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Council’s £20k Africa cash delay

Penny Coles and Adam Derbyshire
28/ 2/2007

AN AFRICAN village is still waiting for a £20,000 donation almost two years after it was pledged by council leader Roy Oldham.

The cash was promised to Kiagware in Kenya, which is without running water or electricity and is struggling against the threat of malaria.

Councillor Oldham was deeply moved after watching a BBC documentary on its plight. He announced the donation in the Advertiser in April 2005 and hoped the money would "kickstart" a long relationship between Kiagware and Tameside.

The council says the delay is due to difficulties in finding a charity which will agree to spend the money in Kiagware only.

However, the council has now convinced an aid agency to take on its request and is waiting for a signed undertaking.

Tameside fundraisers Debbie and Sid Lee have helped collect thousands for the village and say the delay is frustrating.

Debbie, of Holden Clough Drive, Ashton, said: "When people are dying of malaria, two years is a very long time to resolve an administrative issue."

Charles Tineger is in charge of the Kiagware Social Fund, which receives donations for the village, and confirmed no money had been received.

Mr Tineger, headteacher of Kiagware Secondary School, said: "The feelings of many people here are that one day Councillor Oldham's pledge will be fulfilled.

"They believe in a saying 'Promise never dies or gets old'."

Village chief Peter Kombo said the number of malaria cases is up.

Mr Kombo said: "As of today I have 118 cases of malaria in the village, including 51 children.

"Mr Tineger and my wife Alexina are among the sick. They are getting local herbs and some Western drugs but it is sad news and I have no peace in my heart at the moment."

Councillor Oldham said: "I am committed to spending the inflation-linked £20,000 grant pledged on long-term health benefits for the people of Kiagware.

"I am very confident that Tameside Council will be able to bring sustainable benefit to the Kiagware people but to do that we must follow the necessary legal requirements both in this country and in Kenya. I am is expecting to make an announcement in the very near future."