18 April 2011
Day 8: 18 April – Happy birthday Wandifa!!
Today we left the hotel at 9.30 bound for Gunjur, along with Wandifa, Yankuba, Abdoulie, Sainey and Chris. Schools in The Gambia have officially closed for the Easter holidays, but SHM Nursery School in Gunjur had promised to have some of their children in school as they were so keen to see us! On arrival we discovered that the 60 or so children we were expecting had increased to the entire 207 children in the school!! Rather more than we were anticipating for an art activity, however we contrived! We started with some songs and action rhymes lead by Tina and Pippa, including 'Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes', and 'The Hokey Cokey', whilst Yankuba, Abdoulie and I mixed brightly coloured paint and set up the art lesson. We then brought the children in, 20 at at time to have a go at various printing techniques using paint, bushed, sponges and fingers! Fantastic fun had by all 207 children! And several adults! We then finished the day with a story brilliantly translated to the children by Yankuba, and acted out by the rest of the team. The children very much appreciated the quacking ducks and croaking frogs!
After some goodbye songs we headed to Sainey's family compound, where we had a lovely chat with his mother, and took photographs of his sisters to send to Alhassan out in USA, who is missing his family. The Darboe family all seem very well and it was lovely to see them again. Back at the hotel we had arranged a surprise birthday treat for Wandifa, including a birthday card, cake and presents. Lots of the hotel guests and staff gathered to sing him happy birthday and present him with his first ever birthday cake! Many thanks to Charlotte who made a fantastic card for him whilst we were out at Gunjur. Wandifa was delighted with all the gifts and especially pleased to have another cake to take home to his family. Very mush deserved! We managed a quick swim before dinner by the pool with a relaxed evening to follow. Tomorrow looks set to be another busy day! Let goat buying commence!!
Lots of love to all x x x
PS. Thanks to Chris for some brilliant camera work today! We shall miss Chris, Charlotte, Paula and Alan when they leave tomorrow. Thanks for all your support and the laughs! X
