Operation Sunshine in Folkestone

Operation Sunshine is a Charity operating in the Folkestone area since 1984. We were established in the first place to send goods as humanitarian aid to Mozambique and Zimbabwe. At one time we were sending goods to nine different countries in Africa. Operation Sunshine was first established in Devon but quickly spread to Kent. We started off in Folkestone but for the last twelve or so years have been working at Abbots Land farm in Capel-le-Ferne.

Due to political circumstances at the moment we only send to Zambia, as it is almost impossible now to obtain a licence to send to our old friends in Africa. In Zambia we are able to send our goods without payment of any duty. We are also hopeful that we can resume sending supplies to Lesotho in the near future. Over the 35 years things have changed greatly but one thing has not changed, the need for goods in Africa. We now ship usually five forty foot containers to Zambia containing an enormous variety of goods from hospital beds, sheets, duvets, bandages and other medical supplies to school desks and chairs, whiteboards, pencils and books. Reading books go out by the ton to our adult education projects where parents are only sometimes one lesson ahead of their children! We ship a very large amount of things like school uniforms. I know parents must hate being told that school uniforms are being changed but I am very grateful for the large amount of goods that come in as a result of these changes. In recent months we have received van loads of uniforms from schools in Wiltshire and Hampshire as well as from local schools. The surrounding images are from our recent projects in Zambia. The children in the classroom are very happy with the goods we are able to send. If you look at the classrooms you will realise how proud we are that everything in the photos (except the bodies!) has been sent from Operation Sunshine. There are also some photos of our first computer project which has just been upgraded by the installation of solar panels. The electricity supply in Zambia is very spasmodic and children were walking to school to arrive at the start of lessons at midnight! Water is also in very short supply with Zambia experiencing drought and famine this year. We have some lovely teams of volunteers but always have room for more. Please if you have any spare time do come along and look around.

We are open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. My telephone number is 01303 862799 if you would like a chat. We would love to see you – especially if you come bearing donations of goods!

Thank you for reading this.

Lyn Callander

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