Sue MacDonald (far left) and Nikki Nicholdon (far right) have recently returned from the Gambia, where they helped to build a maternity hospital

TWO Islanders have just returned from the Gambia where they helped to build a maternity hospital.

Sue MacDonald (58) and Nikki Nicholson (46) spent most of November in Sohm, a village of 3,000 inhabitants, overseeing the completion of the building.

It will mean that mothers-to-be, who used to give birth at home or travel to the next big town along poor roads, will now be able to have their child in their own village.

The November trip was one of many that Mrs MacDonald, who works for Jersey Heritage at Elizabeth Castle for Jersey Heritage, and Mrs Nicholson, who works for the Co-op at Charing Cross have made to the village following their first trip with Jersey Overseas Aid in 2004.

Their latest project cost £12,000 and a grand opening of the maternity facility is expected to take place in March which the couple hope to attend.

The money for the new facility was raised by a charity that the women set up called Jersey-Sohm Friendship.

Every penny they raised from sponsored walks and bag collections goes to those in need in Sohm.

Mrs MacDonald said: ‘In 2004 an Overseas Aid team of twelve, including myself and Nikki, went to build a skills centre in Sohm and were so taken by the charm of the people, but so saddened by the conditions in which they were living, that we felt we would like to help.

‘So we used the funds we had raised as a team to make improvements to the village. When we had all agreed what was needed, Nikki and I decided to return the following year to organise the projects.

‘There were many things to choose from but we decided the most urgent was to refurbish the school sick bay which doubled as a clinic when travelling medics visited the village.’

The plans developed to include the medical facility. ‘It is hard to imagine without being there and seeing it, but some of the experiences we have are fantastic,’ said Mrs MacDonald.

The pair pay for their own travel and expenses when they go twice a year, so that every single penny goes to those in need.