What we do

Our Mission
To work alongside local Christian and Muslim communities in The Gambia to improve access to water, healthcare, education, and sustainable livelihoods — enabling long term change that honours local leadership and strengthens community resilience.

Supporting healthcare

We are committed to improving access to safe, reliable healthcare in
rural areas.
Recent projects include:

 Funding improvements to health clinics in Marakissa and
Giboro.

 Renovating and decorating the Malnutrition Unit in Marakissa
in partnership with both Christian and Muslim community
members.

 Supporting the refurbishment of the adjoining medical clinic.

 Providing medical training for a local nurse.

 Supplying lifesaving equipment such as mosquito nets.

Practical Steps

These practical steps help ensure that families can access the care
they need close to home.

“In 2024 we worked with the Christian and Muslim community in
Marakissa to renovate and decorate the Malnutrition Unit…”

Supporting Safe Water

Access to clean drinking water remains a daily challenge for many
Gambian communities. We help by funding and installing:

 Wells

 Boreholes

 Other clean water sources in rural villages

These projects reduce illness, support farming, and free women and
children from long daily walks to collect water.
“We have provided clean water sources such as wells and bore holes
in a number of rural villages…”

Supporting Education
Education opens doors — especially for girls. Our recent initiatives include:

 Providing essential equipment for local schools

 Distributing 600 reusable period pants in 2025 so girls can
attend school confidently and consistently

This simple intervention helps remove barriers to learning and
supports girls to pursue their education with dignity.

“In 2025 we distributed 600 period pants for girls so they can attend
school without embarrassment…”

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Our guiding principles

Minimal overheads

Our UK team is entirely volunteer run.
We employ no staff and keep administrative costs to an absolute
minimum so that donations go directly to the people and projects that need them most.

“All of our UK team are volunteers… we aim to keep all overheads to an absolute minimum.”

Sustainable projects

We believe in long term impact, not short term fixes. Too many well intentioned projects fail because ongoing costs and
maintenance aren’t considered. We focus on initiatives that can become self supporting and continue to benefit communities for
years to come.

“We try as much as possible to ‘kick start’ projects that can become
self supporting"

Local partnerships

Real change happens when local people lead. We work alongside individuals and groups already doing good work, supporting rather than directing. We are committed to avoiding the “white saviour” mindset and ensuring that every project is shaped by local knowledge, priorities, and leadership.

“We look for local people who are already doing good work and try
to support them.”

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Who we are

Anazao was founded in 2009 by Glenn and Sue Huntington, Julie Callin, and Tim Cole, united by a shared commitment to supporting communities and faith‑based partners across Africa. After Glenn’s untimely passing, the Board grew to include Sue Waddington and Martyn Swansborough, and in 2024 we were delighted to welcome Letitia Forster, Langton Chipangula and Denzel Matsaudza.

Our trustees bring diverse and complementary experience from work with faith communities, missionaries, and grassroots organisations across the continent. Each of us feels called to use our skills, relationships, and lived experience to make a meaningful and lasting difference to the people and communities we serve.

Sue Waddington - Chairperson

Sue joined the board of Anazao in 2019. She has a particular focus on medical supply projects in The Gambia.

Her passion is enabling the Gambian people to have access to essential health care, especially those who would not otherwise receive it due to lack of affordability.

In addition to her work in healthcare,

Sue is also committed to seeking food provisions for underprivileged children and young people, striving to improve their wellbeing and opportunities through dedicated support initiatives.

Julie Callin - Secretary

Julie is one of Anazao’s founding members and brings a lifelong commitment to improving health and wellbeing in African communities. With a professional background in health and social care, she now serves as a Public Governor at her local NHS Trust and as a Trustee for a Hospice, continuing her dedication to compassionate, community‑centred leadership.

She has been connected with The Gambia for more than 30 years. Her work focuses on strengthening healthcare, expanding access to safe drinking water, and developing sustainable community farms—practical initiatives that create lasting change.

Julie has a blend of professional expertise, governance experience, and deep personal commitment to the communities Anazao serves.

Martyn Swansborough

Martyn has a banking and financial services background. He is a mentor to business students, a regular blood donor, and an active fundraiser & volunteer for several charities at home and abroad.

We partner with churches and faith communities in The Gambia, West Africa, to share the message of the Kingdom of God and to support practical projects that transform daily life. Our work is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and a deep respect for the communities we serve.