Contact Address:
Opera Africa
Kanifing Housing Estate
Kanifing Municipality, Ksmd
Banjul area Head office
PO Box 4527, Bakau
The Gambia, West Africa
Tel no: +220 7283266
9989210
Email: info@operafrica.com
paul@operafrica.com
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Information: The
Opera Africa charity is a registered non-governmental
organization from the UK working in The Gambia in the
areas of agriculture, women and children's health.
OperAfrica was founded by its owners after they had
visited many rural and urban areas around the country
and saw first-hand the needs of rural villagers, especially
in the southern region. As a result a charity was established
in the UK and it has been recognised as an NGO in Gambia.
It aims to make all its programs promote self-sufficiency
with the ultimate goal of transferring responsibility
for the projects to the communities concerned. However,
prior to handing over, they aim to ensure that the projects
themselves are sustainable in the long run.
To ensure that maximum benefit goes the beneficiaries
of their schemes no money is spent of bureaucracy and
the few staff employed are from their target communities
in The Gambia and take an active role in carrying out
the charity's plans.
When Opera Africa began its work it was focused on aiding
the women of Medina Salaam to provide for their families
with extra food being cultivated on local village land
rented to the women for a nominal few pennies a year.
The 1 hectare plot was then fenced, inputs were provided
such as fertilizer, seeds, pesticides and several water
wells dug to provide for crop irrigation.
This garden project is now able to provide more nutritious
food for their families and any surplus crops are sold
in the local market with the extra cash going back to
their families allowing them to pay for things like
student fees.
Projects: • Agriculture
Plots of land have been acquired for a number of villages
for women farmers along with water wells. Inputs have
been provided as well an agricultural consultant, who
helps them adopt new farming methods to increase their
productivity and the quality of crops. • Eye
Operations
They have financed and coordinated nearby health resources
to provide treatment and screening. Over the years they
have enabled over 200 cataracts operations to take place
as well as other less serious eye treatments.
• Health Facilities
Opera Africa's goal is to raise enough financing to
a construct small health center in one of the poorest
Gambian villages in their targeted communities.
• Malaria Health Education
In conjunction with better diet, potable water and food,
it aims to promote awareness about common, chronic and
critical health problems. It has also held a malaria
sensitisation program in which posters were accompanied
by an audio short play in the local Mandinka tongue.
• Music & Sports Sponsorship
It has sponsored a soccer competition and music show
in Gunjur. With the assistance of Southampton Football
club, they have also donated equipment and kit to local
football teams. • Water
Opera Africa have carried out well digging, borehole
sinking and the rehabilitation and repair of existing
wells. It has also provided a water tank and pump which
led to a decrease in infections related to contaminated
water.
Branches:
Madina Salaam Village
Kombo South
OperAfrica
Registered office
Hunters Moon
Haccups Lane
Michelmersh
Romsey SO51 0NP
Hampshire, England
Tel no: +44 01794 368105
Email: paul@operafrica.com
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