River Gambia Expedition 2012: Please visit our new West Africa expedition blog
logo © Jason Florio, 2012
‘River Gambia Expedition 2012 – 1000km source to sea African odyssey‘
We have a brand new blog and a brand new expedition! Please stop by – and sign up for blog-updates about our next photography expedition.
Thank you!
Helen Jones-Florio & Jason Florio
Expedition Co-Leaders
Please visit our new site for all future updates……
we are now transferring our blog over to :
http://adventuretravelblogs.com/700miles/
Please visit the above new address for any further postings.
Thanks so much for stopping by and we look forward to seeing you
on the new blog 🙂
Helen & Jason
Expedition Leaders
Please check out our new-look blog with Adventure Travel Blogs
We have been invited by Adventure Travel Magazine to write a blog on their newly launched Adventure Travel Bloggers site. So, we are moving over to the new site. Please go to our brand new blog for all new postings, images, and expedition updates:
http://adventuretravelblogs.com/700miles/
Alternatively, if you don’t have time to view the new site at the moment and would like to help the Gambian children get at least one of their Gardens For Life up and running whilst we are down there, then please read the instructions below (also, see how you can receive an exclusive limited edition B&W print from the expedition).
We are both covering our personal expenses for the expedition but we also need to help raise funds for other on-the-ground expenses which will help to pay for i.e. two local guides from Makasutu’s Mandina River Lodge, The Gambia, food and pitching the tents (each village we stay in will receive a remuneration for the courtesy), emergency medical insurance and two donkeys – we have our eye on the very affable Neil ‘Mungo’ and Paddy ‘Park’ from The Gambia Horse & Donkey Sanctuary, The Gambia.
To donate to the Eden Projects ‘Gardens for Life’ Gambia Expedition 2009, please go to: http://www.paypal.co.uk/uk
Sign into your account
Or: Sign up (if you aren’t registered for PayPal you need register and email address and password – takes 2 minutes. You will then receive an email from PayPal asking you to confirm your account)
Once logged in – from ‘my account’ page go to ’send money’ tab on the left of the top tool bar
Enter who to (Email): 700miles@floriophoto.com
Enter Amount: scroll down for relevant currency
Choose ‘personal’ tab then ‘gift’ then ‘continue’
Enter payment method
Check amount and then press ’send money’ tab
And thats it! Takes but a few minutes to help us to put one foot in front of the other and to raise money for the charity (any donations over the target amount will go directly into Eden Projects ‘Gardens for Life’ in The Gambia registered charity)
***For those of you who have resources to donate a little more, you will receive special limited edition B&W prints from the expedition:
Over $100 / 65 GBP will receive an 8 x 10 limited edition print
Over $500 / 315 GBP- 11 x 14 limited edition print
Over $1000 / 625 GBP – 16 x 20 limited edition print
Over $2000 1250 GBP- 30 x 40 limited edition print
Thanks a million to those who have very generously donated so far. We are one step further……..
Florio & Jones xx
We look forward to seeing you on the other side!
Jones & Florio
Expedition Leaders
http://www.edenproject.com/our-work/people/gardens-for-life/index.php (more details on Gardens for Life)
The Expedition Route
Here's where we begin and end
Starting on 1st November at one of the Gardens For Life schools in the Makasutu Wildlife Trust (MWT) area, walking counter-clockwise, and returning about 8 weeks later back to Makasutu with good friends, and creators of MWT, Lawrence Williams and James English.
http://www.gambia.co.uk/Docs/About-Us/Company-Information/The-Eden-Project.aspx?print=true
Press Is Always Appreciated……and Blog Entries!
thanks to everyone in media & blog land for their continuous support
Thanks to all the guys at the Eden Project, Jenny Adams (PR – The Gambia Experience) & Matt Smith (The Gambia Experience Blogger) for getting the press ball rolling – you are stars! Also, big big thanks to Stella Kramer (StellaZine), Andy Hetherington (Whats The Jackanory), David Jefferies (Addict Clothing, UK)…….to be continued……..
H & Flo x
“(Jason & Helen) We are all truly grateful for your support here at the Eden Project and the Gardens for Life programme. Thank you!!”
Don Murray
Chair of Horticulture
Eden Project, Cornwall, UK
Image: from the book ‘Makasutu – mecca in the forest’ by Jason Florio – UK Team Member and Expedition Photographerwww.floriophoto.com
To purchase a copy of the book, please visithttp://www.blurb.com/search/site_search?search=jason+florio&filter=all&commit=Search
PRESS:
http://www.edenproject.com/media/gambia-trek-pr.php
http://www.thegambiablog.co.uk/2009/09/a-short-walk-in-the-gambian-bush/
http://www.gambia.co.uk/Press/2009/09/1784/Walking-The-Gambia-for-charity.aspx
http://stellakramer.com/blog/2009/09/short-walk-in-gambia-bush.html
How you can help Gambian school children build their Gardens for Life
Gambian school girl by Jason Florio
We are both covering our personal expenses for the expedition but we also need to help raise funds for other on-the-ground expenses which will help to pay for i.e. two local guides from Makasutu’s Mandina River Lodge (www.makasutu.com) food and pitching the tents (each village we stay in will receive a remuneration for the courtesy), emergency medical insurance and two donkeys – we have our eye on the very affable Neil ‘Mungo’ and Paddy ‘Park’ from The Gambia Horse & Donkey Sanctuary.www.gambiahorseanddonkey.org.uk
- Poor Neil ‘Mungo’ just can’t do this alone!!
We have received amazing donations from friends and family since we started the campaign on 1st September, 2009, and it looks as if we may well reach our target for the to begin the walk on November 1st!
We also hope to set up at least one of the school gardens in The Gambia whilst we are there. So, please see below on how you can help us achieve that goal.
Jason’s offer of a ***’limited edition B&W expedition print’ has proved to be very popular indeed as an incentive for larger donations 😉 Please at the bottom of this post for more details on this fantastic opportunity to help the Gambia school kids and to get what is normally a very expensive Florio print at a discount price and feel good about into the bargain!
Targer: 3000 GBP
Donated to-date (15th Oct 09): 2158.60 GBP (3237.91 USD)
841.40 GBP (1262.09 USD) to go!
Donation mega thanks so far to:
Don & Beki, Cornwall, UK; Bob Jones, Florida, USA; Linda & Michael, Belfast, Northern Ireland; Rich, Santa Fe, NM; Carolyn, Wisconsin, USA; Kay & Tommy, CT, USA; Barbara, Chicago, USA; Susann, Dave & Jake, Guernsey, Channel Islands; Shannon, Vancouver, Canada; Renea, Miami Beach, FL, USA; Jen, Kawai, USA; Meagan & JC; NYC, USA; Gina, LA, USA; Alex, Leicester, UK; Chloe, Oxford, UK; Texas Ted, Houston, TX, USA; Tina & Dave, Spain; Julie, NYC, USA; Isak, NYC, USA; Matt, Gloucestershire UK; David & Lucie, Sloatsburg, NY, USA; Steve, Santa Fe, NM, USA; Rob, NYC, USA; Ignacio, Mexico; Thelma & Sandy, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, UK; Jay, NY, USA; Noreen, London, UK; Lucy and Jonas,Brooklyn, NY, USA; Daphne,Benjamin and Anna, Brooklyn, NY, USA; Leah and Steve, NJ, USA; Reg and Anita, Surrey,UK; Danielle, Devin, Frankie, NYC, USA; Anne & Thorsten, Heidelburg, Germany; Andrea, NYC, USA; Zac, London, UK; Kit, California, USA; Troy, LA, USA; Leila, NYC, USA;
Product and Expedition Related Donations and Invaluable Help (Please see related URL links on the right hand side of the blog page):
Lawrence Williams, James English & Malang Jambang @ Makasutu Wildlife Trust , The Gambia
Don Murray (and Becky Marriot), Justine Quinn, Chris Rowe, Mike Petty & Rob Lowe @ The Eden Project, UK
Jo, Kate and Christine (thanks for the cameras!) @ The Eden Project, UK
Chris Rowles & Jenny Adams @ The Gambia Experience, UK
David Jefferies @ Addict Clothing, UK
Zac Leeks @ Caught In The Cross Fire, UK
Alan Edgar @ Fra-Angelico, UK
Robert Young Pelton @ Come Back Alive.com, USA
Anna Duffy @ Terra Plana (Vivo Barefoot Revolution), UK
Heather Armstrong @ The Horse & Donkey Sanctuary, The Gambia
Where to send your donations:
If you would like to kindly donate, however small or large will be much appreciated, please follow the instructions below:
Go to: http://www.paypal.co.uk/uk
Sign into your account
Or: Sign up (if you aren’t registered for PayPal you need register and email address and password – takes 2 minutes. You will then receive an email from PayPal asking you to confirm your account)
Once logged in – from ‘my account’ page go to ‘send money’ tab on the left of the top tool bar
Enter who to (Email): 700miles@floriophoto.com
Enter Amount: scroll down for relevant currency
Choose ‘personal’ tab then ‘gift’ then ‘continue’
Enter payment method
Check amount and then press ‘send money’ tab
And thats it! Takes but a few minutes to help us to put one foot in front of the other and to raise money for the charity (any donations over the target amount will go directly into Eden Projects ‘Gardens for Life’ in The Gambia registered charity)
***For those of you who have resources to donate a little more, you will receive special limited edition B&W prints from the expedition:
Over $100 / 65 GBP will receive an 8 x 10 limited edition print
Over $500 / 315 GBP- 11 x 14 limited edition print
Over $1000 / 625 GBP – 16 x 20 limited edition print
Over $2000 1250 GBP- 30 x 40 limited edition print
Thanks a million to those who have very generously donated so far. We are one step further……..
Florio & Jones xx
meeting the Eden Project team and Gambia Experience team
Chris Rowles (Gambia Experience), Don Murray ( Eden Project/GFL), Florio and Jones (A Short Walk UK team members)
Our first official (and very exciting!) meeting with Eden Project and Gambia Experience, doing a great impression on being ‘in The Gambia’ in the Tropical Biome at The Eden Project! These guys are the best! Big big thanks to all the amazing people who are working hard with us to help the expedition to succeed.
From the Eden Project :
Don Murray (Chair of Horticulture), Justine Quinn, Rob Lowe, David Rowe and Mike Petty
www.edenproject.com/our-work/people/gardens-for-life/index.php
From Gambia Experience:
Chris Rowles (MD), Karen Durham and Jenny Adams
www.gambia.co.uk/Docs/Gambia-Holidays/Excursions/Makasutu-Nature-Forest.aspx
updates to follow very soon……….please stop by again. Jones & Florio x
Photo courtesy Chris Saville/apexnewspix.com 2009
a short walk in the gambian bush
a 700 mile odyssey
Planting the seeds…………..
Where: The Gambia, West Africa
When: November-December 2009
What: To circumnavigate The Gambia, West Africa, by foot from the ‘Gardens for Life’ project in the Western Division of the country and returning there approximately 8 weeks later – in time to celebrate New Years Eve at Makasutu Culture Forest!!
Why: A Twofold Expedition:-
• An Anglo/Gambian journey to preserve, through photographic and audio means, a modern account of the people and stories of rural Gambia. This collection of pictures and words will lay the foundations for a unique multi-media interactive website to be used as an ongoing tool to conserve these oral histories and current observations of life in The Gambia by Gambians. The photographs taken along the way will also be used to produce a, first of its kind, fine art ‘coffee-table’ book of The Gambia.
•‘Gardens For Life’ (an Eden Project) charity, which help to educate, support and encourage schools and children around the world on how to create gardens and grow their own food. GFL also have a number of these gardens in The Gambia. Therefore, the walk will be a fund-raising tool for the charity and the Gambian schools, through sponsorship and donations.
Who: Jason Florio, Helen Jones & local Gambian’s, Abdouli Janneh & Mohammed Njie
A little bit about the team members:
Jason Florio, British, FRGS (Fellow of The Royal Geographical Society), is a professional photojournalist who has dedicated at least one month a year for the past thirteen years to photographing the people who live and work around a sacred forest in The Gambia. The resulting book –‘Makasutu – mecca in the forest’ was published this year to coincide with two New York exhibitions of the work. He recently received a ‘Spotlight’ award for these images from Black and White magazine.
His passion and fascination for the people and culture of The Gambia has grown with each visit. So when he and Jones came up with the idea of further immersing themselves into the country by an on-foot expedition and creating a multi-media website, whereby Gambians could share their personal stories and histories for posterity, it seemed like the most natural progression from his work at Makasutu.
His assignments for publications including Sunday Times Travel, The New York Times, Men’s Journal, Outside and National Geographic Adventure have taken him around the globe from Afghanistan to Surinam, predominantly on human-interest stories that attempt to reveal the unseen and give alternative points of view to people and places. Florio lives between NYC and London. Please view his work at www.floriophoto.com
Helen Jones: Her passion for the poor but extremely culturally-rich country of The Gambia started around 14 years ago and has seen her return, annually ever since. She once spent 4 months there studying natural nutrition. In 2008 she worked with Florio there for 6 weeks as producer and assistant on the portraits of his recent book ‘Makasutu – mecca in the forest’. They also spent time travelling around the villages of The Gambia to document the traditional male and female ‘Coming of Age Ceremonies’. Jones, British, is a practicing massage therapist and nutrition advisor, living between the UK and NYC. She previously worked extensively in the music industry, mainly in events co-ordination and artist management. She has been using her organizational and management skills, working as a producer on various photography assignments in the US, Mexico and West Africa.
Abdouli Janneh, a Gambian local, has been working at Makasutu Culture Forest for 5 years in guest liaison. His previous experience includes military service and teaching English as a foreign language to Gambian students. He is from the Jola tribe and speaks fluent English, Jola, Mandinka and Wolof (Mandinka being the most widely used languages in the country). He will be integral to the expedition not only as a fixer and translator in the more rural areas but as he is a local, his input will be invaluable in helping both Jason and Helen fully understand the culture of the country and in translating the oral histories that they will collect on the way.
Mohammed Njie – a Gambian local, has followed in his fathers footsteps, working at Makasutu Culture Forest for over 3 years as a guide and as a security officer. He too is a Jola, speaking English, jola and Mandinka. He will also be an integral team member, especially with his skills as a guide.
***Work in progress………more to come very soon so please (especially on how to donate to Gardens for Life!) keep checking in. Thank you for your support :)***
Logo: kindly constructed by Lawrence Williams, Makasutu Culture Forest, The Gambia (www.makasutu.com)
meet half the team
Florio & Jones (with friend, Aliou N'dong), Makasutu Portraits, The Gambia, 2008
A Short Walk In The Gambian Bush 