Gambia Visit 2006
Global awareness - Sharing of different cultures

We live in a much smaller world these days and naturally schools are encouraged to think about global citizenship and cultural exchange. Most schools run cultural days but the ultimate experience must be actually visiting a country far different from our own.

The Commonweal School, a Performing Arts College in Old Town, Swindon, Wiltshire did just that in the last term break when 21 students and 4 staff flew to the Gambia for an alternative cultural experience. Since their return the students have been hosting presentation to the rest of the school to give them a flavour of life in this African country. On the evening of Wednesday 6th December the students and staff will be delivering a presentation to parents and siblings to again share their experiences and thoughts of which there are very many!

“The first think that hits you when you get off the plane is the heat, it was so humid. Also the colours of the birds and wildlife were brilliant. I loved the way that when you walk through the village streets, you are greeted by so many people, but in England people avoid eye contact with you.” Joshua Lunn age 14.

The aim of the trip was to show hands on what life is really like in this West African country. On the first day Commonweal students visited the Elders of Gunjur village to show their respect to the village leaders, and ask questions about village life.

“The first elder was a woman she was very passionate about her village and wanted people to go from Gambia to England on an exchange The second elder was a religious leader and he told us about Ramadan and I found this very interesting because they fast and pray and their sins are forgiven. The first thing I noticed in the Gambia is that people are so polite and welcoming that was a big change from England. I was fascinated by the surroundings, the people, the building the animals, the markets and everything I knew that this week was going to be amazing and I would love the Gambia. “ Grace McMillian age15

The visit was at the end of the rainy season with temperatures in the region 100 degrees and was at the end of Ramadan. Students were based in Gunjur village which is twinned with Marlborough and the itinerary included 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 gave gifts to the families and experienced a day in the life of a culture that doesn’t have electricity and running water. They helped the family shop for dinner, prepare dinner and eat with the family.”

“We went to the market and there were loads of spices and weird looking fruit and dried fish, the butchers was horrible. When we got back to our families house we chopped up vegetables and ate loads of mango. We sat on the floor and cooked on an open fire, it was really cool.” Catherine Smith age 15

“The butchers shop in the market was pretty awful, meat and offal were hung on hooks and when the butcher lifted a piece up a swarm of flies fly up and settled again when he put it on the counter to chop up. Once the meat was really well cooked it tasted really nice, but I don’t think the fly scenario would go down to well with health and safety in the UK!” Mr Drew

Students learnt basic Mandinka phrases and visited local pre-schools to deliver workshops in puppet performance, mask making and mural painting. Commonweal students took part in Gambian drumming sessions delivered by local people and then went to the market to buy drums to take home.

“The most memorable thing for me was when one little boy ran behind our truck for miles just to get a pencil. I also like getting dressed up in traditional Ramadan costumes and going to prayer with our families. The whole village turned out, it was packed. Men over there have more than one wife which was very odd. We learnt a lot from the Gambian people and as well as sharing our skills and knowledge.” Molly Leslie age 15.

“What really hit me most when I got back was the culture shock and how everyone there is happy all the time and people in England seem mean and unhappy.” Ellie Kibbey age 14.

“It was a strange experience when we visited the village, but nonetheless an amazing one! All the way through the village all the children jumped up and said ‘Taba’ which means white person. Everywhere we went children clamoured on us, at most points we had a tiny child’s hand on each finger, they just wanted to touch us. When we visited a family for the day I was expecting the family to be desperately poor. We went with gifts of wind up radios, dried fruit and pencils. When we arrived the first thing we noticed was two very old stereo systems. We felt embarrassed, but it was strange to think that these were treasured possessions when over here a stereo that old would be thrown away. So many people in England are overly materialistic. In Gambia a TV is sacred and is covered in a special cloth and kept away until used” Josie Tucker age 14.

This is the forth trip Sue Derrick, Head of Performing Arts at The Commonweal School has organised to the Gambia and it has become a tradition to deliver football tournaments between two pre- schools. “We gave football kits and trophies and our students taught them football songs.” Sue added “We are also took with us 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!”

“When we visited the school it was so basic! They didn’t have a solid roof, just a sheet. There was four small wooden tables and a black board. The kids were around five years old and looked really cute in their pink checked uniforms.” Hannah Pearce age 15.

“The children follow you everywhere, the families must be very trusting to allow these tiny tots to follow complete strangers. When you come back to England you really notice how lucky you are, after seeing that little boy running for ages to get a single pencil there is no way you can go back to being selfish having so much while they have so little.” Catie O Donoghue age 15.

This fund raising for the trip came 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