Pageant News

 
Sarah has raised lots of money for Pageant's work in The Gambia, in particular for Barra Essau Upper Basic School.  Her fundraising included running the Chester Marathon dressed as a bottle of beer, gaining her a Guinness World Record. (Read about her exploits on this Pageant web page) Several of their friends have marked the wedding by making donations to Pageant for projects at Barra Essau, and we thank them all for their generosity.

Well we are back in the UK and it is very cold! 35 degrees difference from when we left.
It was very difficult to get on to the internet when we were in The Gambia so I have had to wait to let you have some more news on our trip.
We spent a week over there and actually had two rest days so they were really appreciated. The first full day we spent visiting compounds. It was lovely to see the "children" we sponsor (they are 20 and 21) and I was delighted to see the garden that Ebrima had made- lots of salad, cabbages, carrots and also two large banana trees. We visited Abdoulie's compound and met his mother. She is a very keen gardener and had a large plot very neatly kept with lots of vegetables growing well. Then we visited Wandifa's family and met Mariama and his two sons Mo Lamin and Ebe.

 The two microscopy workshops on Sunday and Monday went very well considering we had done very little to prepare for them. Andrew and Ian (Groves) did some chemistry with cornflour making a "bomb" which went down well and Helen did a chromatography session with different coloured pens. The idea that a red pen had three colours in the ink was a surprise for the student teachers. For the microscopy we looked at flowers, leaves, fabric and anything we could get hold of including a piece of termite mound and several insects. We also looked at human hair and compared it to the synthetic hair that some of the women were wearing. The student teachers (and science club) presented us all with gifts and also with a marvellous large picture of a carved stereo microscope. Hopefully Pippa can get it back as it was too large for our cases. Look out for it when you visit Pippa and Ian.

After the workshops we had a day at the hotel and then on the Wednesday we went with Pippa, Ian and Wandifa to the north bank. For those of you who haven't done this, the trip involves catching the first ferry at 7 in the morning. It left on time and the crossing in the dark was very cold. Once the sun was up it soon became too hot though. We had a session at Barra Essau upper basic school with microscopes as we were leaving them two and some lenses for the science classes. A very impressive school and high quality teaching was evident. We then drove on to Bakalarr and left Pippa and Ian to discuss the school projects while we went with Wandifa to visit a new child we had sponsored. The family were so lovely it was a real pleasure to meet them. Finally back to the ferry picking up Pippa and Ian on the way. Got back to the hotel at 6 and had a welcome beer. Even after three washes we were very orange from the red sand.
Finally another day off and then back on the flight home on Friday. On this final day we had a some time with Yankuba who was working at the hotel.

A lovely, if a bit hectic, week and we all really enjoyed meeting many Gambians as well as the lads from Christs Hospital who worked very hard with their sports and art sessions at the schools. Thanks to Wandifa, Abdoulie and Yankuba as well as Pippa and Ian and all those who helped out. Looking forward to going next year although sadly without Helen and Ian who will be at University all being well.

Apologies for all misspelling!

Kathy (Andrew Helen and Ian Groves)

below are some pictures to show you what it was like.

Helen blowing bubbles for the children at Wandifa's compound

Gambia college for teacher training where we carried out the science and microscopy workshops for the trainee teachers. Hopefully they will then go out to schools and pass on some practical teaching of science with the microscopes and equipment we have left them

After  the first workshop - group photo including Linda who came along and helped us out that day

At the end of each workshop the teachers had to teach some children what they had learned. The children came in specially for this

More children being shown the microscopes

Pippa in discussion over something of interest!

A typical view of the class

The beautiful picture presented by the President of the science club of Gambia College to Pippa for Pageant

At the airport with Abdoulie and Wandifa

Listening to Yankuba's radio interview for the BBC while having a drink at the hotel

Sunday 17 feb. Back from the first microscopy workshop. This went well but a long day. 20 trainee teachers and lots of microscopes and samples of local flowers, sand etc to look at. Also Andrew, Ian and Helen ran two chemistry experiments. These were the flour bomb and chromatography of felt pen ink. Both a huge success. The CH boys were helping out as well so lots of pageant shirts.Linda came and joined in and talked to them all about teaching. Tomorrow we run another and Yankuba is coming to help. Tired now so will sign out. More news tuesday
Kathy

Hello Everyone!

Its the CH guys here. Were are all so excited for tomorrow when we fly out to the Gambia. Fitting everything in the suitcase was quite a struggle, as you can see in the picture above, we have shopped for lots to take over. The above is not even half of it! We have been planning lessons for a while now and although we are nervous about everything running smoothly, we have had constant reassuring and are ready for anything!

Be sure to expect more posts soon when we have lots more to talk about and reflect on! We will try to post everyday, but we are told internet connection is temperamental.

Thanks,

Daniel, Arthur, Luke and Oscar

9 Feb

Andrew and I went over to see Pippa and Ian last night. We picked up microscopes and stuff to take with us next Friday. Can't believe we are going again but really beginning to look forward to it. The group sounds interesting, with the lads from CH coming but we will miss Joe and Katie and the others as well as Bob and Anne and Sally.
Looking forward to seeing Wandifa and Abdoulie (can't spell this one) as well as Yankuba and Fatou and Ebrima, Lamin and maybe Ousman.
It is really good that Helen can be with us this year and she and Ian (Groves) can help with this blog
Kathy
Note - spelling now OK - Pippa

• decorating school classrooms
• art lessons and a sports day for nursery schools
• science, maths, drama and music sessions with Primary schools
• practical science for trainee teachers
• football and rugby coaching
• meeting 'their' Gambian students
• ... and a couple of 'tourist attraction' visits.