Papers of Simon Maddrell regarding his overseas development work, related academic study and work of his charity Excellent Development
Date(s): 1985-2009
Creator(s): various
Scope & Content: Contents comprise an expedition report 'Harambee '85', 'Harambee '85 report on a return visit July-September 1988', bound copy of Simon's BA dissertation, 'Without Vision We Perish' (an evaluation study of the Utooni Development Project Kola, Machakos, Kenya, 1989), Excellent Development Ltd annual review 2008-2009, Charity Awards 2008 dinner guest directory and table plan, scrapbook of cuttings and ephemera about Excellent Development and its profile raising and fund raising and business card of charity founder, Simon Maddrell.
Administration / Biographical History: In 2002 Manxman Simon Maddrell took voluntary redundancy and commited to working full time enabling diadvantaged rural communities in semi-arid Africa to transform their environment sustainably and to improve water supplies, food production, health and incomes. With Kenyan farmer and engineer Joshua Mukusya Maddrell founded the charity Excellent Development. It aimed to only develop projects at the request of the local community, to be built using voluntary local labour. Schemes such as sand dams (which provide a year-round source of filtered water), terracing soil to reduce erosion and tree planting were undertaken. In 2010 the charity was helping 67 community groups in Kenya, many involved in subsistence farming. The charity was named as the 2008 UK Charity of the Year and was one of the Daily Telegraph's charities in its 2009 Christmas Charity Appeal.
Maddrell's connection to Kenya bagain in 1984 when he visited the area as a venture scout.
Simon was born in the Isle of Man, raised in Bolton and after twenty years in London now lives in Brighton and Hove. His family owned Grenaby farm near Bride for 350 years. While living off island for his adult life he has returned frequently and calls the Island home. In June 2008 he met with supporters here to lay foundations for setting up an Island branch of the London based charity. During his visit the Tynwald Overseas Aid Committee, which had contributed to Excellent Development for three years, pledged nearly £60,000 to fund three projects. In 2007 ten young Islanders went to Kenya as part of a Freedom to Flourish project.
Language: English
Extent: 1 box
Collection: Manuscript Archive
Level: FONDS
ID number: MS 15331
Record class: Private
Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Viewable by request during library opening hours at the Manx National Heritage Library and Archives, Manx Museum, Douglas, Isle of Man. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.im