New book raises funds for charity – Action Through Enterprise

When teacher, Sarah Gardner, left Ramsbury, for ‘an adventure’ in Ghana, Africa, as a charity volunteer, she had no clue about the challenges she’d be facing or that her experiences would lead to the founding of the charity – Action Through Enterprise, now in its tenth year. Just published, To Lawra with love, is her memoir. Co-written with Michele Carlisle, a TV producer, the book is described as a “funny, heart-warming, hard-hitting memoir, revealing a turbulent yet ultimately positive and life-changing ten years.” A donation will made to the charity for every book sold. Click here to buy one.

“I was just a normal Ramsbury girl,” Sarah recalls, “with a comfortable if rather sheltered life. Like so many young women, I wanted to do something exciting, be useful in the world, maybe even fall in love. It turns out, I had a lot to learn.”

To Lawra with love follows Sarah’s incredible journey to the remote district of Lawra, Upper West Ghana, where she struggled to even look after herself. “I got malaria, twice, I fell off my motorbike constantly and completely failed at the task I’d been sent to do. It was only when a terrible tragedy shocked me to the core, that I realised everything had to change. I began listening to what local people said that they needed, and that was the turning point.”

Within a year, Sarah and her family had launched their own charity, Action Through Enterprise, initially funded by their neighbours, who attended cake sales, did sponsored events and rallied to support a village three thousand miles away. Many Ramsbury, Hungerford and Newbury residents are featured in the book.

Action Through Enterprise works in Upper West Ghana, tackling poverty and creating opportunities. It has helped three thousand children to attend school and provided school meals, uniforms and educational materials. It has launched and mentored more than 120 small businesses and dry season farmers, and supported 45 apprentices. It has enabled over 400 disabled children and their families to access education and work, and live lives of dignity and hope.

It does all this on a budget of around £225k a year, uplifting a community of over 50,000. Supporter Sir John Sawers says: “It’s tremendous value for money and I back it all the way.”

The charity has just celebrated its tenth anniversary – and plans to expand to new districts in Upper West Ghana.

Sarah commented, “Lawra is one of the poorest districts of Ghana, and many people only eat three or four times a week during dry season. The work we do is literally life-saving and life-changing. I’m excited to be sharing these stories of transformation with a wider audience.”

If you would like to make a booking for Sarah to speak to a group you belong to click here. The book is also available at the usual online outlets.