A local charity that supports a village in Tanzania is getting ready to celebrate its 40th anniversary. Bridgnorth African Project (BAP) was conceived during Christian Aid week 1975 by members of Bridgnorth churches, and linked with the Tanzanian village of Sikonge in 1976. The charity’s guiding principle is that the people of Sikonge know their priorities best; when they needed vocational training for their young people, BAP financed the construction of the Bridgnorth Friendship Workshop to teach practical skills. This was opened in 1977 by the first President of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere; since then, the partnership has provided resources such as a school, 11 wells, and sports equipment.
Secretary Derek Cole (WW! Local hero back in July 2012) tells us, “As we approach our 40th anniversary, we need to continue our work in the provision of clean water; so all money raised throughout 2016 will help to provide a well at Sikonge Hospital.”
One way to help the charity is to buy Derek’s annual quiz book from Bridgnorth Library. For details of BAP, email Derek at cole.farmlands@live.co.uk.
