A group of local volunteers has returned home with a new appreciation for everything Chatham-Kent has to offer.
Members of the Rotary Club of Chatham Sunrise recently embarked on a mission to the Republic of The Gambia on the west coast of Africa. The delegation visited a school in the Kuntaur region, where they met with local government officials, village elders, and students.
As Rotary members themselves, Mayor Darrin Canniff and his wife Christine were part of the trip, paid for out of their own pockets. Canniff says they gained valuable insight into the daily realities of the community and helped strengthen relationships that Rotary International has been building in the region.
“This volunteer experience was deeply meaningful,” Canniff said in a written statement. “The connections we made with residents, local officials, and especially the children were genuine and lasting. It was a powerful reminder of how much impact can be made through direct engagement, listening, and showing up with both humility and purpose. It really struck me that, for so many reasons, we’re all truly privileged to call Chatham-Kent our home.”
The group rolled up their sleeves to provide support for the village’s residents, supplying 30 water filtration units, 60 bicycles, 60 school desks, 160 backpacks, and a variety of teaching aids, as well as financial support for a fresh water well.
The mission trip was sponsored in part by several local businesses, including Winmar, Schinkels Gourmet Meats, and Krunal Patel, who runs several local Shoppers Drug Mart stores.
