Kanilai International Cultural Festival

Hi to everyone in sunny Devon and Cornwall from sunny Gambia!

It's great to hear you've had some sunshine.  Thought I would tell you all about an amazing weekend I spent down in Kanilai, the home village of The President of The Gambia.

The Kanilai International Cultural Festival started last weekend and runs until 7th June. It is a showcase of the best of African culture along with other invited performers from overseas.

His Excellency generously throws open the gates of his grounds and offers this free festival to everyone.
I saw troupes of Gambian singers, dancers and performers representive of all the tribes along with the National Troupes from Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Mali and Mauritania.

It was simply amazing, a fantastic experience to be recommended to anyone visiting The Gambia.

This week Jermaine Jackson is performing a tribute to Michael Jackson at the Independence Stadium, another popular venue in the Gambia for National and International stars.

Tending the compound

Spent Saturday weeding, watering, sweeping and planting my very neglected compound. Sunday saw me with a dozen children sorting out boxes of books and resources, spring-cleaning the classroom and finding items to donate to other schools. This morning at the crack of dawn 20 bright faces appeared to carry 500 books to their school, Madiana Primary. I have donated lots of books to them and the teachers have organised a library system which is working really well. I also dropped off two huge boxes of Maths resources to Brufut Secondary School this afternoon. This is all possible due the continued support of Trevor Anderson and the ladies at Oxfam on Mutley Plain who send us out boxes of books to help in our quest to improve literacy in The Gambia. Thank you Trevor and Co, it really is working!
Till next time
Debbie

The treats of home

I had a fabulous treat on Friday, courtesy of the lovely Adelia Chamberlain at Amber Health and Beauty, Mannamead. In my previous life, I used to visit Adelia frequently for relaxing massages, highly-effective but not quite so relaxing waxing and the most amazing pedicures. Since I moved out to The Gambia I have totally abandoned such wonderfully indulgent experiences and so I was ecstatic when Adelia invited me over to sample some of her latest treatments. Here is a picture of me being pampered with a delightful facial, which I have to say has visibly rejuvenated my sun-baked skin. With deft hands she cleverly reshaped my slug-like eyebrows using the threading method which was highly effective and made a dramatic difference to my droopy eyes. After a totally relaxing aromatherapy massage, I felt like a new person. Thank you Adelia, you knew how much I needed a treat after all the hard work in The Gambia and I enjoyed every moment. The treatments available at Amber are too numerous to list here but check out their website at www.amber.gb.net.
I can't write about Adelia without also mentioning her husband Frank and son Kieran. When we were organising the first container of charity goods going out to The Gambia in 2008, Kieran turned out loads of his unwanted clothes, books and other possessions and donated them to Gambian Projects. Frank made sure the whole family had helped us by selflessly giving up several hours of his time and energy to help pack the 40ft container. Frank, being Frank, took over the organisation of the packing and did a sterling job in half the time it would have taken had he not been present.
My heartfelt thanks to all three of you. If there were more people like you in the world, it would be a better place!

Friends get together after 29 years!

When I was at Uni in London many moons ago I spent my first year in a hall of residence and then later shared a flat with Helena Meineck who is now Manager of All Saints Pre-School in Exmouth.

After finishing her Dance studies, Helena moved to Italy where she lived for about 25 years.

She returned to England a few years ago along with her husband and gorgeous son Tommy. We got in touch via Facebook after a 29 year gap in communication.

Today, Helena drove Tommy down to Plymouth where he donated loads of his clothes, books and toys for the children in The Gambia.

Helena and I are going to link the two schools giving the children lots of opportunities to find out more about their counterparts living in vastly different countries.

We're both excited by the link and looking forward to providing lots of interesting joint projects for the children to experience.



Pictured here are Helena and Tommy with just a few of the items Tommy generously gave to the children of Madiana village.

Sunshine and smiles?

Well, I definitely brought the sunshine back with me from Africa but unfortunately as I flit around Plymouth I am struck by the lack of sunny smiles I am used to in The Gambia.

So, as a treat for those of you who enjoy a sunny face, I hope you will enjoy these photos shot by Lucy Blake, Herald Photographer, during her trip to our projects in February. Keep smiling!!

Best wishes

Debbie

Try a smile!

Hi everyone!

It seems very strange to be blogging from Plymouth Central Library rather than a hot, internet cafe in The Gambia, but here I'm enjoying sitting on a comfy chair with plenty of personal space around me and not having to pay for the priviledge either.

This morning I went to the doctors to have a few minor medical issues investigated and came away with the treatment I needed and a couple of future appointments.

I cannot blog without saying this; we are so so fortunate in this country to have all these facilities (yes, I know we pay heavily for them with taxes) and yet nobody seems to be smiling.

I'm trying to work out why the Gambians spend all day smiling and laughing with so little and yet we have so much here and walk around as miserable as sin.

Anyone got any ideas to cheer up the nation? (I know there is the General Election on May 6th but will that change anything?).

I'd like to bottle up the smiles and giggles from the children I work with and send them over here.

It is impossible to feel sad there when you see their faces and sparkling eyes. I love it there.

Don't get me wrong, I'm going to appreciate every moment I am here for the following month as it is great to open up a fridge or freezer and choose yummy food or munch on crisps and junk food.

It has been amazing to meet up with friends and family and share hugs and cuddles with those I love; it makes me realise how much I miss all those things when I am away.

However, my life still belongs in The Gambia for the forseeable future and I have lots to do there before I will consider my work done.

I really look forward to hearing from anyone interested in coming out to volunteer their services.

Particularly any teachers graduating this summer who have no jobs lined up.

We can offer free accommodation and food allowance in exchange for your time and energy. All you have to do is pay your fare.

Gap year companies charge a small fortune for such an experience so have a think about it and get in touch with me at dwdebs@aol.com or check out the website www.gambianprojects.com It is good to be "home".

Until next time

Debbie Williams

Back to reality

Just to let everyone know that I will be back in Plymouth for a much-needed break for the month of April. Look forward to hearing from all our supporters and meeting up with as many of you as possible to show you all the pics and tell you about my experiences here! Please email me if you would like to get together. dwdebs@aol.com Will try to bring some African sunshine back with me!

See you soon

best wishes

Debbie