Day 6- Orphanage

Continuing from day 5...

We got back to the hotel at approximately 10:00am. By this time everyone was exhausted... as it was our last day everyone was given rest until 3:00pm. We still had one more orphanage to visit. 

It has to be said, that everyone in our group was exceptional and persevered patiently with all the challenges, obstacles and trails along the way. From our van with improvised wooden seats padded with a thin layer of foam, to sacrificing hotel room luxuries for dusty, weathered roads, scorching heat, humidity and the basic amenities of the villages.  This endeavour was a huge testament to our group’s patience, unflinching will and desire to push beyond their comfort zones.  

Although many of the group decided to take some much needed rest in the hotel, a few guys felt they still had enough in their tanks to visit local attraction sites such as a craft market, crocodile reserve and local heritage museum.

Traditional tribal costume 

National Heritage tree

Historical instruments 

Our very own Crocodile Dundee 

After our brief encounter with the wild we made our way to an orphanage in Tobokoto village that was set up by one of our partner charities Noor- Aid. 
Noor-Aid have been working in Gambia for over 10 years and have achieved great things and successes for many Gambian communities. One story of their success is the orphanage we visited.

We arrived at the orphanage to be greeted by the Head Teacher. We were then given a tour of the premises which wasn't big but appeared to be over-subscribed with orphans.
We donated 450kg of rice, books, pens, crayons, sponsorship for all 46 students and 16 sleeping mattresses for students sleeping on the floor.

The sleeping quarters for the orphans of the village.

The last visit of the trip was to distribute rice in the village of Noor-Aid's head office in Gambia.

As sunset approached and news the aid distribution began to spread things began to get a bit hectic

Noor-Aid Gambia Head office

Getting blessing from a village elder 

Dividing of the rice into smaller bags to be distributed. 

record of those that have been given food

Tannoy used to call out families that have not received aid pack

The project was a success. We had exceeded our fundraising target, got more volunteers than we expected, received more support than we had imagined both back home in the UK and in The Gambia. The project developed a spirit and life of its own.

We had made new friends, and seen a country and people who had very little material means, but in terms of virtue and character were soaring in the skies. Everyone had fallen in love with the smiling coast of Africa, and our brothers and sisters that lived there. The “trip” was a lesson for all of us, and one we promised ourselves that we would never forget.