Playing with parachutes

This is at Kolior lower basic school. The Nursery teacher Mr Sabally and I introduced the children to the parachute. The bit they liked best was when we put the balls on the parachute and they could watch them all fly off.

Final ECD workshop

parachute games

Ellie showing the teachers human obstacle course. No resources required, only bodies.

playing Brikama, Basse, Bansang

Chris and Sohna our secretary from work with her little boy

Today I did (probably) my final workshop in The Gambia. At least it was a fun one to finish! Thanks very much to the staff, children and parents of Risca Primary who donated their harvest festival money for 2 years running so that I could put on these workshops. Thanks also to Christine my new neighbour and colleague in Soma who very kindly donated the parachute to my cluster of nursery teachers.

Tobaski in Kerewan

This cheeky trio is Ebie, Sainey and Sudaise.

I spent Tobaski in Kerewan with Vicky, Suky and Nfamara. We hung out for most of the day at Vicky's partner's compound, Sonko Kunda. It was a really special day and will be added to my best memories of The Gambia. Nfamara's family are wonderful people and made us very welcome. The day starts with prayers when everyone, men, women and children go to the mosque.

When they return they slaughter the Rams, some of the meat is give to families who can't afford to buy a Ram.

The Ram is then cut up, no part is wasted! The men then cook the liver is over a charcoal stove and everyone gets a piece.

In the evening everyone gets dressed up in their new tobaski clothes. The children go round from compound to compound asking for Salibou. They get sweets, biscuits or a dalasi coin.

The women cook with the rest of the meat.

This is lunch. Ram Benechin. Very nice!

Nkey, Pa Sonko's second wife and baby Asnau. Sadly baby Asnau's mother Kaddy died recently but she is being very ably cared for by the women of the compound.

Vicky and Nfamara in asobi (outfits in matching fabric) People often have these made for special occasions.

Some of the women and children of Sonko Kunda. Left to right. Maimuna and baby Isatou, Fatoumatta, Amie, Vicky, Fatoumatta, Bintou and Sudaise.

In front Ebie

Nfamara making lei for us. It's lovely! Evaporated milk with lots of sugar boiled over the charcoal stove in a burrada (small kettle)

Me, Fatoumatta and Amie

Ram fried with onions and spices! This was the second course, after the Ram's liver which was also delicious.

Silence of the Rams!!!

Nfamara chopping up the meat.

Pa Sonko, Nfamara's father and eldest son Lamin chopping up the Ram.

Breakfast mono made with cous with lots of tinned milk and sugar.