STUDENTS and staff who are part of this year’s Project Gambia initiative visited the farming village of Sintet yesterday.

Sintet, based in the south of The Gambia near its border with Senegal, is the location of the planned water pump which is being funded by the Stourbridge News Well of Life appeal.

The News joined forces with the Ridgewood High School project to provide a much needed water supply for the drought-stricken area.

The group visited the farm to get a chance to see firsthand how the money that is being raised by the appeal will help the villagers.

Lydia Robinson, a year 10 pupil, was part of the group and she has written about her Sintet experience.

“Today we woke up early to go to Sintet, which was a three hour drive in a minibus.

“When we arrived we walked straight to the farm and had a tour around. We saw the extended areas of the now 400m squared area for the different variety of crops.

“The Stourbridge News want to build a well to provide water for the farm and villagers.

“After this we took a short ride to the local school, which was made longer due to the women and children of the village dancing and welcoming us as we arrived.

“Then we sat down in the only bit of shade under a big tree to have the welcome ceremony: including speeches, dances and speeches. We also got welcomed up to dance with them and were given their necklaces and material.

“After the speeches and ceremony was over we went to go and paint one of the classrooms with decorations to help the children learn. Whilst we were doing this, another group were entertaining the children with face painting and activities.

“All of this was done in 40 degree heat, which is supposedly a cool day according to the headteacher of the school in Sintet.

“It was really great to actually see the farm that we had heard so much about and I can’t wait to see it when the well is installed.”

Today the group will split into three and visit Half Dye and Kanifing schools as well as Serrekunda market.

Blog posts and daily information on the trip, which will conclude on Friday, has been available at www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/projectgambia and at projectgambia.org.uk.

The Well of Life appeal needs to raise £10,000 to fund the pump and irrigation system to serve the villagers of Sintet.

To make a donation to the appeal visit www.justgiving.com/welloflifeappeal/ or text PROG15 and your amount, either £10, £5, £4, £3, £2, £1, to 70070.

People can also donate cash or cheques in person at the Stourbridge News offices, at St John’s House, St John’s Road, Stourbridge.

Cheques need to be made payable to Project Gambia Trust Ridgewood, and you’ll need to write Well off Life Appeal on the back.

If you are carrying out an event to help raise funds for the Well of Life Appeal please call our reporter Dan Sharp on 01384 358223, or email dan.sharp@stourbridgenews.co.uk with details.