WHERE DID MAY GO?

I asked the guy at the internet the date today and got a real shock, I have lost a fortnight!  Living in the African bush, cut off from tv and being bombarded by constant bad news of war and worldwide atrocities has its advantages but to think I have lost a fortnight I never knew had passed was an eye-opener, I think I need a calendar!  I have to admit, I have been a little busy, since the container arrived and I set up the new playscheme, I have been inundated with children, babies to teenagers, coming to try out the new equipment. 

 

I have two 11 year old girls staying with me at present while Modou is up country in his home village of Kerewan Samba Sira.  I am teaching them to read, as despite having been at their school for four years they haven't been taught how to read, another shocker eh!  My attempts to improve literacy are working I have to say, these kids are bright and have so much enthusiasm for learning, it is a real pleasure to be helping them achieve their aims.  They are already reading simple, short books to the younger kids, already passing on their recent knowledge to help the little ones.  It's the only way it will work, if they also help themselves and I have to say, I am impressed with their tenacity and patience.  Wish I had a little more of it, by 9pm when they are still in full-swing, I am shattered and tend to dive under my mosquito net by then.  So where did my missing fortnight go?  I think I must have slept a lot of it away!  Till next time, Debbie x

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Visit to Monkey Park

Last Saturday I took a small group of children, Malang, Sally, Efo, Kuta and Maryama for a day out. As my car has been off the road, we travelled by local transport and went to Bijilo Forest Park (Monkey Park) where the children got up close and personal with two types of monkeys, saw lots of gorgeous birds, watched an artist at work and enjoyed climbing the trees in the forest.  We then went to the beach for a swim followed by a meal at a local restaurant called Milly's where you can eat for just under £1!  We then visited the Senegambia Craft Market where the children watched the artists and carvers at work. We finished off our jam-packed day with a visit to Tanji fishing village to buy fish for dinner.  A great day was had by all and it cost less than a tenner for all of us, including transportation, meal, drinks and snacks.  The Smiling Coast of The Gambia awaits!!