End Of Term Party

This week at school we have had some fun activities for the children at Diana Mariam on Monday they had a game of football for girls and boys. Then on Tuesday we held an end of term party. The children arrived dressed in their traditional or party clothes. Mr Conateh brought in a hifi system and some cd’s and started playing some very catchy Gambian music. The children here love their music and took no time getting up to dance on the platform area. A model contest was then held for the girls and boys so they were strutting their stuff to the music as if on a catwalk. At break the children produced different Gambian dishes of which I managed to try some. The school closed early at 1 o ‘clock with parents arriving to pick them up.

My favourite year 1 pupils the brightest at the back Fatou in blue and white western dress, in front Nina, Sarah, Fatomatta and tiny Isatou who often comes over for a cuddle from me, plus year 3 girls.

At the back in year 1 Sheriff dressed in gold, in front Momadou in light blue, Abdoulie in western clothes and Omadi in brown, plus year 2 and 3 boys.

On Wednesday it was parents open day for Zenith and Diana Mariam, Paul went to speak to Abigail and Bradley’s teachers whilst I went off to Diana Mariam to help out there. At midday Paul then dropped off Abigail and Bradley with me so he could go to work. They amused themselves drawing or playing on the swings and trampoline. By 2 o’clock most parents had been to pick up their child’s report so we ate a communal bowl of benechin before we left for home and the Easter break.

A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JULIE!

I have completed my second week at school and they have been busy preparing for the Christmas presentation which is to be held on Saturday so each morning they have had an assembly mainly with the songs which they are going to sing on the day. I myself was asked for a contribution so I sang the See Saw creep through the door song which Abigail and Bradley have sung whilst at Westgarth very embarrassing however I had already taught it to the reception children with Aunty Alberta so they all joined in. It has proved to me this week how passionate the Gambians are for their music and dance as Aunty Alberta was really getting into the swing of things as she got the children to sing along to the Christmas songs. I would say that Tuesday was by far the best day so far as I managed to do some phonics and practise writing the letters with grade 1 children whilst Mr Jadama filled in the exam reports ready for the parents open day on Friday. I also saw the baton being held by a school girl who was running down Kariba Avenue towards the traffic lights as I was leaving school to go and pick up Bradley.

Zenith Christmas Presentation

On Wednesday it was Zeniths parent open day, Christmas presentation and party, we had been told to arrive at around 8.30am first dropping Bradley off at his class we went to see Abigail’s work and chat to the teacher. The teacher was pleased with her progress she just needs to talk a bit more as very quiet which is the norm for Abigail. We then went to see Bradley’s report which again was very good. Paul then left to go to college whilst I went back home to get their party clothes to wear after the presentations which were supposed to start at around 10.00am. After a lot of waiting the presentations finally started at around 11.30am surprise, surprise nothing is on time here, first up was the school choir then a group of children playing the recorder then Bradley’s class did some reciting of the alphabet and a couple of songs. Abigail’s class was next with a song and play Three Foreigners came from Timbuktu. After this there were poems and another play eventually the performance finished at around 2.00pm.

Abigail and Bradley quickly got changed and by now the music was blasting out with some children dancing along to it. We were then told that the children’s party food would be served and they had to go back to their class for a head count. Thirty minutes passed and eventually Abigail’s class were ushered upstairs to get their food. The younger children then had to do the same with me holding Bradley’s hand I was asked to wait by his teacher who took him and some others upstairs. Whilst I waited myself and another teacher stopped anymore from going upstairs as there was not enough room. During this time young children aged three and four were trying to come down the steps with a can and foil container of food in hand. The steps are very deep so it was an accident waiting to happen in the end I was picking them up and carrying them down with a couple of other teachers talk about bad planning.

Ecole Diana Mariam School

After picking up the children today from school I quickly showered and changed as I have a meeting with the Head Teacher of the Diana Mariam primary school, Awa was happy to watch the children for an hour. I had heard that they were looking for assistance with the English language so last Tuesday I called in to take a look around the school. I was shown around by the Deputy Head who seemed very nice and I was very impressed as they seem to have a lot of resources. In the yard area was a large trampoline and primary coloured picnic tables with parasols. The reception classrooms were displayed with posters on the walls and a number of toys and learning aids, the children were busy sat watching a French DVD on the television when I was looking around. The primary area was a little less colourful and the classes were much smaller in size, I was surprised to be shown into an ICT suite with five computers. As we went from classroom to classroom I was introduced to the teachers who all seemed pleasant. They currently only have children up to grade three as they are adding another grade on each year. They are a bilingual school teaching French so the children when in class automatically switch to speaking that language.

The Head Teacher Mary Samba is a lawyer so the school is run by the deputy in her absence. When I arrived I had to sit and wait in reception as Mary had phoned to say she would be late. After a ten minute wait I was introduced to Mary and we chatted about what she was looking for. She wasn’t concerned with the fact that I was not a qualified teacher she just wanted the children to have interaction with the English language through reading, writing, phonics etc. I did explain to her the issue of the children and their hours of schooling at Zenith, she was quite happy for me just to work mornings assisting the teachers. I have agreed to start this Monday so I am quite looking forward to the experience of working with the teachers and especially looking forward to helping the children.

Ecole Diana Mariam School

Sports Day

Last night is the first time we have had to use our bed sheet for most of the night, it is definitely much cooler we will have to look out for some blanket’s. Today is Abigail and Bradley’s sports day which is being held at the stadium. Paul set off walking to the stadium with Abigail and Bradley as we were told to arrive between 8.00 and 8.30am I managed to get a few bit’s done around the house before setting off to the stadium myself arriving at 9.00am, Paul and the children were just sat about outside with all the other children and teacher’s. Finally the children were placed into their house groups and marched inside behind their house flag Quality, Stayfast or Excellence. With the children seated within their house groups Paul and I found a seat with some of the other parents.

We waited and waited for something to happen eventually the first running event started at around 10.00am. Then there were some unusual events mother and baby race, which entailed some young girls wrapping a doll in a sling onto their backs and running to the finish line, very funny. Boys and Girl’s getting dressed event, children had to put on their Zenith Uniform including shoes with the help of parents and run to the finish line. Relay race, sack race and bucket and bean bag race where three bean bags were put onto the track at various intervals by one group of children and then had to be collected and put back into the bucket first to finish won. We then noticed Bradley going down the stairs to compete in an event so I quickly followed him. He was put into one of the lanes on the track with another five boys and the event began. It was so funny he had to balance a blackboard on his head and walk to the finish line. He was balancing the board really well at the start but I think I was distracting him trying to get a photo so he ended up finishing last. He then did a race where he had to find his own shoes which had been placed on the track, put them on and run to the finish line.

Balancing a Blackboard

Finding your Shoe's

By now the children were running riot as how do you keep children sat watching other children competing in events for four hours. They were busy eating crisps, sweets, baguettes, drinking icey’s, pop and running up and down the stadium steps. The few teachers which were sat in the house groups were oblivious to it all there seemed more teachers down on the track interfering than watching the children. Paul and I were getting more and more annoyed, there was just no organisation like back home, we finally took Abigail and Bradley out of their house groups and gave them some lunch and applied some sun cream and let them sit with us. After midday Paul asked Mr James one of the teachers which event Abigail was entered in we were surprised to find out her name was not on the list so Mr James placed her into the spoon and lime event. At 1.00pm Paul had to leave to go to work, shortly after he had left I was annoyed to be told that due to the events running over the spoon and lime event had been cancelled, so Abigail never got to enter any events much to her pleasure.

We decided to leave early as both children were bored and tired of just sitting around and as for myself my head was banging from all the ruckus of the morning. We left by the front entrance as a trade fair was being held within the stadium grounds. We had a quick look around the various stalls which were either advertising or selling things such as cars, food, jewellery, material, wood carvings, lighting, banking or travel. After a quick chat to Max who was also having a look around the stalls we set off back home. On arriving home Awa was busy cleaning, the children changed and I took them out to La Parisienne for an ice-cream as I also needed to call at the bank and get some shopping.

A BIG HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY TO NATHANIEL!

A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO NAOMI!

The Walk to School

After picking Abigail up from school we walked to the market to get some fruit and veg. On the way Abigail pointed to the electricity cables as something was hanging from it as we got nearer we realised it was a dead fruit bat. We arrived home and the children played with Louise for a while then Abigail completed some of her maths homework.

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This morning the plan is to get some shopping from Kariba Centre as we are out of quite a few things, first I had to call at the bank to get some money. We have been trying to stick to a budget of 1500d a week however this has already been increased from 1000d a week. We have found that living in The Gambia is not cheap so we are substituting some of our savings from England as Paul’s volunteer allowance does not stretch far enough. This has meant that items such as ice-cream, chocolate and crisps will be a rare luxury for Abigail and Bradley.

I flagged down a five, five taxi and jumped in with a couple of other people, myself ending up sitting in the middle. The elderly lady then started a conversation with me in Wolof fortunately I managed to answer her back with the usual greetings. She was very pleased and laughed welcoming me to The Gambia, this seems the norm here if you show you are trying to speak the language they are very friendly towards you. I was dropped off outside Right Choice and Kariba Centre, calling in both stores to get all the items which I needed. Just about spent up and waited down with bags I jumped in a Gelleh Gelleh for my return trip home calling for bread and fruit and veg on the way.

On arriving home Awa was busy mopping the floors with Louise straddling her back in a sling. Awa was telling me about her malaria and that she hasn’t had it for three years until last week and how ill she felt. I packed away the shopping and went to pick up Bradley first calling to get some mince from the butchers as I had promised Abigail and Bradley some beef burgers for dinner only to find they didn’t have any left. I quickly called at Safeway and they had no meat on display due to a fridge breakdown so I will have to try again tomorrow.

Bradley and Abigail were happy playing with Louise who is now pulling herself up around the furniture and has managed to climb up onto the settee. Awa is looking forward to the day when she starts to walk so she won’t have to carry her around on her back.

Timbooktu Book Store

Last night we received a call from Awa to say she was unable to come today as she was unwell with malaria so I set about washing and hanging out the clothes before setting of to La Parisienne. The internet was very slow I only managed to get one days worth of blog updated however I did post a lot of photos, will try again tomorrow.

On picking Abigail up from school we headed for Timbookto Book Store, we spent nearly two hours in there looking at the children’s books and getting some information on Gambian Wildlife. They both choose a book each, Abigail picked an African story book to add to her collection and Bradley picked Mr Busy. I also managed to get some ideas for presents for Abigail’s birthday so will have to call back again with Paul.

On arriving back at home I set about making a pizza only to receive a phone call from Tom and Lynne to say they were at the traffic lights with the view to call in. I thought I had explained where we lived however Tom called back for directions so I went outside the compound to find them, they were a little further up the street so I waved and finally attracted their attention. After showing them around I made a cup of tea, Tom played with the children reading stories and playing hide and seek whilst I finished making the pizza with Lynne chatting to me. They are leaving to go up country to Basse on Friday which is where they will be based, we have accepted an invitation to stay with them at some time in the future. Paul arrived an hour later so we chatted for a while before they left for home.

Timbooktu Book Store

National Holiday

When Paul dropped Abigail and Bradley off at school he was told that they will need picking up at 12.00pm as a national holiday has been declared due to the World Cup coming to The Gambia and the president would be showing it off at the stadium later on today. There was no point in Paul going to the college as he only had a lecture this afternoon which would now be cancelled.

Paul called in at the VSO Office this morning he spoke to Nuha re work for me in The Gambia. On returning he told me Nuha gave him a contact of an ex volunteer as she may have work available, Henrietta is Dutch and works for Ballast Nedam she has lived here for ten years and is married with two young children to a Gambian. We went to her office which is just at the traffic lights and had a good chat to her unfortunately she has nothing at the moment but has asked for my CV and will keep in touch if any thing comes available.

We decided to look for some bamboo to try to hang the Batik’s so walked down Kariba Avenue in and out of the shops. Whilst we were looking we noticed a cooker for sale in one of the shops it had some paint missing off one of the corners, we were told it was second hand but it looked as if it hadn’t even been used so we agreed a good price. Unfortunately we couldn’t find anywhere which sold bamboo so we headed home Paul picking up Abi and Bradley whilst I called at the bakers for bread. Paul picked up the cooker in the car and connected it to the gas supply making sure everything was working okay which it was, however not as strong a flame as the stove top, hopefully we may save some gas.

After lunch Paul headed out to the stadium with camcorder in hand, we thought it best not to take the children in case of crowds so we headed to the beach instead to pick up my tie dyed skirt from Fatou leaving Awa finishing of the ironing. On arriving at the craft market Fatou wasn’t there however Adam was so he found my skirt which looks very good a deep navy purple with pink. He then picked up Bradley’s bucket and spade and accompanied us to the beach building sand castles for them. Shortly after Felix and Georgia arrived, oh Felix is now Uncle Felix as the kids have really taken to him. They had a couple of surf boards so they took Abi and Bradley in the sea in their pants as I hadn’t packed their costumes. They really enjoyed it I think we will have to look for some body board for them.

We set off for home on arriving I realised I had forgot to take my key and unfortunately Awa had already left for home. Luckily John was at home so I managed to phone Paul only to hear car horns and noise in the background Paul was explaining that the president was arriving and he couldn’t hear me. I quickly sent him a text, John made me a cup of tea then it started to rain so I was glad to be inside. Paul eventually turned up telling us he couldn’t get out until the president had done his lap of honour throwing biscuits out to the crowd as he went. Unfortunately he had missed seeing the cup but enjoyed watching the crowd, soldiers and police dancing and singing along to the music however later on he was complaining that he had burnt his bum sitting on the hot concrete.

Annoying Cricket

For the last two nights we have heard a chirping coming from somewhere in the kitchen, Paul finally found the culprit a small cricket hid near the stove. Unable to catch it we are hoping it will make its own way outside. We also had a frog in the house at the weekend Paul saw it in the kitchen then the following night when I went to the toilet here it was sat looking at me we managed to catch it in a shovel placing it back outside.

Before going to La Parisiene I called at the butchers and ordered some beef to pick up later. Arriving at La Parisiene they have had a change of furniture very retro orange, red blue and green seating however the internet was very slow again very frustrating. The rain has started yet again; the last two days have been unbearably hot so hopefully it will cool down a bit. On leaving La Parisiene the rain was just a drizzle which I was pleased about as I had forgotten to bring my umbrella, I picked up Bradley and by the time we had picked up the meat and got home we were very wet. Awa had been unable to peg out the washing due to the rain; Bradley was happy playing with Louise whilst I picked up Abigail. Awa then showed me her recipe for Beef Domada which was not as greasy as others we have tried.

On arriving home Paul commented on where his other flip flop was as he had one blue and one damaged yellow flip flop outside on the steps, I had noticed but thought they were Awa’s. Paul went for a run before dinner and whilst he was in the bath Abu, the neighbour and a young lad came to our door Abu was arguing with the young lad and pointing at the step. I went outside and realised this young lad was wearing Paul’s other flip flop he took it off replacing his own damaged one as if he had just borrowed it for the day.

We were sat in candle light this evening as our electric meter had ran out of credit and not knowing where the meter was located at least we know for next time.

Red-Cheeked Cordon-Bleu

A Big Happy Birthday to Michelle!!

I spent this morning posting my blog whilst Paul headed out to Timbookto book store to look for resources. For the local Muslims Ramadan is just about finishing so it came as no surprise that on picking up Bradley and Abigail we were informed that the school will be closing tomorrow due to them getting ready for Eid and they will return to school next Wednesday after the holidays. After having two good days at school we will have to start all over again settling them in again next week. Abigail had been given quite a bit of Maths and English homework to complete during the holidays. Whilst Awo was busy cleaning we took the children out of her way for an hour, just outside the compound Abigail saw a lovely little bird a Red-Cheeked Cordon-Bleu she is getting a proper bird spotter. We managed to find a good gift shop selling cards and toys so will have to make a visit next month for Abigail’s birthday.

Red-Cheeked Cordon-Bleu

First day at School

Up at 6.30am to get the children ready for their first day at school, Bradley was exited to be wearing his new uniform looked very smart although the shirt is a little bit too big; unfortunately Abigail’s uniform has still not arrived. Their official day starts at 8.30am and finishes at 2.45pm Monday to Thursday (Bradley finishes at 1.35pm) with an early finish of 12.00pm on a Friday for both as this is the locals day for pray. Dropped them off at 8.10am and saw them to their classrooms gave them quick hugs and kisses and left them for the day. I went straight to La Parisiene to update my blog site, found the internet very quick probably due to the time of day so managed to post a good bit of my blog. Actioned a few emails then set off to pick up Bradley, he was quite upset as a little boy had punched him in the face, gave him a big cuddle whilst trying to hold back the tears myself so as not to upset him further. He settled down saying he had missed me we had a slow walk back home a quick change of clothes and a snack. Bradley had a little play before we set off to pick up Abi, she seems to have had a much better day. Awo was busy cleaning and Louise had a bit of a cold so not her usual happy self, the children played drawing pictures, Bradley’s mishap forgotten.

Bradley's Uniform

Bradley's Classroom

Abigail's Classroom