Published: 11 May 2008
Sue's April 2008 trip to The Gambia
I met Tim about four years ago as he is a local badminton coach and my son Thomas joined one of his after-school groups. Thomas soon became a keen player and attended 2 or 3 sessions a week. We became good friends of Tims and have been involved with most of the fundraising events over the four year period.
It was always a forgone conclusion that at some point I would go on one of the trips to The Gambia as other parents had already been. I was pleased Tom and Sam were joining us as they are both very nice, mature boys.
When we went on April 7th I had mixed feelings... excitement and apprehension to name but a few. But when we arrived at the airport around 3pm the Gambian boys were waiting there to greet us, all with happy smiling faces. Abu our driver had brought them. It was a lovely welcome, they were all so friendly and straight away I felt at ease with the boys. At first I struggled to understand them but actually their English is excellent.
They came back to the hotel with us and helped with our luggage, then they went and fetched us crates of pop and water. I had a good nights sleep after a tiring first day due mainly to the six and a half hour flight!
On Wednesday morning we got up, had breakfast and then Abu picked us up at about 11.30am to go to the hall. It was about a twenty minute journey down some very rough tracks and this was when things really started to hit home about The Gambia. The conditions that these people live in is heartbreaking. Obviously, no running water or electricity, the compounds (houses) look like derelict buildings, no windows or doors just openings, everywhere appeared cluttered up with rubbish but these things were their worldly goods!
They cook on open fires and wash their clothes outside in a trough, then just hang them over trees to dry. Some were fortunate enough to have some string to have a line. They have goats, pigs and chickens for produce then I presume for dinner! I didn't like to ask too many questions being an animal lover, but when its a case of survival that puts a different light on things.
One thing that really sticks in my mind is that these people who have basically nothing are so happy. They all wave and greet you, the children come running towards you shouting hello, hello. So friendly and pleased to see you.
We arrived at Youna which was a bit daunting, as when we pulled up in the school grounds we were bombarded with children all wanting to greet us at once, shaking our hands. When we managed to peel ourselves away we walked round to the sports hall, WOW, I was not expecting that.
The hall is the biggest building in Youna, the photos don't do it justice, its absolutely brilliant. When I walked in some of the players were already in there waiting for us... once again more hand shaking and happy faces. A few of the boys were on court playing badminton. The hall is great with just one court. The walls were cream but in need of a fresh coat of paint, and there is wiring for lights fans etc but as yet no electricity.
My job was to mark the court out as the existing lines have nearly worn away. I did this with tape kindly donated by William Farr School and was very time consuming but I got quite a bit of help from the boys, especially Midu. Once finished, we gave the boys their red t-shirts donated by Running Imp, and their rackets donated by Carlton. They looked fantastic in the red shirts, and then for the last twenty minutes or so they played the run-around game.
We visited the hall everyday apart from Saturday, and I have to say I was shocked at the standard of play. They obviously really take on board what Tim has taught them... they know all the rules and I think Tom and Sam had their work cut out for them. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the badminton and the boys get so much pleasure from playing. Even Tamba the headmaster joined in for the team games. Tom was very kind to him when he had to play against him, Tamba was very grateful.
The hall is used for other things as well as the badminton; we attended a school assembly in there. We gave Tamba £400 from the fund to get the hall painte, and asked him to get a quote for a generator which is the next thing on the agenda so as the lights and fans can be used.
I could write so much more about my trip to The Gambia but hopefully I have given you a brief outline as to what your money has done for these people. We can't change their lives but by continuing to support this worthy cause maybe we can give them a new experience that seems to bring them so much pleasure.
And finally I would like to thank everyone who has contributed in one way or another and you should be proud at what we have achieved so far. And as for Tim, Tom and Sam - you made this trip so much fun for me, I have never laughed or cried so much in one week! We had an amazing time and hopefully we can do it again sometime.
Tim Mawer, you're a very special person for taking this on board, keep up the good work!!
Sue Taylor