If you want to have a *video call* with Amadou on WhatsApp, don't hesitate to use his number: +220 513 5275 (Timezone: GMT)

You don't believe me? Ask Amadou yourself. Let him show you his family, a house they're living in, their neighbourhood.. I didn't believe him either at the beginning, but it changed when I got to know him better.

Please, don't misjudge him lightly!

*Who asks for help?*

A Catholic family from Gambia asks for your help. Amadou, his siblings and his grandma struggle to afford food and to pay a rent for their room. They can't afford the education of the siblings. Without a proper education, or wealthy parents, in Gambia you're out of luck.

*Amadou's story*

Amadou lost both of his parents in 2011 in a car accident and he suddenly became a head of his family at age of 11. The parents orphaned 3 of their children: Amadou – the oldest, and the daughters: Isatou and Fatoumatter. He was supposed to give up school and to support his family from that day on. With help from his grandma in her 80s, and his loyal donkey, he started collecting wood in Brikama's forests and selling it at the local market. Unfortunately, such work became illegal due to the new "anti deforestation policies" of the islamic Gambian government. Having no other choice, Amadou continued his efforts under the cover of night as long as he could - risking spending 3 years in prison if he would get caught. There was no way this brave young man would leave his family to starve to death.

Their situation became even more complicated in 2022. An unexpected visitor paid a visit to Amadou's house, assisted by two children who just lost their father. Deceased father of these 2 siblings was the younger brother of Amadou's father. His death made Amadou the oldest male in his family and a new father of the orphans: a boy – Jones, and a girl – Ratatouille.

Few months ago, the donkey died leaving Amadou's family with small chances of survival.

Now, there are 5 of them orphans. And a grandma in her 90s.

*Fundraiser goals*

• Cover the living costs of the family, to allow Amadou to focus on learning new skills and on getting a good job,
• 15.000 GMD / month; Pay a house rent and change the house to a better one - with an access to a fresh water (water allows you to grow valuable fruits like bananas and to earn money by selling them on a market); currently Amadou need to pay 6.000 GMD / month, but a better house cost is at least 15.000 GMD / month,
• 15.000 GMD / month; Pay a school for the siblings: 15.000 GMD / month so that they could get a decent job when they finish the school; 45.000 GMD / year / child.
• 20.000 GMD / month; Pay for the food to keep the family alive and healthy.
• 7.000 GMD / month; Pay for the clothes and basic house equipment.
• 20.000 GMD (one time); Pay for a laptop to allow Amadou and his siblings to learn on-line.
• 6.000 GMD / month; Pay for the Fatou's stomach ulcer treatment.

*Food prices in Brikama, Gambia - for reference*

• Bag of rice 50kg: 3000 GMD (~45 EUR*),
• Bag of onion 20kg: 1800 GMD,
• Bag of sweet potatoes: 2000 GMD,
• Bottle of oil 20litre: 2500 GMD.

23/08/2023, 17:34 UTC

*1 GMD = 0,015 EUR / 1 EUR = 66,11 GMD