The Derek Bailey Foundation

Joan Bailey - Treasurer
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My involvement with The Gambia started during a short holiday in 1993 when quite by chance I was invited by Famara to visit his home in the somewhat remote village of Nyofelleh. It’s a poor country, but the people are delightful and I spent much of the remaining part of my holiday at the village getting to know Famara’s family and the villagers. After visiting once or twice a year for more than 15 years, I have developed a deep respect and love for our many Gambian friends and together with Famara and Clara, we were involved in bringing many of our friends together and forming The Derek Bailey Foundation, named after my late husband. As a retired SRN, and District Nurse I am really enthusiastic about helping with any medical development with a special interest in the health care and education of children and women.

Clara Beattie - Trustee
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I lived in The Gold Coast now called Ghana for 5 years and first visited The Gambia in 1953, when Banjul was then called Bathurst. It was a very poor country then. I and Joan have subsequently had many holidays in The Gambia when we first met Famara whom we both see as part of our extended family.

I have always enjoyed my involvement with the charity and although I have not visited The Gambia since celebrating my 90th birthday, 7 years ago, I remain committed to continue to support the charity in all of their work.

Ian and Dawn Mansfield - Trustees
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Ian and Dawn are recent visitors to the Gambia and they have just offered to help as trustees in our work to fight the elimination of Malaria and poverty.

Ian is a Trustee within the Scout movement and both Ian and Dawn have just received an award for 25 years service.

They also work very hard within the church with young people leading. Sunday School in both the Methodist and the Anglican Church.

Fay and Terry Crawshaw - Trustees
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Our first visit to The Gambia was a holiday and we found the Gambian people that we met to be happy and friendly, although it was clear to see when leaving the complex that many of them lived in poverty. The following year we returned and met Joan Bailey who invited me to the village of Nyofelleh to visit a school that she had set up.

After a very bumpy journey through tracks filled with potholes we spent a happy but exhausting day with the schoolchildren and villagers, dancing singing and enjoying their hospitality.  It was clearly evident that although very poor in material wealth they were rich in spirit. This was a more intimate Gambia to what we had previously seen and we wanted more.

We became involved with The Derek Bailey Foundation and have had many return visits and as you can see from the History page, we have been involved in many worthwhile projects which we are sure have enhanced the lives of our Gambian Friends.

We have witnessed the deep commitment of families as they have cared for each another and have shared joys but also many sorrows with families as they have mourned the loss of loved ones, particularly the loss of young children and young adults who have fallen victim to malaria.

We know that with the help of our sponsors and Gambian friends we can accomplish much more to assist with the health and education of the Gambian people and look forward to continuing our work there.

Famara Demba - Gambian Advisor
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I have worked closely with the trustees and was instrumental in inviting the trustees of the Derek Bailey Foundation to start their work in the village of Nyofelleh. I also acted as a liaison between the charity and the community leaders on approved projects and provided ongoing feedback reports to the Trustees over the years. I am currently working in the United States while I continue to serve the Charity on the aforesaid capacity. I long for the day that I would devote my time to this noble cause on a full-time basis.

Stephen Leadbetter - Chairman
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I have been involved in the Derek Bailey Foundation since 1999 and was actively involved in the registration of the Derek Bailey Foundation as a charity. I am a frequent visitor to The Gambia.