There were so many highlights for this particular study visit to The Gambia organised by B and C Educational through their Global Dimension Partnership branch. We were delighted to meet 5 teachers from schools in Senegal who joined our group for 4 days. They took a full part in our activities and really enjoyed meeting our Gambian colleagues and going to their schools. It is to be hoped that functioning three way partnerships will develop from this meeting of minds. Already one of the Gambian teachers is planning her first trip to Senegal.
Our UN style conference for the International Day of Happiness (20 March) was held at Bakau Newtown Lower Basic with children from Wellingara and Tallinding also attending. After a series of educational activities supported by Gambian, Senegalese and UK teachers, the hotly debated topic was “Money can buy happiness”, position papers were presented by the 11 year old participants, delegates discussed the issues and a vote was held. The Bakau UN assembly (i.e. the conference) decided that money does not buy happiness!
Our UN style conference for the International Day of Happiness (20 March) was held at Bakau Newtown Lower Basic with children from Wellingara and Tallinding also attending. After a series of educational activities supported by Gambian, Senegalese and UK teachers, the hotly debated topic was “Money can buy happiness”, position papers were presented by the 11 year old participants, delegates discussed the issues and a vote was held. The Bakau UN assembly (i.e. the conference) decided that money does not buy happiness!
Cultural visits were made to Isatou’s compound where participants shared in eating excellent Gambian food fish benechin and fish domada) using their fingers, did sand painting and made batiks. The photo shows Fatou and her mother Isatou in their compound.
At MyFarm the UK teachers were enthralled by the work in sustainability, micro- agriculture and education by the charismatic Kelly Smeets. Her cookies cooked in the solar oven were a great hit.
The UK teachers were moved by the efforts of the quarry workers at Bafolotu Quarry and the hard work of the women at the Makumbuya Women’s Co-operative. The mangrove cruise, African dancing and local food at Makusutu Cultural Forest were a delight. The wrestling at Paradise Beach was more of a puzzle but an exciting finish to a particularly busy week packed with new experiences.
A further phonics session was shared with the Islamic teachers at Amana developing on the course started in November 2014. The Gambian teachers were pleased to recieve their certificates. We worked with the undergraduate teacher trainees at the Gambia College, Brikama sharing ideas of how to spread the word about malaria prevention through educational activities in the classroom.
On Saturday morning some 45 children were taken on their first field trip where they visited Bijilo Forest Reserve (the Monkey Park) and the neighbouring Atlantic beach. In groups supprted by U K teachers the children investigated the flora and fauna of the two contrasting environments. Using an egg box to make a collection of shells proved a particular interest for the children.
Our next study visit will be in November 2015, please contact us if you are interested.