May 2010
Yet another great walk: 200 miles of spectacular countryside from the Clyde to the Scottish Lowlands, Cumbria, the Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales. What a beautiful country we live in! Brave souls Miranda Wilson, Caroline Sykes, Katie Cecil and Arthur Manners who walked for two days faced the only day of rain of the entire walk so far high up on the Pennines. Not a complaint was heard. We hope to raise about £7000. A tremendous effort. Thanks to all who took part or sponsored a walker. Next stage: from Garsdale in the Yorkshire Dales to Presteigne, Powys (home of Rainbow), down the Pennines, across Shropshire and along Offas Dyke. Walkers for any part of this section welcome. (See Sponsored Walks for photos and Big Walk for details)

April 2010
We successfully filled and shipped out a 40 ft container to Nouakchott, capital of Mauritania, filled with implements for our well drilling program as well as other items. The contents of the container were: a large electric drill, a submersible pump (donated by WB & AD Morgan ), a wheeled water bowser, an electric transformer and circuit breaker, safety gear, ropes and hand tools, 4 computers (from Computer Aid ),12 tractor tyres and tubes and 12 vehicle tyres and tubes (for project use and the use of partner ADMAPE), veterinary equipment and other mixed items. All the material was received in port and transported to Leqceiba, ADMAPE's base, in southern Mauritania.

December 2009
Evaluation has indicated that incomes for families involved with the project are up by a huge 30%. This includes vegetables both consumed and sold. The women report that they now have surplus cash for schooling and medicines, as well as some welcome extra money for themselves. People are eating a healthier diet and feel motivated and inspired. A fifth year has now been added to the project so that its successes can be widely disseminated. A high-profile workshop is planned to which local radio and regional dignitaries are invited as well as members of other local women’s groups, who will subsequently receive agronomic and management training on their own lands. Contrary to common experience in this poor region of northern Senegal, this project has shown that with good management and using low-cost organic farming techniques, intensive, irrigated farming can be made to pay.

December 2009
This year has seen huge deluges of rain sweep away 50% of the rice crops. This disaster was quickly followed by vast flocks of quelea birds, which not only preyed on the remaining rice, but have also started decimating the millet crops planted in the receding waters of the floods. This just goes to show how difficult life is in the Mid-Gorgol region and why the Community Project is so apt, helping farmers find more efficient ways of working their land. We have helped them dig rain-catchment barriers, use donkey ploughs and incorporate compost in their soils. Livestock health in the region is poor due to high densities of animals and so we are in the process of creating vaccination parks. For those who need 'to see to believe', our rice test crops have demonstrated that using compost instead of purchased fertilisers increases yields and requires less water. This five-year project is in its second year and is developing well.

December 2009
It is becoming increasingly apparent that climate change is actually leading to increased precipitation in the Sahel, the region just south of the Sahara in which we work. But this rain is increasingly coming in great deluges, as it has this year, instead of being spread out over a number of months. This leads to unprecedented flooding and loss of whole crops as well as many other problems. Between the downpours are periods of drought. The drylands of Africa are highly susceptible to climate change, which is why adaptation to its effects must be deeply embedded in the work we do. On top of this, though, it is important that the world takes the right steps in reducing carbon emissions and so lessens the effects of climate change. We have been actively advocating for this, lobbying MPs as part of a campaign to promote an International Development Manifesto drawn up by NGO umbrella group, BOND; being an active participant in the 350.org carbon emission reduction campaign; and joining the Big Wave London climate rally on 5th December.