Switzerland: report 2005

September 2005: Following Sophie's report regarding the milk shortage, we write to the Nestlé Company and hope to enlist their help. Sophie is expected on the 11th. However, she is retained in Bamako for administrative reasons and only arrives on the 15th. As the French Consulate refused to give a visa to her 3-year-old adoptive daughter, Sophie will stay only 15 days in Europe .

Just enough time to take stock, to meet some people responsible for other NGOs, as well as our generous donors; all these appointments leave her exhausted.

On 23 September, our charity dinner is a huge success, bringing together more than 60 people. The splendid room of the Moulin de Chiblins was graciously offered for the purpose. The evening went off in an environment of sharing and friendship. Thank you to Eric and his wife for their kindness and their great generosity. Thank you too to Corinne, who charmed us with her songs throughout the evening.

We also wish to thank the representing MAP and in charge of the campaign against malnutrition in Gao, who came expressly from France for the occasion.

With much emotion, Sophie describes her activities, illustrated with a slideshow; her message is sincere and full of compassion. Stress is laid on the need to build a reception centre for the orphans, whose number is ever increasing. Sophie also underlines the importance of help towards hygiene, which is directly related to the health of the children.

We are still looking for a loader or a tractor with a front-loader to collect the rubbish which strews the streets of Gao.

Thanks to a generous gift of medicines and new sponsorships, Sophie can view the future of the children more calmly, and with her heart full of hope she leaves for Mali at the beginning of October.

October, November, December 2005:

On November 24, the Cantonal Office of taxes informs us that our association has been recognized as a public utility and that it is therefore exonerated from taxes. Good news also for our donors, who will be able to deduct their gifts from their taxable incomes. However, a sentence of the statutes, in connection with dissolution, must be modified. No problem, we will address the corrected statutes at the same time as the income tax return.

Other good news, we received a reply to our letter to the Nestlé Company, they promise to donate milk for the orphans and those who cannot benefit from their mother's milk. However, we need to have the status of an NGO. This statute is a requirement but will be useful to obtain certain rights. Sophie sends the request to the Ministry of the Territorial Administration and the local communities.

On a cold and rainy day the Gland market "Marché Grand-Rue" takes place on Sunday 4 December. We benefit from the occasion to offer some Malian crafts, calendars and jams, and publicize our action. A splendid streamer with the AAG logo was made for an attractive price by a friend of Laurent.

Thank you to the organizers of the Gland Market for having given us a small display space.

The AAG thanks you and sends you its best wishes for 2006. Living in the hope of a better world, without violence or famine, we hope that this New Year will bring you happiness and health.

MAP:
Medicine Help Presence

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