Hay2Timbuktu, is launching a new sanitation project to celebrate ten years of twinning with Timbuktu. The project, which will launch at the charity’s AGM on 27th October, aims to raise funds to rebuild toilets at three secondary schools by the end of 2018.
The two towns linked in 2007 through a shared love of books – Hay being famous for its abundance of book shops, and Timbuktu for its renowned ancient manuscripts. Since the twinning, visits have been exchanged between the two towns, support has been provided for girls’ education, health clinics and midwife training in Timbuktu and funds were raised for a motorbike ambulance.
John Winter, Trustee of Hay2Timbuktu said:
“It was a huge coup for Hay-on-Wye to be selected as Timbuktu’s twin town back in 2007. We’ve enjoyed a unique and special friendship since then, and hope to do so for many years to come.
“However, life in our twin town has been unimaginably hard recently: first an occupation by armed groups, then continuing shortages and insecurity. Public services have had no investment for many years, and one of the things that schools desperately need is new and refurbished toilets. We hope that the people of Hay and the surrounding areas will dig deep in support of this important project.”
The Headmaster of Yehia Alkaya School, one of the schools that will benefit from new toilets, said:
“Our school is 114 years old, but the toilets have never been modernised. They are almost entirely dilapidated. We have tried for years to get support to repair them, but nobody has the money.”
The project will be launched at Hay2Timbuktu’s AGM on 27th October, 6.30pm at Hay Primary School. The event will include a ten year retrospective and is open for anyone to attend.
Anyone wishing to donate to the project can do so by texting: TMBK02 followed by the amount to 70070, e.g. TMBK02 £10.