The following items are sought to by GambiaHELP to improve the lives of the Gambian villagers. Items brought to the villages are treasured, as they have, literally, almost nothing. Please know that whatever you donate will be very meaningful in the lives of the villagers. Items are shipped annually in November.

School Supplies (for individual children) – many children have no supplies at all
Bound notebooks or tablets (spiral, tear off, etc.). The students generally lack binders.
Loose paper in wrappers (for teachers to distribute)
Pencils and pens
Rulers, protractors. compasses
Scissors and glue
Backpacks for the above
Treasured: Color pencils, construction paper, crayons

Classroom and Teacher Supplies – almost all classrooms lack teaching aids
Text books (reading, math, science) (Phonics books are extra special)
Flash cards, posters
Teaching aids (almost any kind)
Blackboards and chalk
Wall maps, esp. world maps (need not be current)
Wall photos of educational value (e.g., volcanoes, fish, animals)
Scissors, staplers, paper cutters
Treasured: Computers, monitors, printers (need not be new, but must work)
Treasured: Science equipment (microscopes, balances, thermometers, skeletons, biology or chemistry wall charts, science demo kits, etc.)

Library Supplies – many schools have no library
Bookshelves
Books (children's storybooks, reference books, just about any book of potential interest to school aged kids. Please no books on religion, diets, cooking, gardening, or investments)
Treasured: Dictionaries and atlases (need not be new)

General
Sandals or tennis shoes (flip flops, gel sandals, crocs - prevent hookworm)
Children's clothes (summer weight - it's hot there)
Toys (cars and trucks, dolls, jump ropes, no batteries or 1000 piece puzzles)
For women and men: inexpensive jewelry (they love gold-tone) and watches (used are fine)
Treadle sewing machines
Treasured: Any useful solar powered equipment or lights
Treasured: Soccer balls, soccer shoes, soccer shirts, soccer anything

Some suggestions:
Sponsor a campaign and drive to collect specific items. Distribute this Needs List to your colleagues – fellow scientists, thinkers, teachers, roofers, parents' groups, yoga clubs, church groups, CABI parties, etc. Post in common areas kitchens, reception areas, etc. Be sure to list an in-house coordinator and contact information. Place boxes for donations or otherwise communicate where and how people are to place donated items. Call GambiaHELP to arrange a pickup.

Contact schools for end of year books and supplies – your children's and others. Suggest they collect left over school supplies from departing students –spiral bound notebooks, writing instruments, etc. Text books that will be replaced for the next school year will be greatly appreciated and will likely be the first text books the children have ever seen. Maps and atlases that will be replaced will grace the barren walls of the Gambian schools.

Collect money – all items are shipped by sea van to The Gambia. Each van shipment costs about $8000, door to door. If you wish to take on a specific fund raising project, e.g., a chicken farm, a sewing center, a school, library, solar panel for a village without electricity, a merry-go-round powered well, playground equipment, etc., contact GambiaHELP.

To make a cash donation to this project use the Pay Pal link below.

GambiaHELP is a 501(c)(3) organization. All personnel are volunteers, including its full time director, Shelby Tarutis. 100% of any contribution goes directly to its programs. www.gambiaHELP.org.