Sue and Phil Taylor's work with Nursery and Lower Basic Schools

Sue Taylor is a retired primary school teacher, and her husband Phil formerly ran his own engineering business. Over the last two years they have set up a small sand transport and construction company in The Gambia. In addition to this they have started to help equip some Gambian schools with outdoor play items.

In April 2010 Sue used her contacts at schools in their area and asked them to donate any unwanted, suitable outdoor play equipment. There was an excellent response from all over Teesside, North Yorkshire and also from Leicestershire, and by August there was enough to fill one container. They used a local non-profit organisation, Rebuild North East in Teesport, to collect, store and pack the equipment, and it was ready to send to The Gambia in October 2010.

The first school to benefit was Ahmed Manjang`s Sheik Hatab Memorial Nursery (SHM) in Gunjur. In January 2011, Sue, Phil and their grandchildren visited SHM, where they set up the play equipment. Sue worked alongside the teachers helping them to structure the outside play activities so that all the children get a chance to learn to play and co-operate.
 

play equipment in use at Sheik Hatab Memorial Nursery School

In March 2011 they visited Gunjur Lower Basic School to identify their needs, which were mainly furniture. Sue and Phil also gave a small amount of play equipment to a primary school in Brusubi and worked with the staff there. They are hoping to provide them with more play equipment and computers.

Sue and Phil are planning to send another container this year, and then hope to send one container each year. They have contacted UK schools which are due to close, and have secured a large quantity of tables, chairs, tray units, shelves and bookcases from a school which is being demolished this summer. These items are enough to fill at least one container, and will be collected and stored by Rebuild North East pending shipment. They are also looking for outdoor play equipment (swings, slides. climbing equipment) and small play items (bats, balls, ropes, hoops, Lego etc). 

Sue and Phil financed the first container themselves, but for this next container, and future shipments, they will be looking for other sources of funding.

How you can help

Anyone with suitable furniture or play equipment to donate, or who can suggest where it might be available, please email Sue & Phil

They are also looking for donations to help pay shipment costs. if you would like to make a donation, please contact them, or use the button below to donate online with your credit or debit card.

Click the 'Donate' button to make a donation to help with the costs of shipping Sue and Phil's containers to The Gambia. This takes you to a Virgin Money Giving page, where you should click on 'Donate now'. Donations will be kept separate and used only for the this project.

Projects in the Gunjur area