Well, it was a successful trip to The Gambia, and long meetings had favourable outcomes. I think they all felt sorry for me! In effect, I could have been home in three days if I'd known that things were going to go so well, but flights are hard to change without massive financial penalties. The Gambian School is secure for another three years at least, and everyone is happy about that..... even the landlord!
Left with a few days on my own, I realised for the first time that The Gambia is not the most hospitable place to be in September. (November until April is beautiful and much cooler) The rainy season has not quite spluttered out yet, temperatures are muggy and OTT, and mosquito laden puddles are still in evidence, some blocking roads that I needed access to, (I don't know all the alternatives yet), and of course most tourist establishments still closed because the season doesn't start until the end of October. Mother Nature put a couple of incredible thunder storms together for my amusement and entertainment, but it wasn't quite up to the standard of the local drumming and singing which usually keeps me entertained.
So, home! An agreement in my hand which makes me feel a bit like Neville Chamberlain, and the headache of 10 days of email and correspondence to catch up with. I really should have spent more time in the internet cafe when I was over there!
I had expected the new hall to be totally completed, but alas there are still things to be done. This isn't going to stop us having our Centre of the World Party tomorrow night. John McFall, our MP, is all set to cut the ribbon with Hannah, (Dumbarton's revered community member), and then it's down to good food and entertainment, served in the best new hall in the world!
Snagging will begin on Monday!
Showing posts with label Gambian School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gambian School. Show all posts
Friday, 2 October 2009
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Gambian Tales
Nothing changes! I was met at Banjul airport by the tackiest taxi available! Not only did this one have no floor, but was short of a window or two! However, I'm consoled that the seatbelt works! This is a new law in The Gambia. You can drive the biggest wreck in the world as long as you have your seatbelt on, your triangle, and your fire extinguisher!
My regulat taxi driver, Babba, has lost his taxi, meantime. It is a complicated story, but most stories are here, and nothing cannot be solved with a little money. We'll see how things go. I have a jeep now, although the rear view mirror seems to be portable.... hold it up if you want to see what's behind you! As ever the tank is empty but it gobbles up the deisel.
This is Gambia, and dreadfully Third World. I am in a compound that is basic but good. The dog is a strange gray co;our. Gambian dogs are usually sand coloured, but this one is different, if a bit skelly-eyed! He looks after me. As I read my book at night on my 'balcony', I'm heartened to see the night watchman do his rounds. He has a magnificent machette! Woe betide anyone who wants to screw with Fr Kenny! I sleep well!
My regulat taxi driver, Babba, has lost his taxi, meantime. It is a complicated story, but most stories are here, and nothing cannot be solved with a little money. We'll see how things go. I have a jeep now, although the rear view mirror seems to be portable.... hold it up if you want to see what's behind you! As ever the tank is empty but it gobbles up the deisel.
This is Gambia, and dreadfully Third World. I am in a compound that is basic but good. The dog is a strange gray co;our. Gambian dogs are usually sand coloured, but this one is different, if a bit skelly-eyed! He looks after me. As I read my book at night on my 'balcony', I'm heartened to see the night watchman do his rounds. He has a magnificent machette! Woe betide anyone who wants to screw with Fr Kenny! I sleep well!
Monday, 21 September 2009
Gambia Matters
I'm off to London this afternoon, the first step on my way to The Gambia on Tuesday. My case is full of clothes for the kids, as ever, and a few odds and ends for other folk.
My love affair with The Gambia began eight years ago, when, because it was the only sunny holiday available, I found myself in West Africa in November to "soak up some rays". I had read of, and preached on, Third World poverty, but when it hits you on the face like a wet kipper, and you actually see and feel what it actually means, life can never quite be the same again.
One day I found myself outside a school in Serrekunda, the largest town in The Gambia, in a street which was constructed of hardwood, cardboard and corrugated iron, dust flying everywhere, with ten pupils and forty to fifty children trying to peer in to see what was being taught. London Corner, in Serrekunda, is the poorest area in one of the poorest towns in the world. The children outside couldn't pay for their education, and were therefore excluded. I started by paying the fees of two or three of them to attend. The rest is history.
It was like Topsy, it growed and growed, and within a year I had a fairly large number of people who wanted to buy into the concept of free education and a feeding programme for London Corner.
Today we have a beautiful school, attended by 90 of the poorest children in London Corner, and we provide free education, a free feeding programme and free health care for our children when they are sick. We employ eight or nine people from teachers to cooks to watchmen, and feed eight extended families as a result. I'm proud of the way that the people of Dumbarton and beyond have responded and have made this happen. We send out close to £1,200 every month to continue this work and the cash is closely monitored.
However, we have a problem. The landlord wants his building back and our agreement with him is due to end in January. He seems intransigent and I need face to face meetings with him to see if there is any compromise. We have spent thousands of pounds on his property and can't afford to begin again.
Is this the end of Dumbarton/London Corner Nursery School? Possibly. I need my blogging pals to pray hard that this week we can find a solution, and continue to provide free education to this area. I will do my best, but we don't have a lot to bargain with.
Today, Internet Cafes are more common than eight years ago! So maybe I can update you as the days go on!
Thank you for your prayers!
My love affair with The Gambia began eight years ago, when, because it was the only sunny holiday available, I found myself in West Africa in November to "soak up some rays". I had read of, and preached on, Third World poverty, but when it hits you on the face like a wet kipper, and you actually see and feel what it actually means, life can never quite be the same again.
One day I found myself outside a school in Serrekunda, the largest town in The Gambia, in a street which was constructed of hardwood, cardboard and corrugated iron, dust flying everywhere, with ten pupils and forty to fifty children trying to peer in to see what was being taught. London Corner, in Serrekunda, is the poorest area in one of the poorest towns in the world. The children outside couldn't pay for their education, and were therefore excluded. I started by paying the fees of two or three of them to attend. The rest is history.
It was like Topsy, it growed and growed, and within a year I had a fairly large number of people who wanted to buy into the concept of free education and a feeding programme for London Corner.
Today we have a beautiful school, attended by 90 of the poorest children in London Corner, and we provide free education, a free feeding programme and free health care for our children when they are sick. We employ eight or nine people from teachers to cooks to watchmen, and feed eight extended families as a result. I'm proud of the way that the people of Dumbarton and beyond have responded and have made this happen. We send out close to £1,200 every month to continue this work and the cash is closely monitored.
However, we have a problem. The landlord wants his building back and our agreement with him is due to end in January. He seems intransigent and I need face to face meetings with him to see if there is any compromise. We have spent thousands of pounds on his property and can't afford to begin again.
Is this the end of Dumbarton/London Corner Nursery School? Possibly. I need my blogging pals to pray hard that this week we can find a solution, and continue to provide free education to this area. I will do my best, but we don't have a lot to bargain with.
Today, Internet Cafes are more common than eight years ago! So maybe I can update you as the days go on!
Thank you for your prayers!
Monday, 11 May 2009
Dumbarton/London Corner School. The Gambia
Some film from our trip to The Gambia in January has just come my way. This is a short clip of the kids in our school out there on their annual trip. Dancing at school was never like this in my day! More information about the school and our commitment to it can be found HERE.
On the trip, the kids were being shown all the different musical instruments of their country, and as soon as the music started there was no stopping them!
Dumbarton/London Corner School has been "on the go" for around seven years, and we now provide free schooling, a free feeding programme and free medical care for 90 students, and employ 5 teachers, two cooks, and two watchmen. It requires around £1200 per month to keep it all going, but with donations from folk like you we keep it financed - just!
One-off donations can be made HERE.
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