The Gambia Link
Global awareness - Sharing of different cultures

The chance of a lifetime is on order for 21 students and 4 staff from The Commonweal School when they fly out to the Gambia on Friday 20th Oct 2006 for an alternative break to the end of term one!

The aim of the trip is to show hands on what life is really like in this West African country. On the first day Commonweal students will visit the Elders of Gunjur village to show their respect to the village leaders, and ask questions about village life. The visit is at the end of the rainy season with temperatures in the region 100 degrees and comes at the end of Ramadan. Students will be based in Gunjur village which is twinned with Marlborough and the itinerary includes a day with a family to personally experience the difference in cultures. Commented Sue Derrick Head of Performing Arts at Commonweal and trip organiser. “Our students will give gifts to the families and experience a day in the life of a culture that doesn’t have electricity and running water. They will shop for dinner, prepare dinner and eat with the family.”

Students will learn basic Mandinka phrases and visit local pre-schools to deliver workshops in puppet performance, mask making and mural painting. Commonweal students will take part in Gambian drumming sessions delivered by local people and go to market to buy drums to take home.

This is the forth trip Sue Derrick has organised to the Gambia and it has become a tradition to deliver football tournaments between two pre- schools. “We are taking out football kits and trophies and our students will teach them football songs.” Sue added “We are also taking out resources to aid students education, medical supplies and money to help fund a new school. The students have been fabulous and have raised in excess of £4,000!”

This fund raising has come about from cake sales, sponsored trampoline, Year 11 versus staff basketball match, discos, sponsored swim, line dancing, car washing and car boot sales. Each student had a challenge to raise a minimum of £100, needless to say this has been greatly exceeded!

Getting on the trip in the first place was via application and interviews. “We had over 86 students interested in going on the trip, short listing wasn’t easy but the main criteria was to illustrate contributions to school life, a good attitude and team spirit.” Said Sue

Commented Harriet Walters age 14, “I’m really excited but I think it will be a bit of a culture shock. I raised £190 by doing baby sitting, car boot sale, coin collecting and cake sales.”

When the students return to the UK they will deliver extended assemblies to the entire school. This will consist of video and photographs, relaying personal experiences verbally and a drum accompanied song. Staff on the visit are Sue Derrick, Phil Gould, Sue Taylor and Chaz Drew.