ABOUT US

Initiated in 2001 with a committee of experienced local Gambians, presently consisting of retired head teachers, parents, senior nurse, deputy mayor and a staff representative. We are an officially registered charity in Gambia.

Hart House is a "purpose built" 2 storey building (25 by 14 metres) which was completed around the summer of 2002. Financed by an English director Mr. Geoff Hunwicks, who sold his family home to move to The Gambia; live and set up the project (which has been partly financed by him for sustainability and development).

The project is always seeking assistance of any kind (especially during the 'closed' tourist season).



The home is the first and only one of its kind in The Gambia, situated 20 km from the capital of Banjul and in a village that has still to get electricity, water and telephone lines.

The only other similar facility is a Methodist run Special Needs Unit catering for children and adults, Monday-Friday for day care with most users being transported in.

Geoff, the director, has 30 years experience in this area with all ages and types of learning difficulties especially the severe/profound as well as practicing holistic massage therapy. He worked as a volunteer in Bethlehem for 2 years in a similar home having to return to look after his 'ailing' father.

THE BUILDING

The ground floor is reserved for children - at least 16 could reside - with 4 bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, large sitting room, 3 classrooms, an office, activity room, equipment room, resources room, bathroom, shower and 2 toilets.

The first floor contains the Geoff's living area, guest/volunteer sitting room, 4 guest/volunteer bedrooms, showers, a bath and toilets. There is also a conference room and massage room (idea is to develop it to include a keep fit and medical area).

Most of these areas have developed since 2002 as facilities (e.g. cupboards for storage etc. have improved). Chairs, tables etc. have come mostly through donations in cash and kind.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The executive committee is presently composed of 9 people who are Geoff, the director, secretary, treasurer, social organisers, parent members, health worker and a staff representative. Committee meeting are held monthly in the home.

STAFFING

Presently 11 staff members
- 3 teachers
- 3 care workers
- 2 watchmen
- 1 nanny
- 1 cook / cleaner
- 1 maid

All staff members have a general job description, mode of conduct, time keeping etc., and a specific job description.

English proficiency among staff is in varying degrees and academic staff have limited education and have been trained 'on the job' and progression can be slow and at different rates. Opportunities exist for self-improvement and staff training and regular meetings are held. Staff training includes use of special equipment and supervision with assignments involving children with epilepsy, assessment, teaching methods and parental involvement.

FUNDING

Many hours and kilometres have been spent over the past few years to improve the funding situation for the home and though much has been promised by many people and businesses there is minimal delivery.

Funding mostly comes from tourist related activities during the months of November to April. Such funding is generated in the form of:

- raffles at bars and restaurants
- coach visits
- table selling local craft items
- donations from tourists due to leafleting hotels etc.
- hotel quiz nights


The other forms of funding comes from a group of people with learning difficulties in England (Christmas panto, donation box, coffee mornings, sale of craft items), some sponsored children, some cash donations, a little help from local businesses in terms of cash and kind, and special donations to pay for certain items such as furniture. Items have been sent by various people from toiletries, clothes to games and kitchen equipment.

EXPENSES

Some children need to be on a special diet which needs to be monitored as well but due to our current financial constraints this is not always possible.

As some families do not always pay good attention to their children and cannot wholly be relied upon to take necessary steps in terms of quick investigation, payment of medication, regular trips to hospital (physiotherapy, eye tests etc.), so we feel obliged to take it upon ourselves to do these things which families, due to a number of factors, find difficult to do.

Extra expenses for the home has been a 12.5 PK generator, a well (bore hole), continuous problems with leaking a leaking roof and windows during the rainy season. One water tank on the roof has proved insufficient to supply the needs of the home for a whole day (water is pumped up from the well to the roof by the generator) therefore requiring fuel expenses to refill during the day with the generator being on for 2 hours a day.

BREAKDOWN OF MONTHLY EXPENSES

                                   D
Fuel                             6,000 
Staffing                        14,000
Food                            12,000 
Other (medical, telephone etc,) 15,000