- Non-profit organization
- Voluntary organization
- Public benefit organization/li>
- Foundation
About Us
HELPING was formed by Chris and Margaret Meeks after they visited The Gambia on holiday in 1998.
They saw children struggling to be taught in basic conditions, and on their return to the UK, were determined to improve children’s life chances by raising awareness and funds.
Since then, the Charity has built and maintained thriving nurseries in The Gambia’s poorest areas, providing training for and employing, local salaried teachers.
HELPING has a sponsorship scheme which enables supporters to help to feed and educate children and to pay their teachers.
We are proud that every single penny of funds raised is spent on children’s welfare and supporting local projects.
The Charity is deliberately kept small to allow Chris and Margaret to retain a very personal approach, supported by their family and a small group of volunteers. They travel to The Gambia every year, at their own expense, visiting the Charity’s projects to ensure that funds are used appropriately.
Sponsored children and their families are visited by Helping staff, who also meet with village elders to compile a waiting list of the most-needy children who require sponsors to enable them to go to school. By taking this hands-on approach, every child is personally known to them.
The Meeks family is in daily contact with trusted Gambian staff who manage our Local Projects.
