SHED the Light Gambia:
who are we and what we do
SHED the Light Gambia is a fundraising and volunteer resourcing charity supporting Health, Education and Christian outreach work being undertaken by the Evangelical Church of The Gambia (ECG) at Sibanor. It is a UK charity with UK Charity Commission number 1206831.
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Historical Background
The work at Sibanor was initiated by German missionary midwifes in the 1960’s. They were part of the WEC mission organisation and for the subsequent 50 years they and their successors developed the Health Centre, staffed it with a mix of volunteer missionaries and local staff, and provided a considerable amount of financial support to meet the day-to-day costs of the Centre.
In 2017 WEC signalled their decision to close the Health Centre, since it was proving challenging to find medical volunteers and the financial strain of running the Centre was drawing funds away from other mission projects in The Gambia. The leadership of the Evangelical Church of The Gambia, believing that it was in God’s plan for the Health Centre to continue operation, took the courageous decision to ask that instead of it being closed, the Health Centre be transferred to them. At that stage the financial future for the Health Centre looked very precarious, since income from the modest fees that were affordable by the predominantly poor local population met less than half the day-to-day operating costs, and ECG did not have any significant funding available to fill the gap.
Since the transfer in 2018 the finances have indeed at times been precarious, but nevertheless the Health Centre has survived. Several individuals and organisations have contributed, wonderfully, to some major building projects and remedial work. WEC missionaries from across the globe who had links with Sibanor in the past have been generous in their regular support and a number of new supporters have emerged, particularly in the UK.
SHED the Light Gambia history
SHED the Light was established in 2024 to broaden the base of supporters and to open up the potential for grants from charitable organisations and Trusts.
In addition to providing financial support, SHED the Light also provides support to volunteers, particularly short termers, who wish to offer their services at Sibanor. This service (managed under the title Sibanortrek) has been running for several years and has been incorporated into SHED the Light to enable it to be overseen and reported on in a more formal way.
As a UK regulated charity SHED the Light produces formal annual accounts and an annual report and these can be accessed on the UK Charities Commission Website. For further information and queries the Trustees can be contacted by email: sibanortrek@gmail.com
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​Trustees
Based in the UK, these three visit the Gambia twice yearly – Dr Ruth and Peter for a total of about 3 months and Dr Margaret for 6 months. Whilst in the UK they continue administrative work for the clinic.
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Dr Margaret Sherratt
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Margaret Sherratt is an associate member of WEC (Worldwide Evangelisation for Christ) and has been volunteering at Sibanor Health Centre since 2015. She visits for 4 months in the busy rainy season, and for 2 months at the beginning of the year to write the Health Centre annual report and attend the WEC Gambia Conference. Most of the time she treats patients, but she also does some teaching in the Nursing School especially on Whole Person Medicine. Whilst in the UK she is very involved in her church, and in a nearby Globe Café which welcomes international students. She also volunteers at a refugee project and hosts refugees.​
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Dr Ruth and Peter Lisle
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Peter and Ruth Lisle are associate members of WEC (Worldwide Evangelisation for Christ) and have been volunteering at ECG Sibanor Health Centre since 2019, going there for 6 weeks twice a year. Ruth is a retired GP and assists the medical team at Sibanor in treating patients. Peter is a retired chartered engineer and undertakes a range of practical and administrative support duties both on-site at Sibanor and in the UK. Whilst in the UK Ruth leads a Girls Brigade group in their village and Peter is on the leadership team of their church. They have three grown-up children, a grand-child and a dog.
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Steven Smart
Stephen Smart is a natural communicator with extensive project management skills and teaching experience from various technology and teaching roles. He has always been active in the church and has a particular calling to help those suffering in life. Before retirement in 2023 he spent over 10 years, together with his wife Paula, running the Care for the Family Widowed Young Support work, supporting widowers and widows.
After Stephen retired, he felt led to seek out a mission opportunity and came across WEC and ultimately ECG Sibanor Health Centre. Due to circumstances beyond his control he has not been able to visit the Sibanor Health Centre yet but hopes to do so in 2026.
Stephen finds enjoyment relaxing on the tennis court and football pitch and enjoying travel with his wife Paula. Stephen is also interested in current affairs and enjoys quizzes. Stephen has four grown-up children and one dog.
.Annual Report
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to download the latest Annual Report
Annual Accounts
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to download the latest Annual Accounts