A team of six runners, ranging from young and fit to – well, let’s not go there, – are running the Ilkley Half Marathon on July 11th, to raise funds for the Burley-Tereli Friendship Trust (https://www.btft.org.uk/). BTFT raises money for projects in Tereli, a village in Mali twinned with Burley-in-Wharfedale. It funds famine relief, well-digging, and supports healthcare and education. There are no admin costs, everything raised goes straight to good causes. Last year Tereli was attacked by bandits, all the animals were stolen, 12 people killed and much of their grain stores burnt, so it was a tough year for them. Things seem calmer just now and we were able to buy them more millet to tide them over. It was also a tough year for the charity because there were few opportunities to fundraise, so any help you can give, large or small, would be much appreciated!
We have a sponsorship page at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/
TeamBTFT to make it easy, but if you don’t want to do it online, I have a sponsor form and I’m happy to accept donations.
We really appreciate anything you can do to help bring in a little money for this very worthy cause.
Thank you! Janet Squire and the BTFT Trustees
Here is a little more detail about a recent well digging project BTFT funded through The Joliba Trust. The changing climate with erratic rainfall is creating a debilitating water shortage because traditional earth-dug wells cannot withstand sudden floods and the lowering of the water table. The photos show the Dogon village of Dissoroly and the new well.
Afietou, one of the village women, wrote about the difference the well has made.
‘Before the well was dug, the water chores alone took us 9 hours in time. We did not know what it was to rest…. No-one can imagine what we have endured during the 5 year water insufficiency. Even when we were ill, we were obliged to fetch water…… We thank the grace of God and the project for this beautiful gift which has saved everybody.’