The Olney Newton Link's aim is to advance education and relieve poverty in Newton, Sierra Leone by the provision of charitable assistance.

 We started by helping the villagers rebuild their houses after the end of the civil war, and we are now forging links with the schools, churches and other groups. We are raising funds to help the committee in Newton to build a skills centre, where people will be trainned in skills so that they can earn money and work their way out of poverty.

Communication between the 2 communities of Olney in Buckinghamshire and Newton in Sierra Leone is very difficult, and mobile phones are our main form of contacting people. We have had 3 visits from the people here to Newton, and 2 of their comunity have been able to visit us here. With the schools especially we are hoping that more of these visits can occur.

We often send goods out via ship, which means that we have to take the goods such as books, first aid supplies and other sundries down to London for shipping. These have been distributed around the Newton community and are greatly appreciated by the recipients.

  Abu Bakarr Fofana- the secretary of the Newton committee and a fantastic correspondant! Read his news on the Newton news page.....