Day three - Sunday 18th January

The African dancing was unfortunately not on when we got to Serekunda - Kabs had mixed up the dates and it was just general dancing much of which is reggae, which I just love, so I did not mind at all. The place was called Jokers - lots of English there too, the girls in the hotel in Kotu where we stayed went and also enjoyed it I remember.

Slept better but I am waking early, which is good because I need to walk into Kololi and to the beach early or it is too hot for walking.

Walked in again, talking to people en route and just loving the early sun and dusty roads. I met my little friends on the beach - 7 of them. I had a photo taken of me in the water with them - I hope it comes out. I also have all their names and ages and have promised to write. Actually I could spend the rest of my life writing to various Gambians if I'm not careful! The smiles of the children warm my heart and I do so hope I can return and work in a school.

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This afternoon I am being taken to see the school in Bakoteh which has been entirely funded by sponsors via GTS and holds its Official Opening on Friday, the day I leave Gambia. But today I will at least see the building and meet the Task Force of parents and town officials who are responsible for planning and ensuring the Official Opening goes to plan on Friday. Although GTS provided the materials, it was built by the people of the village and will be handed to them to manage and develop. GTS will however continue to support, monitor and finance wages and materials, but the school will belong to the community who must take on board the seriousness of their responsibility.

But now I must get to GTS bar and have something to eat and then get home and wash off this grease and sand if I can. Not easy with cold water. Today I had hoped to sleep a little on the beach but my 7 little friends proved that to be impossible, but I don't mind, they are gorgeous little boys and some speak English quite well. Now the number has grown to 10 and I feel like the Pied Piper as I set off to GTS with them all trailing along behind me - I end up buying them all chips at GTS and having an omelette myself before I return home by taxi.

The 4o'clock meeting of the Task Force to plan the Official Opening was preceded with a quick visit to the school in question. I was amazed at the work still outstanding, no windows were in, no painting begun, one of the classroom floors needed concreting and a huge pile of rubble was directly in front of the entrance. I could not believe that between Sunday and Thursday all would be ready for the Official Opening and I said so to Kabs. He assured me it would, I did not believe him.

Bakoteh Mosque

The 4p.m. Work Force meeting began on Gambian time of nearer 5p.m. We sat in a large semi-circle in the middle of a dusty compound belonging to the chief of the village. The meeting began with prayers and was attended by approximately 10 members plus a local councillor on my left, Kabs from GTS who led the discussions, the village chief and between Kabs, the Councillor and a teacher they translated all the main topics for me as the meeting progressed.

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Three ladies in their bright loose clothes then joined us with turbans on their heads complete with babies strapped to their backs and clinging to their knees. An elder begins to talk now in Mandinka, the women continue to laugh and chatter and the children to yell. A stern word from the Chief stops them for a while and they shyly giggle and whisper to each other! I smile at them and they giggle back at me.

The Councillor outlines the necessity for a working party to ensure the school is finished and everything is in order for the Official Opening which will be attended by an Education Minister (I think,) a Member of Parliament, various other officials and about 300 guests I believe they said. Then the GTS Manager Kabs takes over and underlines what organisation he wants to be in place for the opening. He underlines to me that it is important they and I understand that the school belongs to the community, not to GTS who raised the money. GTS is just there to check they are accountable and that the correct administration is in place. He underlines the importance of this. Now he tells those present they must also have a School Committee for management purposes and much discussion follows in African.

Now he asks 'How can we keep this school running?' He wants them all to realise their responsibility for day-to-day running and sustainability.

They return to the agenda item of the role of each member at the Official Opening and a goat wanders into the middle of our circle followed by her two kids - I feel I'm on location on a film set and I smile to myself for no-one else turns a hair and the goats wander off again.

Kabs reminds them the school will need books, paper, pencils when it opens, hopefully a week after the Official Opening, and he stresses that the parents must be responsible in providing the uniforms for their children, 'so they can be proud' he adds. Now two goats and four kids wander back in and even I ignore them.

Staffing for the school's 90 children is discussed all of whom will be funded by GTS with sponsors' help. 5 staff, comprising two teachers, one headmaster, one Arabic teacher and one cleaner are discussed.
The committee want to add another staff member - a Night Watchman for security reasons. Kabs considers this and finally agrees to GTS funding for the additional post.

I later discover the wages bill for GTS to find is now £300 a month for all six posts - a pittance here perhaps but another huge undertaking for GTS. They will also provide books, pens and paper on an on-going basis.

The Councillor brings up the cost of a toilet facility. I am amazed having visited the site that no toilet has been built at the back. Evidently there was no further money and Gambians just dig a hole in the ground if necessary, and it often is necessary. There is loud discussion with everyone talking at once! I ascertain that the Councillor maintains a toilet must be built quickly and if GTS can provide the materials and as with the building of the school, the local community provide the labour.

I can see from Kabs face that the money is not available, that there are still the desks and chairs, signs and other items to cover beside the wages bill in a week or so - and I think of Bob and Anna my friends in England and their generous offer to fund up to £200 on a project which meets with my approval. I cannot think of a better project, or one that will be better overseen and executed, or indeed that is needed more than a toilet block.

I ask if running water is on site and learn that it is. I ask if it can be built for the Official Opening on Friday or at least before the children begin school and again the answer is yes. I then offer the £200 with an explanation of its source. Kabs accepts immediately and informs the Task Force, who erupt with pleasure and I feel a lump in my throat and I know I have chosen a project which will meet with Bob and Anna's full approval and I know the toilets are of paramount importance and will contribute to the health and dignity of thousands of children now and in the future. I am pleased I waited to learn more about GTS and to take time to identify a project of great worth to the community.

Suddenly a woman asks me if I like to dance! The Councillor translates and I tell her I most certainly do but I don't have the lovely bottom of the African women, which lends much to their style of dancing! (These curvaceous, almost platform like bottoms are described as lopi-juice - no, don't ask me why, I have no idea.)

Now they discuss opening the Official Opening with prayers and also consider if they should invite the Regional Education Minister and they try to gauge how many invitations have been accepted, but I don't think they have actually gone out yet! I may be wrong.

Refreshments are considered of paramount importance for such an occasion and what should be served is discussed and agreed. Cake and meat pie must form a big part of the refreshments and Kabs asks how it is to be paid for and great concern is expressed - how indeed!

I decide to fund this aspect myself and also to provide the pens for their first day. This I do later and privately with Kabs. - so much can be achieved here with what is a small amount to us but major to Gambians.

Now the meeting is discussing inviting the Regional Director of S.O.S. (Save our Souls) a large Norwegian charity who run a beautifully managed orphanage in Gambia, run on the lines of the old Dr. Barnardos, (family huts with mother and father figures and a small number of children.) These children are fortunate, despite not having parents of their own, they are well cared for, loved and fed and many other children envy their 'good luck.'

A lovely old gentlemen sitting on my right is talking, he has a white beard and wise eyes. He wears an all white robe with a beautiful pink scarf draped over his shoulder and an embroidered gold cap. He holds green beads with which he prays - like a rosary.

Now it is the public address system under discussion. In the middle of it all a husband who is outside the circle calls his wife away loudly, he has had enough and wants her back in the house. She shouts back at him, he shouts at her again and everyone laughs - thoroughly enjoying the altercation, including the participants.

I suddenly feel overwhelmed and so privileged to be here. My man has supported me and I will always be grateful to him.

The Councillor now says he wants the Mayor to open the school and another man is designated to officially register the school and tells me he already has the paperwork in hand.

At many instances during this meeting I thought of the planning of our Official Opening of our new extension at work this year and many issues rang a bell. Not handled the same way of course, but issues of import like who to invite, what to eat, what to drink, who says what and in what order etc. all had similarities and I smiled as I thought, ' Not many goats though in the Centre's garden!

Sadly the meeting closed but not before I had a photograph taken of me in the circle and not before I had a chance of thanking them for making me so welcome.'

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