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Hilary Lawther reports from The Gambia ~ November 2009

2.11.09
Back to Gambia for the winter. Been a hectic summer collecting all the items to be shipped, boxing them and packing the container to arrive mid-November. Are still amazed by everyone's generosity. We also had a dinner dance in October and with an attendance of 134 managed to raise 5500 pounds towards Naata nursery. So here we are at the airport and everything is on time so we will soon be back in the sun, or so we thought. Arrived at Banjul airport half an hour early to cloud and intermittent rain. Everything is so green and there are standing puddles everywhere which tells us that the rainy season is not quite over! Rained twice on the way to our house so our luggage which was in the back of the truck was wet!
3.11.09 urgent text from England, an email had arrived to say that the container was already in port here.! Rushed into Banjul to start the procedure for the duty waiver, got in touch with Mr. Bah the MP to see if he could help. Visited the Ministry of Education and got the ball rolling, but all officials were out at a meeting and we have to return in the morning before 9am to get a signature. Went to the shipping company and found that the documents were not yet here so had to chase them, apparently they go via Germany and would be with us the next day. evening out with Maurice and Sandra who were on our flight.
4.11.09 Spent the day between the shipping office, the customs and the education and finance ministries trying to sort the paperwork. The documents have arrived fortunately so we were able to progress things a little further. We called at the storeroom to ensure everything is ready and tidy for a delivery.
5.11.09 Back to Banjul this morning to the shippers. there is a problem with the paperwork, apparently there is a new rule where you have to show the gross and net weight of the container separately. We managed to get someone to pass this eventually, but are told for next time it has to be on. DHL say this is a new one one them but will adhere to it next time. Finally managed to get the container released for inspection. 2 police, one National Intelligence Agency, 3 port officials, 2 customs and Steve, Lamin and I stood and watched as they cut the seal and unloaded several dozen chairs until one small person was able to climb on top of the rest of the things in the container and see that all it contained were chairs, tables and boxes and listed on our manifest. The container was sealed and we then entered phase 3. we have to back at the docks first thing in the morning for scanning. Very humid today, sat in the garden in the evening as cooler.
6.11.09 Back to Banjul first thing in the morning with Lamin. We are able to get release on the container today which we were sceptical about as it is Friday. We waited while the release paperwork was signed and the container was taken off the pile and onto the back of our wagon to go to be scanned.  The time was 1.30 and we were promised a delivery within the next hour and a half after prayers. We left Lamin with the driver and we returned to the storeroom to meet the boys who have been engaged for the unloading. And we waited, and we waited. it was 5pm before the container arrived and we then spent 3 hours unloading, frantically for the last hour as it was dark and the electric in the store was not working. we had only 1 torch from a nearby shop. The boys worked very hard and were kept going with sachets of water and biscuits. The container is like an oven in this weather and we had to keep changing the teams around so that no-one was inside for more than 15 minutes.
8.11.09 Sunday We had a visit from Mr. Touray from Nyofelleh this morning as we had telephone to ask him if he still needed the furniture which we had promised last year. He came on the Sunday and we sorted out that he would arrange a truck to fetch chairs and tables on the Monday morning. Maurice and Sandra came around for tea and whilst they were there we also had a visit from Madi Jatta who used to be at the Ministry of Education and who is on a 2 year secondment to the Independent Electoral Commission.
9.11.09 Maurice and Sandra came with us to the storeroom to organise the delivery for Nyofelleh, the truck arrived and we eventually were able to pack and load 160 chairs, 30 tables and 7 benches for the school and nursery at Nyofelleh. Sorted out some things for the visit to Kumbija next week and then we returned home. Steve and I were able to take our first walk on the beach and have a swim in the sea which is very warm at this time of year.
10.11.09 I collected Sandra in the morning and we paid a surprise visit to Nemasu, the staff were delighted to see us as they were not aware we had arrived in the country as yet. We were extremely pleased to see how clean and tidy everything is and how well the children seem to be doing. Mr. Sallah, the headmaster, showed us a chart of the new entrants and the children who had left the previous year and which schools they had gone to. We were pleased to hear that most of the children were so much in advance of their classmates that they had been put up a year after the first couple of weeks.   Sandra very impressed with everything especially the toilets. Evening we had a meal out with Chris Brown and the 5 people with her who had arrived the day before.
11.11.09 Home day. afternoon met Chris Brown at the store and gave them paint to touch up Nemasu where the rain had caused damage in the summer.
12.11.09  Steve took our pickup in for service today as we are travelling up country next week. This consists of driving to the garage which is an area under a large mango tree and staying with the car whilst the mechanic is checking what parts if any he needs. Steve sits under the tree and reads and then he is on hand should any parts be required to produce the money and then drive to one or more of the car parts outlets to collect.
13.11.09 Friday Spent the morning shopping and then in the afternoon Steve, Maurice, Sandra and I went to the storeroom to load a large Ministry of Education truck to deliver furniture to Essau, Ndungu Kebbeh and Kumbija. The original plan was for Steve and Maurice to travel with the truck to ensure everything was delivered to the right school, but we have been warned that this weekend there will be more traffic than usual on the ferry as people will be travelling to Senegal to buy their rams for Tobaski. We loaded the truck and collected paint for Nemasu before going back home. Chris Brown called to collect the paint as they are touching up the buildings and walls at Nemasu after the rains.
14.11.09 Saturday We spent the day gardening and doing the usual house jobs. Maurice and Sandra came around in the afternoon and we had our evening meal together in the garden. We heard at 6pm that the truck with the furniture had not reached its first destination so Maurice and Steve were very grateful they had not travelled!   the truck eventually got to Kumbija at 11pm and did not come back until Sunday, so a narrow escape there!
17.11.09 Breakfast and then Hilary took Gordon and Sharon to see Nemasu which was in the process of being built during their last visit 18 months ago. Marjorie was at the nursery helping with the teaching.   We then went to the storeroom to collect some things for Mr. Jallow's brother at Pallen on the North Bank. We called at the Mansea beach hotel on the way back to meet the others of our party who will be travelling tomorrow.
18.11.09 Wednesday Up at 5am to get ready to travel. Getting a party of 18 ready to travel across the ferry is a feat of logistics. We took Mr. Jallow, Maurice and Sandra to Mansea to meet the others, picking Lamin up on the way. We then met up with Ousman and sorted out the most comfortable arrangement for travelling. Off to the ferry which was very busy, however as we were travelling with Ousman (MP) we had very high priority and managed to get the second ferry. We all arrived at Ndungu Kebbeh, our first stop, around 11am. As we approached the school through the village we were met with many of the school children chanting 'welcome, welcome' lots of photographs were taken by the group as we slowly made our way to the school. We converted a classroom to a library here last season and many of our group had seen the ''before'' but not the after result. An inspection of the library followed and we were impressed with the cleanliness of the room and that all the books have now been indexed and sorted into categories, making it easier for the students to study. The school had arranged a short program involving speeches and then 2 dramas by the students depicting how useful the library is and also the benefits of schooling contrasting 2 bad students against 2 good students.
19.11.09 Thursday The Official Opening of the School at Kumbija. Steve, Chris B, Hilary and Mr. Jallow left early to visit Mr. Jallow's brother on our way to the program which was scheduled to start at 11am. We visited the lower basic school in Pallen and then Mr. Jallow's brother before arriving at the school in plenty of time. A large canopied area had been constructed, drummers were practising and the local ladies committee were also practising a demonstration of breaking the fields up to plant rice and then sowing the seed. The children were all gathered together and Chris B and I fitted out the new ones without uniform with the new uniforms which we had taken with us. Eventually 2 hours later a convoy of vehicles led by a man on horseback with a large flag of indeterminate origin arrived at the village with a police escort. There was lost of excited drumming and singing to greet the visitors. Probably the largest group of white people that the village had ever seen, 13 in total. All of us had tried to dress in bright colours and Marjorie had a special Gambian outfit which had been made the year before including the traditional head piece which one of the hotel ladies had tied for her. We settled down in the provided chairs for the speeches and cultural demonstrations. Gordon and Sharon being the main sponsors occupied pride of place on a large sofa which had been provided for them, next to the regional governor and local MPS, police commissioner, immigration officer, Alkelo, several teachers from surrounding schools and various local dignitaries. The custom here is to recognise all important people by title and name at the beginning of every speech, so as there were at least 8 speeches and then all being translated into other languages this part of the ceremony went on quite a long time. At the end of the speeches, dancing, demonstrations and the children singing all the white visitors were presented with a Gambian outfit made in the village. Each visitor was given their outfit by a different official and was helped into wearing it properly by one of the local women. Chris B decided she wanted the Police commissioner to present hers and he was brought out of the audience for a photo opportunity. After the speeches we had a tour of the school and an opportunity to look at the other activities which are taking place in the school building in the afternoon. Several of the village women are learning to sew and examples of their work was on display. The surrounding land has also been partly "local fenced" and several types of crops are being grown including water melons and maize. Lunch was then served before we left for the day.    All of this was captured by the local TV station and a short report was later shown on the TV on Saturday evening.
Friday 20th November Up early and all ready for the return journey. We are again travelling in convoy so we cross the river together. Boxer, Chris Bs, taxi driver found he had a broken fan belt so we all sat in the cars waiting for over an hour whilst it was fixed. Eventually we set off and made good progress back to the ferry. We had a smooth trip and managed to get home around 4pm.
Saturday 21st November. Maurice, Sandra, Gordon, Sharon, Steve and Hilary were invited to Mr. Bah's house for lunch, where we were treated to Ocra soup and rice. Much discussion of the school program ensued.
Monday 23rd November Gordon and Sharon, Chris B, Rod, Lyn and Lynsey return home today. We went to the airport and dropped some of them off before calling for Maurice and Sandra and going to the storeroom to sort out goods for Nemasu and Jataba nursery schools and Nyofelleh school. We called at the police station to extend our visitors visas and then went back to the villa where Maurice was staying for tea.
Tuesday 24th November Pauline and Carol arrived by taxi at our house in the morning and we went to collect Maurice and Sandra. All in the pickup and we went down the coastal road to Nyofelleh Lower Basic school where we had promised some educational supplies. We spent the morning touring the school and we gave a donation towards fixing the water pump which is essential for their award winning school garden which has many fruit trees and plants. After taking everyone home Steve and I went to Banjul to visit our lawyer and arrange a title deed for our land.
weds 25th November Steve, Maurice and Sandra went to Nemasu to pay the wages as tomorrow is Tobaski and all are chasing money for the feast. They then went to a small nursery school called Jataba to see what help they need. It was established that the walls need rendering and a small window putting in one of the rooms which is very dark. They have 2 small classrooms and cater for 80 children. The floor then needs tiling, and the walls painting.
Thursday 26th November Today is the day before Tobaski and all the schools are now closed.  Maurice, Sandra, Hilary and Steve met Clare for lunch at the Bakehouse before Clare leaves us on Saturday. Just a short visit for Clare this time after her 3 months with us at the beginning of the year.
Friday 27th November   TOBASKI Steve and I spent a quiet day at home. There is very little traffic on the roads today and most establishments are closed. Late afternoon we had a visit from our lawyer who brought us the traditional Tobaski meal of cooked ram with potatoes and salad.
Saturday 28th November All closed again for the Tobaski celebrations
Sunday 29th November Pauline and Carols last day. Pauline and Hilary went to the storeroom to sort out some goods for Jataba nursery school. We then went to Maurice's to sort out uniforms and material for the school. We had a strange day with no sun all day today just cloud, unusual for this time of year. Not a problem as it is still warm, but our house runs on solar power and we have a reduced amount today.
In the evening Maurice, Sandra, Hilary and Steve went to our neighbours who had invited us for a BBQ. These people are here for a few weeks during the season, the rest of the time they are on their smallholding in the New Forest. They are doing a fantastic job fund raising for us by selling their eggs from the rescued battery hens.
 

Hilary Lawther reports from The Gambia ~ December 2009

Tuesday1stDecember. Steve took Kebba and Sanaba to Jataba nursery to start the job. All tools were collected together and cement collected on the way there. Work commenced
Wednesday 2nd December. I took Kebba to work, calling at Nemasu on the way to deliver the money for the lunches as the last rice was used today. We then went to Jataba and viewed the progress on the rendering and the new window has been fitted. I called at Serrekunda market to buy uniform material and then called at Lamin's to use the Internet. Unfortunately this is is third time this week I have been to the Internet and been unable to use it as there has been damage to a cable somewhere and each page is taking 10 minutes to load. The local tailor was employed to make the new uniforms. In the evening Maurice, Sandra, Hilary and Steve went to our neighbours who had invited us for a BBQ. These people are here for a few weeks during the season, the rest of the time they are on their smallholding in the New Forest. They are doing a fantastic job fund raising for us by selling their eggs from the rescued battery hens.
Friday 4th Dec. At last the Internet is back up and working, spent the morning in the Internet cafe and shopping.
Sunday 6th Dec A visit to Jataba nursery to view the almost finished work, just the floor to do. In the evening Maurice, Sandra, Judith, Steve and Hilary went to Sherrilans for a last meal out before Maurice leaves tomorrow.
Tuesday 8th Dec. At last the Internet for the BLOG all working fine.  12.12.09
Steve and I went to the storeroom in the morning to sort some of the boxes. We had the solar engineers at the house in the afternoon, refixing the solar panels. Apparently they had been damaged by lightning in the rainy season. We collected some books for Banjulingding Upper Basic school from the store. On the way back we called at the tailors to check progress on the uniforms.
13.12.09
Steve took Kebba and Sanaba to Nemasu nursery to fix the broken glass in the windows. In the evening we went to meet a group of students and teachers from the University of Plymouth at their hotel.
15.12.09
We went to Banjulingding school today to deliver the books. We then called at the storeroom to collect some computers for the Girl Guide association here in the Gambia. They run a school to help girls who have missed part of their education for any reason. We collected the uniforms from the tailor on the way home. Another volunteer, Tony was helping at Naata today
16.12.09
Hilary took Kebba into Banjul and we collected the priority letter from the ferry authority which will enable us to cross from Banjul to Barra and back without joining the queue. Tony was helping at Naata again today.
17.12.09
Steve and I met some of the party from the University of Plymouth at the roundabout near us and ook them to Nemasu for the morning. The 7 students took small groups of pupils and worked with them on matching games, number and some rhymes. The lecturers observed.
18.12.09
Steve took Kebba and Sanabba to Jataba nursery to lay the tiles in the classrooms.
19.12.09
Clean up day. The monthly clean up was cancelled last month because of Tobaski and next week is Christmas day so we had it a week early. Steve got up early and took Kebba to Jataba for the tiling before the roads closed at 9am. Half on a classroom completed so far.
20.12.09
Back to Jataba for the tiling.
21.12.09
Steve, Kebba and I set off to collect Tony this morning. Tony and I stayed in the storeroom to sort some deliveries whilst Steve took Kebba back to Jataba to finish the tiling. Tony and I spent the day sorting deliveries and trying to rearrange the storeroom into some sort of order.
22.12.09
Steve and Tony went to deliver some of the items we sorted out yesterday. Jaarisu nursery had asked for help and we were able to deliver some furniture and early reading books and games. They then went to the clinic at Batakonko with paint for his new classroom. Kassama is now doing student nurse training and has 36 students. In the evening we went to African village hotel to meet Vicky another of our supporters here on holiday.
23.12.09
Steve and Tony went into Banjul to meet teachers from Essau school at the ferry terminal. Essau are smartening up the school for an official visit in January and had asked for paint to do the library building. Steve and Tony delivered the paint and some reading books to the deputy head teacher. They now have mains electric to the school so have asked for computer which we will take in January.
24.12.09
Xmas Eve. Day off for shopping.
25.12.09
Xmas Day. Lots of messages from UK from friends and relatives by text. Steve unfortunately had bad stomach today, so I spent the day by the pool and ate omelette and chips while he watched! Good job we hadnt booked anything!!
26.12.09
Guests arriving today to spend the new year with us. Spent the morning getting ready. The flight is late evening so Steve and Kebba went to collect them. Flight 2 hours late so midnight when arrived, very tired.
27.12.09
Holiday! guests have been before so just want to chill this week.
31.12.09
New Years Eve. After chilling all day we went to the Bakehouse to celebrate the new year. This is a bar/restaurant/bakery run by a couple from London. They had put on a splendid buffet and about 30 people all stayed and greeted 2010 by watching the fireworks from the roof.

Hilary Lawther reports from The Gambia ~ January 2010

1.1.10
spent the day on the beach at Sanyang
2.1.10
2 of our guests returning home today.
3.1.10
Steve, Hilary and our guest Sue went to the storeroom to sort things. Sue is a teacher and is very good at identifying the correct age for most of our books. We sorted out deliveries for next week.
4.1.10
Steve and Tony went to Kanilai Upper Basic School with a delivery. Tony under instructions not to bring Steve home before 4pm as we have more guests arriving as a surprise for Steve as it is his birthday this week. Sue and Hilary after pretending to go shopping spent the morning getting ready and the afternoon in the airport. All went to plan as the plane was on time and Helen and David were sat in the garden with neighbours when Steve got back. It took him a while to realise who they were and was very surprised.!!
5.1.10
Took Helen and David to see Nemasu nursery this morning. It is their first visit to Gambia and were interested to see our charity projects. We then went to Bakau to see Charlie the crocodile. As we were near the fishing port we bought prawns for tea. (Steves favourite) Unfortunately Steve never got to eat them as when we got home he started to feel ill. Halfway through preparations for our evening meal Steve asked to be taken to the clinic. (Thats when I knew he must be bad!) Before we got there he was doubled in pain in the car, sweating and pain in his arms - I thought he ws having a heart attack. On reaching the clinic he was rushed in and the doctor quickly diagnosed a kidney stone which was trying to be passed. We spent 3 hours in the clinic with Steve on morphine and a dextrose drip. Eventually at 11.30pm I was allowed to take him home. On reaching home 3 very anxious guests watched as Kebba lifted him from the car and took him upstairs to bed as he couldnt walk. My instructions were plenty, plenty water, so I woke him up every hour in the night and made him drink a litre. Fortunately the stone must have passed in the morning and the following day he felt better than he had for weeks!! All drama!
6.1.10
Took our guests to look at the vulture feeding and then to the icecream parlour.
7.1.10
Steves 60th birthday. The day dawned with a healthy happy Steve getting cards and presents which had come from England with the guests. Some of our friends had clubbed together and bought him a really good pair of binoculars for bird watching. We had balloons and banners in the garden and then a small gathering of friends and neighbours which started at 2pm and ended at midnight with a few of us playing games.
8.1.10
Steve, Hilary and guests went to visit Nyofelleh in the morning and deliver some items. A tour of the school took place and then we visited the small nursery at the back of the school before leaving and calling at the fish market at Tanji on the way home.
9.1.10
Took our guests to Arch 22 in Banjul.
10.1.10
Our guests last day today, we arranged a bird walk at Kotu for the early evening. Good chance for Steve to use his new binoculars.
11.1.10
Took our guests, Helen and David, to the airport and met Gladys who has arrived to help for the next few weeks. We took her to Mansea beach and got her settled in her room and introduced her to staff who will look after her.
12.1.10
Went to Nemasu nursery in the morning. On the way we met Mr Jallow from Naata who would like to see the new build. Stayed for the morning. In the evening Steve, Hilary and Sue went for a barbecue at our neghbours behind.
13.1.10
Hilary, Sue and Gladys went to the storeroom to sort things for delivery tomorrow.
14.1.10
Early start. We travelled to the ferry port, collecting Gladys on the way. Our first stop was at Essau Lower Basic School with the computers we had promised as they now have electricity. The library has been painted and looks very smart. The next stop was at Ndungu Charren to see Mr Ceesay the head, We delivered his promised lap-top computer to help with the school administration. We then called at Ndungu Kebbeh, where we converted a classroom into a library last year. The library was in use by a class when we got there which was nice to see, we delivered some more books for them and then made our way back to the ferry and home.
15.1.10
We had been fortunate to get a delivery of 40 boxes from Oxford University Press and Sue and I spent the day sorting them into different categories and ages for schools.
16.1.10
In the morning, Sue and Gladys joined us to meet a head teacher who was visiting family in Serrekunda but who is the head at a school on the north bank. The school is Jurameh Koto and he has asked for assistance with materials. We took details and promised to visit in February. Christine Schofield and 4 other supporters arrived in the afternoon, so we all met for a meal in the evening.
17.1.10
Sues last day with us so we had a lazy day and her favourite meal at night.
18.1.10
Sue is leaving today so when she was all packed and ready to go we called at Naata nursery school on the way to the airport. Christine and her party were already there. Christine, Judith, Steve and Hilary then had a quick meeting with Mr Jallow and his older brother who owns the land the nursery is built on. Mr Jallow wants us to buy the land, but at a greatly inflated price. Saw Sue off at the airport and then Steve and Hilary called at the storeroom to load up for our trip on Wednesday this week.
19.1.10
The pick up truck was in for service today to ensure it is fit for purpose tomorrow.
20.1.10
Early start. Maurice has a bad back and has decided not to travel with us today so we collected Gladys and met the others in Boxers' taxi and made our way to the ferry. We managed to get across the river in good time and stopped at Ndungu Kebbeh before lunchtime. After inspecting the library and garden we made our way to Farafenni to spend the night in Eddyshotel. Our first visit to Eddys this year and nothing has changed! Alan, one of our party had brought his guitar and so entertained us all after our dinner.
21.1.10
After breakfast we travelled to Kumbija to see the new nursery school which was officially opened in November. Our party visited each class in turn and Alan and the others entertained the children by singing and teaching simple counting songs and rhymes. The sewing classroom was inspected and the garden. We are hoping to build a kitchen here soon and apply for the World food programme to provide lunches for the children. The school roll is growing slowly as this is a rural area and we need to convince the parents of the benefits of education when they haven't had any themselves. We left the school in the afternoon and travelled back to Barra for the ferry. Hilary, Steve and Gladys did a quick stop at Minte Kunda school to talk to the head about preparations for a student visit in April.
22.1.10
Day off. Lunch at Yashminas with Christine and Judith. Check up at the clinic for Steve.