it to raise money for Village Africa.   July 07    The container sent from the UK has safely arrived in Tanga and 73 boxes are being transported to Yamba and Milingano.  Many thanks to all who donated, collected, packed and paid shipping on the following items: clothes, shoes, books, stationery, toys, games, walking sticks, crutches, sewing machines, typewriters, tools, spectacles and sleeping bags.   July 07    Gifts gratefully received from Italy, Tanzania and the UK - clothing, bags, toiletries, first aid equipment, jewellery, knitting needles and wool, an electronic notepad, memory stick, walking sticks, spectacles, teaching aids, umbrellas.   July 07    Village Africa is looking forward to receiving the expedition from Goldolphin School in July.  The girls have done an absolutely wonderful job fundraising for Village Africa prior to their departure including holding a fashion show.  Village Africa would like to thank everyone involved in all the fundraising events.    FASHION SHOW REVIEW Clothes were strewn across every chair; every surface; every inch of carpet.  In the months leading up to the final weekend in April, Jerred House became unrecognisable – transformed into a haven of glitter, buttons, ribbons and clothes rails: all in preparation for the charity fashion show – ‘Morphing Fashion’ - in aid of Village Africa and Salisbury Hospice.  Indeed the weekend itself saw the transformation of almost 50 Godolphin girls, from identifiable students into creatures of the unknown.  Pupils and staff throughout the school pulled together to produce this fantastic event, notably Miss Findley, Miss Stone, and Ffion Thomas.  Although careful planning took place prior to the event, the show was organised and choreographed in forty-eight hours – a stressful, yet exhilarating time constraint.  Sixth Form choreographers lives were made somewhat more complicated by the absence of certain girls as they were ferried to and from Sloanes hair salon in town.  As the start time drew nearer, girls began to quieten down, full of anticipation and excitement for the afternoon ahead; the audience took their seats and the lights were dimmed.  The show began.  The performance proved to be a vibrant mixture of the arts: theatre, dance and fashion – an event previously unseen by Godolphin.  None of this could have been possible without the sponsorship provided by Volvo, Sloanes, Desperately Sensible, Barber Thorne Creative and the Wessex Group; nor could it have happened without clothes kindly loaned by Hourglass, Pam Fisher (Godolphin costume mistress), Rose Kennard (Salisbury Antiques Market) and numerous parents.  After the show had finished and the last girl had stepped out of her outfit, students were left with an overwhelming sense of sadness and nostalgia; despite exhaustion beyond even the most vivid imaginations, it was evident that any girl would have done it all over again.  It is fair to say that this had been no ‘quiet weekend in’ at the Godolphin School.  Kate Ballantine Dykes Gazette   June 07    Gifts gratefully received from UK and Tanzania: clothing, shoes, school stationery, knitting and crochet needles, wool, bags, first aid equipment, football, toys, biscuits, digital camera, mini photo printer, video recorder, jewellery.   May 07    Imperial College students have done a fantastic job of raising money for Village Africa during their RAG week.  Not only have they raised a large amount of money; they have also offered to sponsor the Doctor’s salary for a year. This money was raised during “Sports Wednesday” and “The Invasion into London”. Village Africa would like to thank every single person involved in helping to raise these funds.   May 07    Gifts gratefully received from the Australia, Tanzania and the UK - children's videos, toys, clothing and jewellery.   April 07    The Baker family and friends in Hertfordshire are knitting squares to make blankets.   April 07    Gifts gratefully received from the UK - clothing, shoes, bags, teaching aids, school stationery, toys, jewellery, toiletries, books and first aid equipment.  Special thanks to Skynet for generously donating and transporting clothes and shoes.    March 07    Village Africa wishes to thank the “Women of Wilden” for organising a Victorian fundraising evening.  The evening was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by all.   March 07    Tina Freeman is raising money to help Village Africa celebrate its first birthday in May 07 after receiving inspiration from a generous donor. To celebrate, Village Africa will be providing pupils of Yamba Primary School with a true Tanzanian feast including rice, bananas (plantain), cow and/or goat, vegetables, fruit and juice or sodas. Many pupils do not eat lunch and this will be a very welcome and nutritious celebration meal.  Any surplus monies raised will be put into Village Africa’s general funds to help alleviate poverty.   March 07    Gifts gratefully received from Ireland and the UK - school stationery, football, clothing.   Feb 07    Gifts gratefully received from Canada, Australia, Tanzania and the UK - clothing, batteries, torches, bags, school stationery, teaching aids, books, toys, first aid equipment, spectacles, jewellery, science equipment for Yamba Primary School, jewellery, clothing,surgical gloves, laptop, printer, jewellery, medical equipment, spectacles from Canada, clothes from UK. - special thanks to Deer Park North Primary School, Melbourne, Australia, James and Isabelle Carter, Geelong, Australia and Weydon Secondary School, Surrey for science equipment. June 07    Gifts gratefully received from UK and Tanzania: clothing, shoes, school stationery, knitting and crochet needles, wool, bags, first aid equipment, football, toys, biscuits, digital camera, mini photo printer, video recorder, jewellery.   May 07    Imperial College students have done a fantastic job of raising money for Village Africa during their RAG week.  Not only have they raised a large amount of money; they have also offered to sponsor the Clinical Officer's salary for a year. This money was raised during “Sports Wednesday” and “The Invasion into London”. Village Africa would like to thank every single person involved in helping to raise these funds.   May 07    Gifts gratefully received from the Australia, Tanzania and the UK - children's videos, toys, clothing and jewellery.   April 07    The Baker family and friends in Hertfordshire are knitting squares to make blankets.   April 07    Gifts gratefully received from the UK - clothing, shoes, bags, teaching aids, school stationery, toys, jewellery, toiletries, books and first aid equipment.  Special thanks to Skynet for generously donating and transporting clothes and shoes.    March 07    Village Africa wishes to thank the “Women of Wilden” for organising a Victorian fundraising evening.  The evening was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by all.   March 07    Tina Freeman is raising money to help Village Africa celebrate its first birthday in May 07 after receiving inspiration from a generous donor. To celebrate, Village Africa will be providing pupils of Yamba Primary School with a true Tanzanian feast including rice, bananas (plantain), cow and/or goat, vegetables, fruit and juice or sodas. Many pupils do not eat lunch and this will be a very welcome and nutritious celebration meal.  Any surplus monies raised will be put into Village Africa’s general funds to help alleviate poverty.   March 07    Gifts gratefully received from Ireland and the UK - school stationery, football, clothing.   Feb 07    Gifts gratefully received from Canada, Australia, Tanzania and the UK - clothing, batteries, torches, bags, school stationery, teaching aids, books, toys, first aid equipment, spectacles, jewellery, science equipment for Yamba Primary School, jewellery, clothing,surgical gloves, laptop, printer, jewellery, medical equipment, spectacles from Canada, clothes from UK. - special thanks to Deer Park North Primary School, Melbourne, Australia, James and Isabelle Carter, Geelong, Australia and Weydon Secondary School, Surrey for science equipment.   Jan 07    The Lady Olive Baden-Powell Girl Guide Fund made a grant towards Becky Warnock's voluntary work.   Jan 07    Imperial Medics are to raise money for Village Africa at this year's RAG week. Village Africa wishes them every success and hopes they enjoy the week.   Jan 07    Gifts gratefully received: pens collected by Mrs Sally Walsh.   Jan 07    Tina Freeman, a volunteer due in Yamba in April 07, has been energetically fundraising for Village Africa via some very creative methods including: Home baking, hand made cards, card making evenings, quiz night, cyber football dvd, raffle, wear it purple day and she has also been helped by her local Scout group. Village Africa would like to thank Tina and everyone who has helped her for their amazing efforts.   Jan 07    Gifts gratefully received: clothing, shoes, school stationery and children's books.   Dec 06    Village Africa would like to thank 1st Bourne Girl Guide Company for completing a sponsored silence to raise money for the communities of Yamba and Milingano. The sponsored silence was kindly arranged by Village Africa volunteer, Becky Warnock.   Dec 06    Gifts gratefully received: laptop, rain gauges and thermometers, clothing, mobile phones, jewellery, toys, baseball caps and keyrings.   Dec 06     The children at Newton Solney Infant School in Derbyshire raised money for Village Africa by donating money instead of giving each other Christmas cards.  Thank you, children.   Dec 06    Claire Lewis has successfully completed the Nottingham Robin Hood half marathon which she ran for Village Africa. Village Africa is extremely grateful for Claire's energetic efforts.   Nov 06    Gifts gratefully received: household equipment, school stationery, clothing and bags.   Nov 06    In November 2006 a donor is very kindly donating a week's pension money to Village Africa. Village Africa would like to thank him for his donation.   Oct 06    Village Africa would like to thank Megan Williams for sending donations of spectacles and children's clothing. These are to be handed out to villagers who have volunteered their time to help Village Africa clear land for the first project accommodation.   Oct 06    Some arty pencils were sold on Ebay to raise money for Village Africa.  Village Africa would like to thank the donor for their contribution.   Oct 06    A cupboard owned by the late Mr Ernest Slack has been kindly sold to raise money for Village Africa.   Sept 06    Village Africa would like to thank Mayer, Brown, Rowe and Maw LLP for its generous donation.   Sept 06    Gifts gratefully received: children's books.   Sept 06    In September 2006 a donor sold some shares in order to donate some money to Village Africa.  Village Africa is very grateful for this money.   Summer 06    A great big thank you to Joe Hill who for his birthday, instead of birthday presents asked for sports equipment for Village Africa schools. Joe said "I have enough toys and these children don't have any".   Aug 06    The Prince of Wales Pub, Old Stevenage kindly allowed free use of their garden and Allison Yearsley arranged a fun day for friends and family in aid of Village Africa. Children played on the discounted bouncy castle. Thank you Allison.   Aug 06    In August 2006, donations of sweaters, clothing and accessories were distributed to villagers who had volunteered their time and energy to help clear the project site.  Donations of mobile phones have been given to Village Africa Tanzanian staff to use for the project.   Aug 06    Gifts gratefully received: clothes, mobile phones, jewellery, first aid book, tourist guide book.   July 06    Gift gratefully received: bedding.   July 06    Allison Yearsley's friends and family participated in a sponsored walk. They walked 15 miles for Village Africa.  Village Africa thanks them for every step.   May-Aug 06    Joanna Elgar, a Village Africa volunteer raised a large amount of money for Village Africa through some very innovative fundraising methods. Money for Village Africa was raised through an art auction in Derby. There was work sold by local professional and amateur artists. Joanna organised  a pub quiz at the Joiners' Arms in Quarndon, Derby who also hosted the art auction free of charge. Joanna made and sold 100 birthday cards. A sponsored treasure  hunt for Village Africa took place around Chaddesden.  Pride Park  (Derby County Football Stadium) donated match tickets which were used as prizes for the treasure hunt. Joanna Elgar and Beki Warwick raised money by bravely running the Chester Half Marathon. Cherry Tree Infants School, Chaddesden, Derby made a money mountain out of paper mache, trying to get their teacher (Miss Elgar) to the top. Well done everyone! The Friendship Group at St Barnabas Church, Derby raised money for Village Africa through a collection of loose change. Karen Ault, who runs a kids club called "Rainbows" in Castle Donnington, Derby arranged for the children to do a sponsored swim at the local College pool. The children bravely completed 20 lengths and were sponsored by their friends and families. Well done everyone. Village Africa would like to thank Joanna for arranging these fundraising activities.   May 06    Richard Elgar, Tim Elgar, Emily Green and Matt Schofield ran the Derby 10k run to raise money for Village Africa.  They were very successful in their fundraising and Village Africa thanks them for their energetic efforts.   May 06    Gifts gratefully received: children's books and reference books.   May-June 06    At Martins Wood Primary School, Stevenage, Hertfordshire the pupils participated in a sponsored read and arranged a loose change collection to raise money for Village Africa. Well done everyone Village Africa thanks them for their participation and enthusiasm. Village Africa would also like to thank teacher Miss Yearsley for arranging these activities.   Apr-July 06    Bex Lander, a teacher at Upminster Infants School and a volunteer for Village Africa arranged for the pupils to have an Easter egg roll. Each pupil donated 20p to Village Africa. The school also had a Village Africa stall at the school fete including a "Guess the African Elephant's name" competition On top of these inventive ideas the children also made Fridays "Penny Friday" which consisted of filling a bottle with pennies every Friday and they also filled a Kilimanjaro mountain with loose change.  Village Africa would like to thank both the children and their teacher Miss Lander for raising money for Yamba Primary School.