THE first group of this year’s Project Gambia trip will embark on their second day of activities this morning.

But to begin with, two of the Ridgewood High Schools students on the visit – Dan and Chris – reflect back on yesterday’s outing.

Dan said: “Today we visited Kanifing - New life school.

“The children were so excited to see us with their bright smiling faces. They were incredibly nice and friendly, which made the experience better knowing people less fortunate to us are happy no matter what.

“After that we visited Kutosilo village, which you could tell was incredibly poor. They could not afford mosquito nets and hardly any food. Their tiny houses, which were like broom cupboards (in size), could only have two beds in with no room to walk around.

"Today I have realised how lucky I am having running water and food and everything else I have.”

Christ said: "Today we visited Kanifing school where we got to view classrooms, school meals and meet the children at their school.

"They were really happy to see us when we arrived and they crowded round the buses and clung onto us as we walked around the school compound. They sung the Gambian national anthem and their school song. After this we handed some awards out to the school children and met the school teachers.

"We then went to Kotusilo, a small village located on a rubbish dump. I cannot believe that people can live in conditions like this and it’s made me think about our lives in the UK compared to the lives of Gambians. The villagers were really happy to see us and we were allowed to see inside some of their houses and possessions. 

"We then went back to the hotel for lunch and then went to see the new clinic project. It was great to see what it looked like and we handed over some boxes of medical supplies. We then began painting the outside wall of the clinic. 

"We then went to the supermarket to buy treats before heading back to the hotel. 
Tonight we watched some Gambian tribal dancing, it was great and I was asked up twice to have a go.

"It was amazing and very funny. They showed us fire eating and acrobatic dancing which was great! It has been a great day and I cannot wait for tomorrow to come!"

The members of the project also visited a clinic in Kutosilo for the first time where donations of medical supplies which were collected by Stourbridge primary schools were handed out.

While at Kanifing School, awards were handed out to students who have progressed well in school and later in the evening the students were entertained by African dancers.

Looking ahead to today – day two of the trip – the group will be heading back to Kanifing this morning to take part in craft activities with the nursery school children.

This afternoon the group will split in two, with half going back to the school and the other half heading out to the clinic to start painting walls.

In the evening the group will be treated at the parlour...

Each day the project is out in the Gambia, a student will write their own blog post detailing their own thoughts and experiences.

Blog posts and daily information on the trip will be available on both the Stourbridge News website and at projectgambia.org.uk.

The Stourbridge News has also joined forces with Project Gambia to help raise money to buy and install a water pump at the farm in the Gambian village of Sintet.

Our Well of Life appeal needs to raise £10,000 to fund the pump and irrigation system to serve drought-stricken farming land.

Members of Project Gambia will be visiting Sintet this week where they will see the location of the impending installation of the much needed pump.

To make a donation now 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.