Bognor tourism worker wins national award

Kathryn Burrington became the first individual to be presented with the tourist industry's achievement in responsible tourism accolade.

The Association of Independent Tour Operators has always previously given the recognition to companies.

Kathryn works for the Gambia Experience tour operator, which also holds the AITO's five-star responsible tourism status.

Kathryn usually visits the Gambia twice a year on photographic assignments.

She was stirred to raise money for schools in the African country because she was moved by their lack of funds and the high malaria death rates.

She joined with her friends, Shelagh Hamilton and Phyl Keane, to found the charity Nyodema, or 'helping each other' in the Gambian tribal language of Mandinka.

They organised the first Nyodema world music and arts festival in Bognor in August 2007.

A follow up was held last August and the event's success means it is set to become an annual occasion.

A number of charity evening gigs keeps the Nyodema name alive throughout the rest of the year.

The result of the fundraising has been to set up a number of teacher training programmes in the Gambia and distribute items such as medical and educational equipment and children's clothes and shoes.

Kathryn (44) said: "There has been a very positive feedback from the school that malaria rates have dropped since we distributed mosquito nets."

Phonics teaching training to encourage the children to learn their official language of English is also going well.

Nyodema's next fundraising event will be a full day gospel singing workshop on May 16, followed by a performance.

This will take place at the Regis School of Music in Sudley Road, Bognor, with the help of British Gospel Arts and Bourne Community College.

For more information or to book a space, send an email to: [email protected] or telephone 07974 472137.

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