The Constant Gardener Trust Newsletter

[Issue 1] [Issue 2] [Issue 3]

Welcome to the third of our newsletters updating all our donors and supporters on our current Constant GardenerTrust activities.
Neto delivers emergency supplies to the displaced persons camp Queues of displaced people outside the camp	At the time of going to press, we, like the rest of the world, are following the progress of the presidential election aftermath in Kenya with anxiety and no small amount of horror at the almost daily conflicts. In regular contact with our Kenyan co-ordinator Neto Agostinho and our Kenyan based trustee Mario Zvan, we are also able to keep up with their bird’s eye view of the situation from a more personal perspective than that which CNN can provide. As a result of this we have provided a large number of blankets and sanitary products which the Red Cross teams operating within the refugee communities in the centre of Nairobi have said are particularly needed. We hope that a resolution to the political situation will eventually be found, and will update you further on our future plans within Kibera once we know properly what the extent of the damage is. We are of course committed spending your money on long term, well researched solutions. Here’s a breakdown of what else has been going on…

Ayany group woman spinning wool for making rugs	In Kibera Marketing Courses The Ayany Women’s Group, of which we are huge fans, is a group that makes, among other more traditional rugs, recycled plastic bag rag rugs, using the waste bags that litter the slums. These bags, once collected and cleaned are cut into thin strips and made into colourful, waterproof rugs. The Constant Gardener Trust continues to support this enterprising group. Tucked away in Kibera, the ladies have a great product but are finding it hard to increase their customer base outside of word of mouth. Might you have a contact who could help this hard working group market their wonderful product? For more details on the group and their products, contact us here at The Constant Gardener Trust. Rugs are currently stocked in the UK at ‘Sweet Charity’ in Cornwall. Medical Camps We are ready to hold our next medical camp next month. Although the violence and unrest in Kibera is very much current, we feel now would be a good time to hold the camp, which will provide much needed medical attention for some of the poorest people in Nairobi, at a time when others might not feel comfortable enough to intervene.We now aim to hold a regular medical camp three times a year.

Neto and Simon with elders of Loiyangalani and advisors from education ministry	In Loiyangalani The Board of Governors has now been elected, with our Kenyan coordinator, Neto Agostinho, as a member of the Board. The School now has two staff fully funded by the Ministry of Education, and three more that are 50% funded, with the balance made up by the school itself. We will start working with voluntary organisations in order to be able to send both British and Kenyan teaching students and volunteers out to help. We have now built Headmaster’s and Matron’s quarters on site to provide 24hr staff supervision on site (previously there was simply 24hr security). We have also built another, double sized classroom, which can be partitioned for class learning, or used as a large space for activities such as games, PE, drama or large assemblies. Further work for this year includes capping a new well from the main Loiyangalani water source, in accordance with local water regulations, to provide water which can be pumped direct to the school rather than carried. We are working closely with The Good Earth Trust, who are pioneering a new brick making technology which involves the pressing and “curing” of blocks from local soil, and “slotting” these blocks together to form a strong building, without the need of a great deal of cement. Obviously this technology would not only reduce our transport and general costs, but would provide the local community with a new skill which could be used further for the benefit of the people. Look out in our next newsletter for more news on this partnership. Find out more about The Good Earth Trust at; www.goodearthtrust.org.uk

Annie Channing Williams (wife of Simon) and members of the Loiyangalani Women’s Groups.	Trust Shop – ‘Sweet Charity’ Annie Channing Williams and Chrissie Perry are still working hard in Cornwall, selling a delightful and eclectic range of locally made handicrafts from all over Kenya. Go and visit the shop, in the gorgeous little town of Marazion, opposite St Michael’s Mount, in Cornwall. Open from Easter to the end of October. Sweet Charity, Rosario Tea Gardens, Marazion, Cornwall (opposite St Michael’s Mount) Open from 11am to 6pm Easter til mid September, and 12noon to 4pm winter until Christmas Eve.

	THANK YOU In April 2007 the international fashion and lifestyle company Strellson, which has its headquarters in Switzerland, carried out two fashion shoots in Nairobi, in Kibera, among other places. The whole team was very impressed by the friendliness and support of the Kenyans. Strellson image campaigns have been photographed all over the world for years, but Africa was unforgettable. Because of this, Strellson organised an exhibition of photographs of Nairobi and Kibera, to coincide with the publication of its first magazine in September 2007 and the launch party in Munich. All the proceeds from the exhibition have been donated to “The Constant Gardener Trust” and given to the people of Kibera. The Trust will supervise the use of the money in Kibera. Further information about Strellson and the “No. 1 Strellson Magazine” can be found at www.strellson.com Strellson have been incredibly generous in their support of our Trust, and in turn will make a big difference to the lives of the people in Kibera. Our heartfelt thanks go to Kristina and all her colleagues at Strellson. ANOTHER huge THANK YOU to Layla and Jim, who have asked their wedding guests to donate to The Constant Gardener Trust instead of buying presents. We hope you both have a fabulous day, and a wonderful happy future together. 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. Do get in touch with us at info@tcgcharity.com if you can help.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT – let your friends know about us, and ask them to sign up for the newsletter updates. Spread the word!