Friday 4 March 2011
The Observer
Thursday 3 March 2011
Photos of The Gambia trip
I have set up a Flikr account and you can see a gallery of photos in there:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60173824@N07/sets/72157626062548501/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60173824@N07/sets/72157626062548501/
Back home to the cold weather
A very enjoyable and emotional trip has now ended, and everyone involved arrived safely back into Manchester last night.
Emotional farewells were given to the hotel staff and our new 'family' members Lamin and Michael, who after enjoying the week of their lives held back the tears as we left. We have promised to keep in touch, and hope that one day we can bring them over to England to enjoy our culture.
It was also lovely to see some of the villagers waiting for us at Banjul Airport to say goodbye, it is clear to everyone how this trip has touched the hearts of many Gambians.
Emotional farewells were given to the hotel staff and our new 'family' members Lamin and Michael, who after enjoying the week of their lives held back the tears as we left. We have promised to keep in touch, and hope that one day we can bring them over to England to enjoy our culture.
It was also lovely to see some of the villagers waiting for us at Banjul Airport to say goodbye, it is clear to everyone how this trip has touched the hearts of many Gambians.
Tuesday 1 March 2011
Final workshops at the school and major football match
A final emotional trip was made to the primary school in Bafulotu this morning, where all the final workshops for the school were to take place. Our journeys consist of two taxi vans (not in the best of condition) which take us through the very busy streets before a dusty terrain. Lisa's taxi stopped off at a market to purchase some string and a football (come to this later), while we made our way straight to the school to set things up for everyone else to arrive. Believe me, you get such a welcome from the people that live here and the children were so excited to see us again.
Two parachutes were set up, and stations were created for the groups to do some craft work.
Once the other bus arrived, the children got into their groups (Tigers, Elephants and Monkeys) and did their 'warm up' songs before moving to their stations and working on their finger puppets. Using colours and glitter, the children are now really expressing themselves and seem so much more confident than when we first arrived.
We had also brought with us some masks for the children, so they could wear them for when they return home. Imagine our disappointment that we had to cut them all out using a template with children's scissors (at rapid speed). However, a few of us got to grips with it and in the nick of time, the children were able to wear their masks proudly.
Once the children had finished and left for the day, we were invited into a classroom where a presentation by the committee and the chief of the tribe was delivered to us. They thanked us warmly for coming to the school, and for educating them and the children. Quite a few emotional speeches were thankfully captured on video. Whilst the presentation was in place, the local village women were cooking us up a good feast and in a true Gambian style. The food they prepared for us is called Benachin, a popular Gambian meal, which is eaten in a large bowl and by your hands. Each one of us had our hands washed, before we took our places in groups of three and tucked into our feast. Lisa and I were very proud of the students as they all really enjoyed the meal, lots of very nice comments from all and very little food was left.
After our meal, we made our way to the village football pitch were we had been invited to play Bafulotu village team. The pitch is basically sand covering what felt like rock. So in parts it was a very firm surface but in other parts it was basically beach football. The goal posts were made out of wooden poles, with a crossbar (also a wooden pole) placed on top.
The Bafulotu team were all smartly dressed in the Leigh Rugby tops that we had handed out a day earlier and Winstanley had our select eleven including our new family members Lamin and Michael, plus a couple of villagers joined our team. The Winstanley select eleven, had been discussing tactics the night before at The African Queen restaurant, so it was all very serious.
It was a close game under the very hot sun, and thankfully thanks the help of Lamin and Michael, Winstanley won the game 3-2.
After the game, we said our goodbyes to the villagers. The students were crying a lot and asked us on many occasions if they could stay for longer. It was extremely heartbreaking to see them like this. The visit has really touched the hearts of the students and all the hard work was totally worth while. We made our way back to the hotel to relax beside the pool. However the boys also had the final water polo game to play, which they won also.
Tonight we are having our final meal together and saying goodbye to all the friends we have met here (and Laura is saying goodbye to the dogs that have followed her everywhere!
What a remarkable day and what amazing students we have been blessed with on this trip x
Two parachutes were set up, and stations were created for the groups to do some craft work.
Once the other bus arrived, the children got into their groups (Tigers, Elephants and Monkeys) and did their 'warm up' songs before moving to their stations and working on their finger puppets. Using colours and glitter, the children are now really expressing themselves and seem so much more confident than when we first arrived.
We had also brought with us some masks for the children, so they could wear them for when they return home. Imagine our disappointment that we had to cut them all out using a template with children's scissors (at rapid speed). However, a few of us got to grips with it and in the nick of time, the children were able to wear their masks proudly.
Once the children had finished and left for the day, we were invited into a classroom where a presentation by the committee and the chief of the tribe was delivered to us. They thanked us warmly for coming to the school, and for educating them and the children. Quite a few emotional speeches were thankfully captured on video. Whilst the presentation was in place, the local village women were cooking us up a good feast and in a true Gambian style. The food they prepared for us is called Benachin, a popular Gambian meal, which is eaten in a large bowl and by your hands. Each one of us had our hands washed, before we took our places in groups of three and tucked into our feast. Lisa and I were very proud of the students as they all really enjoyed the meal, lots of very nice comments from all and very little food was left.
After our meal, we made our way to the village football pitch were we had been invited to play Bafulotu village team. The pitch is basically sand covering what felt like rock. So in parts it was a very firm surface but in other parts it was basically beach football. The goal posts were made out of wooden poles, with a crossbar (also a wooden pole) placed on top.
The Bafulotu team were all smartly dressed in the Leigh Rugby tops that we had handed out a day earlier and Winstanley had our select eleven including our new family members Lamin and Michael, plus a couple of villagers joined our team. The Winstanley select eleven, had been discussing tactics the night before at The African Queen restaurant, so it was all very serious.
It was a close game under the very hot sun, and thankfully thanks the help of Lamin and Michael, Winstanley won the game 3-2.
After the game, we said our goodbyes to the villagers. The students were crying a lot and asked us on many occasions if they could stay for longer. It was extremely heartbreaking to see them like this. The visit has really touched the hearts of the students and all the hard work was totally worth while. We made our way back to the hotel to relax beside the pool. However the boys also had the final water polo game to play, which they won also.
Tonight we are having our final meal together and saying goodbye to all the friends we have met here (and Laura is saying goodbye to the dogs that have followed her everywhere!
What a remarkable day and what amazing students we have been blessed with on this trip x
Monday 28 February 2011
Football kits galore
Blog by Laura, Georgina, Bekki, Lauren and Martin.
The morning started with our daily bus rides along the treacherous tracks towards the school. We were all allocated different jobs; cutting out stencils so that the students could design their own collage, setting up the banners and paints and laying down the parachutes. The children then painted the stencils of the animals in the jungle and under the sea having a ball with the glitter! It was heartbreaking to see that they couldn't even manage to hold the scissors never mind use them. After collecting shells and leaves the previous day the children used them to print patterns onto the banners before sticking on their animal pictures. The teachers told us that the children had been practicing how to draw cats and tigers all weekend ready for our arrival today.
We then distributed all of the football kits which were donated and each child left with several gifts and a big smile on their face! Some of the villagers also came into the school to see what all the excitement was about so of course they also left with a football kit!! These people never have white people in their village so it has been a fantastic time and experience for both.
Georgina has missed McDonalds and Laura has become the Gambia's version of Ceaser the dog whisperer as everywhere she goes several dogs follow her!! It has become a running joke of the trip!
Most of the boys had a back massage by the pool which also made the girls giggle!! They do deserve it as they have been working hard!!!!
Anyway we have got to go before the generator stops working AGAIN!!! It has been a very eventful day!!!
PS the girls won (with the help of Martin!) the water polo today!!
See you all soon back in sunny Wigan!
The morning started with our daily bus rides along the treacherous tracks towards the school. We were all allocated different jobs; cutting out stencils so that the students could design their own collage, setting up the banners and paints and laying down the parachutes. The children then painted the stencils of the animals in the jungle and under the sea having a ball with the glitter! It was heartbreaking to see that they couldn't even manage to hold the scissors never mind use them. After collecting shells and leaves the previous day the children used them to print patterns onto the banners before sticking on their animal pictures. The teachers told us that the children had been practicing how to draw cats and tigers all weekend ready for our arrival today.
We then distributed all of the football kits which were donated and each child left with several gifts and a big smile on their face! Some of the villagers also came into the school to see what all the excitement was about so of course they also left with a football kit!! These people never have white people in their village so it has been a fantastic time and experience for both.
Georgina has missed McDonalds and Laura has become the Gambia's version of Ceaser the dog whisperer as everywhere she goes several dogs follow her!! It has become a running joke of the trip!
Most of the boys had a back massage by the pool which also made the girls giggle!! They do deserve it as they have been working hard!!!!
Anyway we have got to go before the generator stops working AGAIN!!! It has been a very eventful day!!!
PS the girls won (with the help of Martin!) the water polo today!!
See you all soon back in sunny Wigan!
A full days excursion
Started bright and early this morning to have our full days 'tourist' excursion around The Gambia. We were all packed into 3 open top jeeps and set off for our first trip to the Crocodile park. This park also hosts a small museum, were our guides talked us through the very interesting history of The Gambia, the tribes, the war and the Juju (voodoo/black magic). After the museum **I started this blog at 6pm yesterday (27th Feb), but due to the many powercuts we receive here, this is the first chance I have had to carry it on, it is now 3.34pm on the 28th** we were taken to the pool where the crocodiles live. We were told there are over 100 that live in the pool, and each one of us was invited to stroke a crocodile that sat basking in the sun next to the pool. So, one by one we all took the opportunity to stroke the croc, while many other swam around. A number of the students were not convinced that the crocodile we stroked was real. So Lisa paid one of the parks workers to move the crocodile once we were in a safe position...of course the crocodile was real!!
We then jumped back into our jeeps and was taken to the monkey park. Armed with monkey nuts, we made our way through the parks paths - and once one monkey was fed a great number of them arrived. There are many great photographs taken of the students with monkeys on their shoulders eating the nuts. Another great experience for this trip! The monkeys seemed very friendly, although sometimes not with each other as the occasional fight for food happened.
Once we had fed the monkeys we made our way to a 'tie die' factory. Where there was also a small market for us to purchase some gifts, bartering is the key here!
And bartering was also the key to another market we were taken too but not until we had quickly made a stop at an abattoir, where you could witness many cattle eating and many vultures flying up above! The craft market was also an experience, where each market trader wanted you to enter their shop and see their handycraft, it takes a lot of energy sometimes to get around these markets, but you can also purchase some great bargains!!
We were all desperately hungry at this point. So we were taken to a secluded beach called 'paradise beach', were a large buffet was waiting for us. We then took the opportunity to relax after our feast.
Our final excursion was to a liquor factory. Where their owners had come in on their days off to talk us through the process of their very exclusive drinks. We were all allowed to sample a few tasters before people purchased some gifts.
A great day for sure! And we headed back to the hotel after this very full day, to relax for a short while. We all decided to each at the 'curry house' beach house, just outside the hotel. Our food was very late in coming but also delicious. But during the wait for our food, we had great African entertainment with drummers and dancers and not forgetting the 'fire man' who danced in the flames of a fire, and also ate burning embers from the wood. Crazy stuff!!
We have also had a wonderful day today - but I will explain all hopefully later in a separate post.
We then jumped back into our jeeps and was taken to the monkey park. Armed with monkey nuts, we made our way through the parks paths - and once one monkey was fed a great number of them arrived. There are many great photographs taken of the students with monkeys on their shoulders eating the nuts. Another great experience for this trip! The monkeys seemed very friendly, although sometimes not with each other as the occasional fight for food happened.
Once we had fed the monkeys we made our way to a 'tie die' factory. Where there was also a small market for us to purchase some gifts, bartering is the key here!
And bartering was also the key to another market we were taken too but not until we had quickly made a stop at an abattoir, where you could witness many cattle eating and many vultures flying up above! The craft market was also an experience, where each market trader wanted you to enter their shop and see their handycraft, it takes a lot of energy sometimes to get around these markets, but you can also purchase some great bargains!!
We were all desperately hungry at this point. So we were taken to a secluded beach called 'paradise beach', were a large buffet was waiting for us. We then took the opportunity to relax after our feast.
Our final excursion was to a liquor factory. Where their owners had come in on their days off to talk us through the process of their very exclusive drinks. We were all allowed to sample a few tasters before people purchased some gifts.
A great day for sure! And we headed back to the hotel after this very full day, to relax for a short while. We all decided to each at the 'curry house' beach house, just outside the hotel. Our food was very late in coming but also delicious. But during the wait for our food, we had great African entertainment with drummers and dancers and not forgetting the 'fire man' who danced in the flames of a fire, and also ate burning embers from the wood. Crazy stuff!!
We have also had a wonderful day today - but I will explain all hopefully later in a separate post.
Saturday 26 February 2011
Saturday 26th September
Afternoon everyone,
After an extremely fun packed evening last night with the campfire party and loud singing and African drumming we had a well deserved lie in this morning. The student experienced a Gambian powercut last night just as they were going to bed, the sky was amazing and we spent a while trying to figure out all the different stars!
This morning Anthony and I went for breakfast at 8.30am just in case there were any students up already. Josh and James had woken already and were going for a walk on the beach. The day has been spent playing water polo and volleyball and cutting out stencils for Mondays workshop activities.
The weather is extremely hot today and the students are spending a lot of time in the shade ( which makes my job much easier!!) tonight we are going in the mini bus to Kololi which is the busiest town in the Gambia to an African restaurant which will be fun. I am amazed at how experimental they have all been with regards to the food here. I am very impressed!! However Georgina did ask if there was a McDonalds!
The students have also been listening to stories from the taxi driver about life in the Gambia and also about the Muslim religion which is very helpful for their exams coming up!
Have to go as the Rugby is on soon!!!
After an extremely fun packed evening last night with the campfire party and loud singing and African drumming we had a well deserved lie in this morning. The student experienced a Gambian powercut last night just as they were going to bed, the sky was amazing and we spent a while trying to figure out all the different stars!
This morning Anthony and I went for breakfast at 8.30am just in case there were any students up already. Josh and James had woken already and were going for a walk on the beach. The day has been spent playing water polo and volleyball and cutting out stencils for Mondays workshop activities.
The weather is extremely hot today and the students are spending a lot of time in the shade ( which makes my job much easier!!) tonight we are going in the mini bus to Kololi which is the busiest town in the Gambia to an African restaurant which will be fun. I am amazed at how experimental they have all been with regards to the food here. I am very impressed!! However Georgina did ask if there was a McDonalds!
The students have also been listening to stories from the taxi driver about life in the Gambia and also about the Muslim religion which is very helpful for their exams coming up!
Have to go as the Rugby is on soon!!!
Friday 25 February 2011
What a busy day!
After a great nights karaoke at the hotel last night, it was a surprise to see all the students rise bright and early this morning for what was the first days workshops with the children of the school.
It's quite a journey to the school, and you certainly see some sights on the way. Every place seems so busy, with people all moving around and working hard, but they always have a smile and wave for you. The Gambian people are so friendly and you can't fail but to feel welcome in this wonderful country.
The venture to the school also takes you on a dirt track, which is very dry and sandy. On either side of the dirt track you will see peoples homes and villages, or shops or workshops. You will also see farms, were there are lots of cattle and goats, these animals often can be seen just walking down the road. Some of us were fortunate to see a couple of monkeys this morning running across the road.
We arrived to the school with a great number of very excited children. And these children were about to experience a type of education they have never had before.
Areas around the school grounds were set up for painting and drawing, we had a reading library shaded under a big tree. We set up two parachutes and three quick cricket sets.
All the children were split up in to 3 groups (tigers, elephants and monkeys). And a group of students took charge of each of the children's groups.
To break down the barriers, the children were invited to form three large circles. And they each sang songs, such as 'heads, shoulders, knees and toes', 'ring a ring a roses', 'okey kokey' and 'wind the bobbin up'. They were then sent in their groups to do different activities.
It was so lovely to see the children painting pictures, playing cricket and generally having a great time. Many comments were given to us about how the children have never had anything like this. All of the children were for the first time in their lives able to paint a picture and take it home to their family. It's so humbling.
The children were busy with all the activities up until 12.45, a very busy day for them and a very busy day for the students also. The heat really makes you tire.
We then handed out gifts to the hardest working children of the day, and they really didn't know what to make of it. Again it is so humbling to know that it takes a while for these children to understand that the gifts are for them to take home with them.
After a hard mornings work, we then took the long hot journey back to the hotel. Where again, you just have many strangers just waving to you or saying hello - very different to back home.
Tonight we are going to have some food on a beach bar, and tomorrow is a day off as it is the national cleaning day in The Gambia. So, we will likely chill around the pool or go to the beach. And Sunday is our big excursion, which has been nicely planned!
It's quite a journey to the school, and you certainly see some sights on the way. Every place seems so busy, with people all moving around and working hard, but they always have a smile and wave for you. The Gambian people are so friendly and you can't fail but to feel welcome in this wonderful country.
The venture to the school also takes you on a dirt track, which is very dry and sandy. On either side of the dirt track you will see peoples homes and villages, or shops or workshops. You will also see farms, were there are lots of cattle and goats, these animals often can be seen just walking down the road. Some of us were fortunate to see a couple of monkeys this morning running across the road.
We arrived to the school with a great number of very excited children. And these children were about to experience a type of education they have never had before.
Areas around the school grounds were set up for painting and drawing, we had a reading library shaded under a big tree. We set up two parachutes and three quick cricket sets.
All the children were split up in to 3 groups (tigers, elephants and monkeys). And a group of students took charge of each of the children's groups.
To break down the barriers, the children were invited to form three large circles. And they each sang songs, such as 'heads, shoulders, knees and toes', 'ring a ring a roses', 'okey kokey' and 'wind the bobbin up'. They were then sent in their groups to do different activities.
It was so lovely to see the children painting pictures, playing cricket and generally having a great time. Many comments were given to us about how the children have never had anything like this. All of the children were for the first time in their lives able to paint a picture and take it home to their family. It's so humbling.
The children were busy with all the activities up until 12.45, a very busy day for them and a very busy day for the students also. The heat really makes you tire.
We then handed out gifts to the hardest working children of the day, and they really didn't know what to make of it. Again it is so humbling to know that it takes a while for these children to understand that the gifts are for them to take home with them.
After a hard mornings work, we then took the long hot journey back to the hotel. Where again, you just have many strangers just waving to you or saying hello - very different to back home.
Tonight we are going to have some food on a beach bar, and tomorrow is a day off as it is the national cleaning day in The Gambia. So, we will likely chill around the pool or go to the beach. And Sunday is our big excursion, which has been nicely planned!
Thursday 24 February 2011
What a welcome!
If this morning doesn't give the students life experience then nothing will. We arrived at Mason Primary School, and you couldn't help but be emotional at the welcome the children gave us.
As we entered the school grounds we were invited to sit in front of the children, who were all lined up in their school uniforms (looking very smart) were they sang a number of welcome songs and individually danced, whilst inviting each one of us to dance with them. We (on the spot) had to sing a song back to the children...and this is were 'heads - shoulders - knees and toes' came into place. All the little children all responded to the song and joined in as best as they could.
We were then taken to were some of the villagers were playing drums, and they all danced for us and invited us to dance and use sticks to clap a rhythm along as they entertained.
We were then introduced to individuals who play an important role at the school and the village, such as the headmaster, teachers, treasurer and the tribe leader himself. It was all very moving.
The opportunity was there for us to then treat the children, with sweets that we had brought along. To see their little faces glow when they received a treat makes the journey absolutely worthwhile.
A journalist was also present from the national press, and we have been told that the students will receive a copy of the newspaper before we leave.
Our thoughts are now on tomorrow and the workshops we have in place. So, we made our way back to the hotel to relax by the pool - where the students played water polo, and then went onto the beach to play football and beach volleyball.
There is to be karaoke at the hotel tonight, so we plan to eat here at the Palm Beach Hotel and sing the night away!
Apologies for the lack of photographs, unfortunately the internet connection isn't too great and the computers are struggling to upload the images...but we will keep trying!
As we entered the school grounds we were invited to sit in front of the children, who were all lined up in their school uniforms (looking very smart) were they sang a number of welcome songs and individually danced, whilst inviting each one of us to dance with them. We (on the spot) had to sing a song back to the children...and this is were 'heads - shoulders - knees and toes' came into place. All the little children all responded to the song and joined in as best as they could.
We were then taken to were some of the villagers were playing drums, and they all danced for us and invited us to dance and use sticks to clap a rhythm along as they entertained.
We were then introduced to individuals who play an important role at the school and the village, such as the headmaster, teachers, treasurer and the tribe leader himself. It was all very moving.
The opportunity was there for us to then treat the children, with sweets that we had brought along. To see their little faces glow when they received a treat makes the journey absolutely worthwhile.
A journalist was also present from the national press, and we have been told that the students will receive a copy of the newspaper before we leave.
Our thoughts are now on tomorrow and the workshops we have in place. So, we made our way back to the hotel to relax by the pool - where the students played water polo, and then went onto the beach to play football and beach volleyball.
There is to be karaoke at the hotel tonight, so we plan to eat here at the Palm Beach Hotel and sing the night away!
Apologies for the lack of photographs, unfortunately the internet connection isn't too great and the computers are struggling to upload the images...but we will keep trying!
Wednesday morning...
Well last night was a fantastic night. We all ate Gambian food late into the night on the local beach bar, where we all enjoyed local entertainment with drummers and dancers. The students really let their hair down last night, as all of them danced away with the locals and even joined in on the drumming.
As I write this blog, some students are having their breakfast and some are still getting ready before we venture out to a village school to await our arrival...gonna be fun!
As I write this blog, some students are having their breakfast and some are still getting ready before we venture out to a village school to await our arrival...gonna be fun!
Wednesday 23 February 2011
We have arrived!
Well, just to let you all know that we all arrived safely in The Gambia this afternoon to a blistering 35 degrees - so nice to get away from the long winter we have been having back in England.
It felt like a long journey, but the wait for our baggage felt even longer. We must have been waiting for all our luggage and charity baggage for over an hour at the airport, before tipping (think the tips have helped a number of Gambians today) our way to the coach. The transfer wasn't long but it was very hot and there was no air conditioning.
Of course the first thing the majority of the students wanted to do on arrival to the hotel was to jump in the pool to cool off. A water polo game was arranged, while other chilled by the pool and ordered drinks and food from the bar.
Tonight will see a split in the camp as a number of people will be watching the Man Utd game in the hotel bar, while others will find some local entertainment.
Tomorrow is an exciting one for all of us. We are to be picked up at 9am and taken to the village, where we have been told there is to be a welcoming party for us. We have been told that the press will also be there, so we are all looking forward to meeting the children and handing out football shirts and sweets!!
It felt like a long journey, but the wait for our baggage felt even longer. We must have been waiting for all our luggage and charity baggage for over an hour at the airport, before tipping (think the tips have helped a number of Gambians today) our way to the coach. The transfer wasn't long but it was very hot and there was no air conditioning.
Of course the first thing the majority of the students wanted to do on arrival to the hotel was to jump in the pool to cool off. A water polo game was arranged, while other chilled by the pool and ordered drinks and food from the bar.
Tonight will see a split in the camp as a number of people will be watching the Man Utd game in the hotel bar, while others will find some local entertainment.
Tomorrow is an exciting one for all of us. We are to be picked up at 9am and taken to the village, where we have been told there is to be a welcoming party for us. We have been told that the press will also be there, so we are all looking forward to meeting the children and handing out football shirts and sweets!!
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