Haiti Appeal Update
Dear Supporters,
Thank you, the good news is that you have raised £3,157.00 which will supply 125 solar radio lights in Haiti. The solar radio lights will be purchased and distributed this week through a partnership with Fondasyon Felicitee www.fondasyonfelicitee.com who are working on the ground in Haiti. They are focussing on 3 towns Aquin, Pestel and Cavaillon and will purchase and distribute this vital lifeline to some of the thousands of people who are now living with-out shelter and the basic necessities to sustain life.
Since 2010, Haitian people have had to cope with the earthquake, floods, cholera, hurricanes and now another earthquake.
Latest news reports are that:
At least 2,200 people are known to have died.
Nearly 12,000 people have been injured, and many are missing after the 7.2-magnitude tremor.
52,000 people have lost their homes.
These solar radios will be a lifeline, enabling families to keep updated with local and national news, they have a phone charge facility so people can stay connected with their loved ones. The radios also emit some much-needed light at night. These items will remain even after the period of emergency and have longer lasting impact.
It is recommended that this is the best way to support people at this time. The easiest way for this to happen is to purchase the solar radios directly in Haiti and distribute them to families who need them, avoiding shipping costs and supporting local businesses.
We have experience of providing solar radios in The Gambia to ensure children could continue learning during the pandemic and in Haiti after Hurricane Matthew, so we know it works and that it will make a small but significant difference to people’s lives in Haiti right now.
You can purchase a solar radio here today for £25:
(Please note the solar radio image on our website image is different from the ones we will provide in Haiti which have a light, radio and phone charger).
IF YOU CAN DONATE MORE, PLEASE HELP TODAY
The safest way to donate is by direct transfer to our bank with SOLAR HAITI as your reference:
The Steve Sinnott Foundation
Co-Operative Bank
Account Number: 65318371
Sort Code: 08-92-99
In Haiti they say, ‘’ men anpil chay pa lou’’ which means “with many hands loads are not heavy’’.
We are determined to be there for the families and communities we work with over the weeks and months to come, when they may need us more than ever before.
The fund is still open for donations so we thank you in advance for anything you are able to give.
Best wishes from us all.
Ann
Billy Jean Project Manager in Haiti, delivering solar radio lamps following Hurricane Matthew 2016.
The Steve Sinnott Foundation • September 3, 2021
In our continued commitment to ensuring quality and inclusive education for every child, we’ve taken our advocacy to a new level by empowering the next generation to lead the conversation. In partnership with The Gambia Teachers Union, we recently convened the Foundation’s Young Ambassadors for a vibrant day of engagement dedicated to promoting the right to education for all. The event brought together passionate students from selected senior secondary schools across Region One, including St. John’s School for the Deaf, to explore what it truly means to make education inclusive, equitable, and accessible to every learner.
The Steve Sinnott Foundation is proud to celebrate the inspirational winners of the 2025 Seeds of Hope for a Better Future competition, a global initiative supported by UNESCO that brings together creativity, community, and a shared commitment to peace and sustainability. This unique project invited schools across the world from nursery and primary through to secondary and high school to explore the values of peace, cultural understanding, and care for the planet. In the face of climate change, young people were asked to tell their stories through art, performance, and digital creativity, highlighting how small seeds of action can grow into powerful movements for hope. The results have been extraordinary. Schools in France, the UK, Gambia, Haiti, and Kenya have been recognised for their outstanding contributions, with projects ranging from community gardens and sculptures to dance performances and illustrated stories. Each winner has shown how young voices and imagination can nurture peace and sustainability in ways that inspire us all. The full Awards Ceremony can be watched linked here: S eeds of Hope For A Better Future Awards Ceremony 2025 Highlights from the Winners Oak View Primary and Nursery School (UK) created Faces of Feeling, a collection of joyful sculptures already exhibited in a local gallery. Judges praised their work as supporting the wellbeing of others and embodying the idea of children as true “Seeds of Hope.” St Joseph’s Senior Secondary School (Gambia) painted Campaign for a Sustainable Banjul , reflecting real-world climate action in their city. The judges described it as “a most deserving and robust winner.” In France , the Jardin d'Enfants des Nations Unies (United Nations Nursery School) won hearts with Wind of Peace , where 5-6 year olds combined drawings, paintings, and tree planting to champion reforestation. Lyng Hall Secondary School, Coventry (UK) collaborated with Henley Green Primary and the UK Literacy Association to produce The Heart Shaped Hole – an innovative and metaphorical take on Seeds of Hope. Earlsdon Primary School, Coventry (UK) impressed with Primary Plot , a project that included gardening with the visually impaired, reflecting inclusivity and sustainability. A remarkable cross-collaboration between 21 schools across West Yorkshire, Essex, and Tower Hamlets (UK) resulted in Lights, Camera, Score , an ambitious combination of animation, music, and storytelling. CIMA Community School of Hope, Haiti shared Konbit - a video of dance and solidarity, inspiring villages to work together for peace and dignity. Daraja Academy, Kenya presented an ambitious and optimistic project integrating sustainability into everyday school life. Celebrating Creativity and Peace This year’s competition was judged by an impressive panel of artists, writers, and cultural leaders including Sir Antony Gormley, Edmund de Waal, Dame Liz Forgan, Hugh Quarshie, and Rathna Ramanathan. Their collective expertise highlighted the quality and depth of the entries, each of which showed how art can be a powerful tool for global understanding and change. The Seeds of Hope initiative is part of UNESCO UK’s Arts and Culture for Peace programme, first launched in 2022. It has grown from earlier collaborations such as the Coventry Young Ambassadors’ Islands of Peace Japanese Garden , opened in 2021 a living reminder that seeds planted in communities can continue to flourish. Highlights from the ceremony can be found here at this playlist Looking Ahead As Ann Beatty, UNESCO ASPnet UK National Coordinator , shared: “The quality of entries was extraordinary. We are delighted at the response to this amazing initiative in collaboration with our international partners.” And in the words of judge Jannette Cheong : “Young people around the world understand well the value of peace and tolerant relationships between cultures. Their creativity is an inspiration to all of us.” At The Steve Sinnott Foundation, we believe that education is the seed from which hope grows. The Seeds of Hope competition is a shining example of how young people through creativity, compassion, and collaboration are already shaping a more peaceful and sustainable future. You can access the full online awards presentation here: Seeds of Hope For A Better Future Awards Ceremony 2025
The journey to strengthen the well-being and success of learners in The Gambia continues with a renewed commitment to guidance and counselling in schools. By August 14th 2025, we have successfully trained 140 educators across 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝟏, 𝟐, 𝟑 & 𝟒 under our Guidance & Counselling Programme. A programme designed to equip educators with the skills to support students’ academic, social, and emotional development. Region 3 Teachers Complete Level 2 Training On Wednesday, 6th August, thirty teachers from Region 3 (North Bank Region) began a three-day Level 2 Guidance and Counselling training at the Christian Council in Kanifing. This programme built on their earlier Level 1 training in Farafenni, with a focus on deepening their capacity to serve as school-based counsellors. The training concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony, recognising the teachers’ commitment and marking an important step in their professional development. These certificates symbolize more than an achievement; they represent each teacher’s readiness to provide psychosocial support, guidance, and mentorship to learners across their schools.
