Text books a huge success

After three weeks we are back in the UK and are very glad to report that the trip was very successful. 

We were delighted to see that the level 1 and level 2 books we bought in November are being used by both junior classes. Under the careful supervision of Mr Jarro and Mr Mendy the kids are working through the English, Maths and Integrated Studies books.

There are plenty of challenges to meet - not least the wide range of ages and abilities in each class - but there is a very tangible 'can-do' approach that is hugely impressive. The combination of outside support and the combined efforts of paid staff, volunteer staff and the village community is paying dividends to the kids, many of which were not at school at all just a couple of years ago.

We spent four days at the school and used the time to work with Mucki and head teacher, Mrs Bojang to work out how best to spend the remainder of the money you have donated. We discussed many things but in the end decided the most effective use of the money was to buy the remaining grades of books (levels 3, 4, 5 and 6) that the school will need as the kids grow older. We are in the process of pricing these up now and we will let you know when they are bought.

Both staff and children alike are very grateful for your kind support. If you are ever in West Africa and would like to see for yourself how your money has been used you would be received with very open arms indeed.

(Click here for more pictures of the school.)

Many thanks for the school materials from Mansa Colley Bojang School

Last week we had the great pleasure of delivering a huge bag of stationary supplies, tooth brushes and medication to The Mansa Colley Bojang School. These gifts came from the kind folk or East Hagbourne as well as from kind folk further afield.

Beth ready for customs at Banjul airport

Being not quite as green as last time we batted back customs in Banjul Airport as they tried to tax us a few pencils and escaped into the African sun with our load intact. A few days later Head Teacher Mrs Bojang gratefully received the supplies, and we were touched with a rendition from the kids of 'thank you Aunty and Uncle'. (click on photos to enlarge)

60 tennis balls

Mrs Bojang with plenty of plasters and paracetamol

Pencils galore

Some of the kind gifts supplied by Blott

Toothbrushes for everyone

Mr Mendy showing off one of the skipping ropes gratefully received

Mrs Bojang with the card East Hagbourne donors signed

Some of the materials will be put into use immediately (much to our delight as the sight of a seven year old sharpening a stubby pencil with a razor blade is not a pretty one !). Some others will keep the stock room full for some time - meaning donations collected from other visitors, instead of buying stationary, can be used for other much needed things like giving the poorest kids some lunch.

Both staff and kids alike are very grateful for all of the stuff they received. They asked us to pass on their heart felt thanks. THANK YOU.

(Click here for more pictures of the school.)

The first books have arrived

As you can see from this great picture of Mucki with a junior class from the school the first set of Junior text books have arrived. The kids, we are told, are delighted with them as are the teaching staff. Thanks everybody for making this happen.

THANK YOU EVERYBODY !

Thanks to everybody in East Hagbourne and beyond who contributed stationary, toothbrushes, tennis balls, paracetamol, crayons, rubbers, pencil sharpeners, soap, skipping ropes, plasters and torches for us to take to the school. We had had a fantastic response - and as long as Andy does not put his back out carrying it all, the school will be delighted.

The appeal for stuff culminated in this morning's coffee morning which was a great success. Andy laboured over a hot stove making bacon butties while Beth baked for England (or should that be The Gambia). The village girls contributed some lovely extra cakes too and good fun and good company was enjoyed by all.

Here's some snaps of the event (click on any of them to open in a new window) ...

Many of the lovely things that folk have donated before the event.

Beth looking a little nervous ! 

Cakes !

Andy with co-ordinating piny and pumps .

The card that folks signed.

Coffee any one ?

The kitchen filled up quickly

Tony and Rob

Amanda and Sarah

Beth making an announcement (loudly !)

Georgie Pennington signing the card

Charlie, Stuart, Abu, Rob, Charlie and Julia

Serious coffee drinking

Tony, Rob, Amanda and Sarah

Marcus, Alexander and Jasper

Catherine and Georgie

India tucking into cup cake

Jessica did not take too much persuasion to have another cake

Paddy and Joan (Joan very kindly did heaps of washing up !)

Carole from Sponsor a Gambian Child and her colleague Liz

'Didn't they do well' 

Beth looking a little frantic 

Muriel and Carole

Liz and Paddy deep in conversation

The end result ! FANTASTIC.  My nice display went out of the window, but who cares.
Now comes the hard part of sorting it all out for our trip

Ruth Semple you are a star

This was so kind of you Ruth
HANDS OFF Andy Barmer they are for the kids not you!

Thanks to our lovely friends at Blott

Just look what our lovely friends at the wonderful stationary company Blott have given us to take to the school.

Thank you so much - we are really grateful guys.

Oooh it's getting bigger