The Constant Gardener Trust Newsletter

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Welcome to the second edition of our newsletters updating all our donors and supporters with our current Trust activities. Since the first newsletter at the end of last year, we have made progress on the school in Loiyangalani and started up new initiatives in Kibera. We have also started to work together with other charitable organizations on the ground on our projects, to provide better use of resources and establish a means of communication for shared knowledge. Here’s a breakdown of what’s been going on…

Queues of patients being registered A quiet space for pediatric treatment	In Kibera Medical Camp We are delighted to report that our first medical camp, in the playground of the Raila Education Centre in Kibera, was a great success. During the course of two days, 17 medical staff (with the help of about the same number of administration staff) treated 1,604 patients and prescribed and handed out essential drugs and medicines, as well as giving referrals to the more serious cases to be treated at the local hospitals. Our sincere thanks go to everyone who helped make this camp possible, particularly the doctors and nurses from Kenyatta Hospital, who worked long and hard to ensure all the patients had the very best treatment. After the success of this first medical camp, we want to establish a regular camp at this site and others in Kibera. We will need to raise more money to ensure that this is possible. Toilets and Shower Blocks We are currently preparing a business model to build a franchise system for our toilet blocks in Kibera following on from the four we have already built, which are now run as self sustaining businesses by families and community and youth groups. It is important to us that everything we build is taken over by the community, for the benefit of the community. More news on this hopefully in the next newsletter.

Building the classroom. Delighted pupils in class.	In Loiyangalani The secondary school in Loiyangalani now consists of 2 Classrooms, 2 dormitories, an administration block, a dining area with kitchen, and of course, our specialty, toilets and shower blocks! From January, two classes of children will be taught at the school. We have a government provided Head teacher, the local community has rallied to provide teachers from the area for the main subjects, as well as the Heads of the local Primary School also doing their bit in making sure the core courses are covered. So that a new year’s intake of pupils can be received at the school, we need to raise funds to build another classroom as well as further dormitories by the spring of next year. We continue to lobby the Government, at local and national level, in order that they take full responsibility for the day to day running of the school – more teachers, and more equipment, are urgently needed. Our representations have been successful to date and the school has had assistance through the local MPs Constituency Development Fund. We continue to press for further Governmental support. http://www.edenproject.com/education/2217.html

Annie Channing Williams (wife of Simon) and members of the Loiyangalani Women’s Groups.	Trust Shop – ‘Sweet Charity’ Sweet Charity, based in Marazion, Cornwall, is run by Annie Channing Williams (wife of Simon, Producer) and sells crafts and artifacts, which are brought over from Kenya. Much of the beaded jewellery sold in the shop is made by the Women’s Groups in Loiyangalani. Profits from the shop come directly to the Trust, and the women in Loiyangalani are always delighted to see us after we’ve sold their beautiful jewellery for UK prices – every penny goes directly back to the groups! Sweet Charity, Rosario Tea Gardens, Marazion, Cornwall (opposite St Michael’s Mount)

Harry & his uncle Simon	Fundraising The last few months have also been busy for us on the fundraising front. The biggest news for us is that John le Carré and his publishers, Hodder Headline, have very generously given all income from the sale of The Constant Gardener Charity Edition over to The Constant Gardener Trust. This special edition includes forewords by Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, John le Carré, Fernando Meirelles, Fergal Keane and Sir Edward Clay, giving insights into their experiences of the film, their experiences in Africa, and the work the Trust is doing. We’d definitely recommend buying this just for the extra material alone, but please do support the Trust by buying it for family and friends even if you have a copy already. Here’s a handy link to, http://www.amazon.co.uk/ so if you want to, you can do just that. It goes without saying that we cannot thank John le Carré, or Hodder Headline, enough. Such a generous, ongoing donation will make so much difference to what we are able to plan in the future for the communities we’re working with. THANK YOU. In March we hosted our annual Oscar Party event at the marvellous Union Club in Soho, watching the awards show into the early hours of the night and guessing the winners of those much coveted statues!!. Huge thanks to Michala and everyone at The Union, who worked really hard and really rather late in order for us to hold this hugely enjoyable event. www.unionclub.co.uk Last week, we were delighted that one of our Patrons, Ralph Fiennes, in partnership with Ruthie and Richard Rogers from The River Café, held an exclusive evening combining delicious food with a unique opportunity to see Ralph performing a Samuel Beckett monologue. A big thank you to Ruthie and Richard, and to Ralph, for all your support. Last month, 13 year old Harry Robinson completed the Coast 2 Coast, a gruelling three day 150 mile bike ride crossing the country and raising £1,600! Harry is the youngest person to have taken part in this ride, and we were really proud that he wore a specially designed Constant Gardener Trust t-shirt for the race. Well done Harry, and a HUGE thank you for choosing us as your charity of choice. (And we hope you’ve recovered from both the ride and the shock of speaking to Ralph Fiennes on the phone!)

	Forthcoming Events: We are planning, in the near future, to hold another auction (our last auction raised over £40,000, which almost pays for the entire build of the first phase of the school!) Gina Johnson, of Chocolate Couture www.chocolate-couture.com has very kindly donated a hand-crafted pendant, to be designed and created with the successful bidder. Have a look at her jewellery, it is FAB. Thank you so much Gina!

	Responsible Filmmaking ‘The Last King of Scotland’, was released in October. The film makers have also decided to help the region that they filmed in and are specifically supporting two charitable organizations that they met while in Uganda. More information about these can be found on our links page, so do have a look. At The Constant Gardener Trust, as members of the film community, we believe that filmmakers have a special privilege, and therefore a responsibility to give something back to the communities that welcome them during the filmmaking process. We are working towards encouraging filmmakers to try and channel these great opportunities in ways that benefit the communities in which they work. The examples and working practices of crews should strive to enhance the lives and well being of people in the locations that are used.

YOU! We are continually touched by the donations and efforts of our supporters and donors who decide to support the Trust having heard about us through the press or on this website. Could you be the next person or company to raise money for us? Do you have ideas for fundraising activities? Any particular gift to donate for auction? Could you put our link on your website? We’d love to hear from you, corporate sponsors or sponsored silences, it all adds up. Particular thanks in this newsletter to Archie Brown’s delicious restaurant in Penzance for holding a charity meal and auction www.archiebrowns.co.uk, to Marazion Friends, and a long overdue special thanks to The Mighty Fin www.themightyfin.com, for such a fantastic pantomime and such a generous donation. (He’s BEHIND you)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT – Keep watching this space for more updates.