A HOLIDAY to The Gambia proved to be life-changing experience for Rod and Judi Arthern.

Four years ago, the couple travelled to the African country on a bargain break.

But they had no idea they would return regularly to help make a difference.

Rod, aged 54, and Judi, aged 49, are now dedicated to supporting local people projects in the town of Kololi.

Rod, who is fundraising manager for Guide Dogs for the Blind, said: "We had never been to Gambia before and we came across a cheap break there and decided to go.

"It is a beautiful place with stunning beaches but there is so much poverty, with so many families out of work.

"It is not that they do not want to work but they do not have the means to get started.

"Judi is not easily moved to tears, but she was when she saw a family living in little more than a clay shed. I have sheds in my back yard which are in better condition. It was she who inspired me to do something."

And a poster in an Oxfam shop on their return provided the inspiration on how best to help.

Rod, of Bradley Fold, said: "The poster said Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, give a man a boat and you feed a whole village'.

"That was the best way to help the community, by providing them with the tools to help themselves.

"We now travel to the country three times a year. We enjoy a holiday and also help the local community while we are there."

The couple, who have four grown-up children, started by raising £365 to buy a family a 30ft fishing boat.

They recently raised money to build a restaurant and bar to improve tourism in the area.

Rod said: "To raise £365 is just £1 a day for a year - that really is nothing. This man now has five fishing boats."

The couple, through various events, have raised money to buy other families a taxi and a mini-bus and have become part of the community in Kololi.

And they are now embarking on their biggest project to date - to help a primary school.

Rod said: "The school caters for 1,100 pupils, yet the building is unbelievably basic.

"The school has only six rooms, and you wonder how all the children can get in the school.

"The resource and library facility has to be seen to been believed. The medicine cupboard has cotton wool, which has been used and will be reused."

He said it costs parents 30p a year to put their child through school, with the rest coming from subsidies.

"Without education the children do not have a future," he said. "Parents realise this and are keen to send their children to school.

"I asked the school to provide a shopping list, and they included a motorbike, together with pens, pencils and other things.

"They said they could use the motorbike to take a sick child home. Can you imagine that happening here?"

Future plans for the school include growing vegetables which the school can use to feed the children, and sell any extra to make money.

Rod said: "This is our biggest project yet, and will be on-going for some time.

"But it is worth it to see the smile on the children's faces when you given them something like a football - you haven't just made their day you have made their year.

"So many children in the UK do not realise how lucky they are.

"We are only scratching at the surface. Small amounts of money go a long way over there."

Anyone who would like to help can contact Rod by email on rodarthern@aol.com