• Hello all!

  Today was quite a short day in The Gambia. This morning was an early morning - we went to see an assembly at the school. Each class lines up in the 'playground' 1 line for boys an 1 for girls - upper school, lower school and nursery. They stand and sing songs and then go into class. The atmosphere and the noise is overwhelming !! African singing and dancing - with no instruments it's just amazing ! I love it !

  I then went into one of the nursery classes and did art and craft with them... We had elastic string and beads to make jewellery and some paper,glue, pencils to make pictures (I have kept loads of them). This was so much fun and the phrase for the morning was 'Toubab do for me' and 'Toubab give me'. (Toubab means 'white person')

  This afternoon I walked to the local craft market - it was fun. Met a couple locals, received some more compliments, got asked out to dinner a couple times and I brought a bag! Successful overall ! Hehe

  This afternoon we returned to school for a Christian programme. Again the singing and dancing of African children - amazing! A young boy (17) who aspires to be a pastor then preached for 20 minutes and he was so good ! His face just lit up the whole time - he has a calling from God and you could see it shining out of him the whole time !! A young girl from the school, 10 years old going on 30 ! She plaited a couple of our hair into braids - and it looks awesome! She did 4 different styles on us, considering how different our hair is from theirs it was phonomenal ! If the internet was better I would post a photo but unfortunately I can't do that!

  I decided today whilst sitting by the pool that I am coming back here again ! I have too ! And then after having my hair braided the girls and boys told me I am now a Gambian and so I must stay ! Haha! Think that proves it

  I am really tired (the sun really takes it out of you!! It's surprising !) and have got to be up super early tomorrow so I'll leave it there for tonight ! Will hopefully do a couple posts tomorrow !

  Night night xxx
• 

  20:46

  Sarah Neuenhaus

  That was yesterday's. Never got it to send !

Hey everyone !

Well today has been a long and emotional day !

The day started with breakfast again overlooking the sea - more pancakes! Amazing! I have discovered I don't like Gambian tea but the coffee is not bad!

We then headed to the nursery school in half dye. I loved this school last time and I loved it more today - beautiful little children ! And so many need sponsors - I am going to sponsor but I don't know how to 'pick' just one. So difficult !! We then went to the local compound that some of te children live in. And I had my first tear-fest ! The family lived in a swamp area an their house gets flooded every year - they sleep on a piece of foam as a mattress and there are 10 people in a bed !! Seriously - something has to change around here. You just cannot imagine it until you've seen it properly with your own eyes ! On te way back to the van a young girl handed me a tiny tiny baby ! Just handed him to me and walked off - so here I am with a new born baby in my arms - looking at a compound knowin the situation and all I can do is hold him so tight and sob !! Nothing has ever hit me the way that hit me ! The mother than came walking over and told me he was a gift for me - that I was to take him! Like ..... I am just speechless still even now !! His name was Omar the mother was not much older than me - and I promised that next time I come here I will find him ! So ... There it is people - I will be returning to The Gambia !!! You heard it here first

This afternoon we ate at the main school. People who attended my Gambian evening - I put it all go practise ! We ate benechin and we ate with our hands ! It was awesome !!!

Then a short walk along the beach during sunset and out for a lovely meal ! Now we're poolside in the sea air watching some African dancing

That's all I'm going to say for today because I just still am feeling so emotional !

Goodnight all !

Hey everyone ! I've been having a few issues with wifi here (again it is Gambia !) so last night went to bed and slept really we'll. windows open (with mozzie nets over them) to get the sea breeze coming through, slept with a very thin sheet and slept really well Woke up this morning at 7am and got up to eat breakfast from a buffet over looking the sea. I really don't think life could get any better !! Pancakes and a glass of fresh fruit juice - whilst looking at a bright blue sky and peaceful sea ! Bliss !!

We then went to the first school - this is the place I wanted to see most as it is where we brought money to build an extra block of classrooms. It was amazing to finally see that building being used ! Awesome! The kids were as loving and amazing as I remembered ! Just wanting to touch your skin, nails, hair everything ! A group of young girls tried to plait my hair but quickly gave up because it feels so different to then they didn't know while to. So they just combed if for me

We then returned to the hotel for lunch (crackers and marmite for me) and a swim in the pool ! It was around 32degees today and bright blue skies all day ! Beautiful!

Then we went to the local village - which Is worse than I remember it ! Absolutely heart-wrenching ! I just can't put into words the way it affects you ! A village sitting on a literal dump. This time we were shown inside a couple 'houses' - this means 1 square room with (if they're lucky) a very thin rotting piece of foam as a mattress to sleep 6 people ! It just absolutely pulls at your heart strings !

And now I am sitting poolside with a coke watching a Gambian Michael Jackson dance and sing kareoke ! Looking up the sky is so clear - all the stars are out !! And a gentle breeze off the sea blowing against us !

Oh - if my friends are reading this (you know who you are) last night at the restaurant ' ba na an ba na na na na ' ' was playing all night ! Was a little reminder of you all !! Hehe

I will update again tomorrow !! At this moment in time - I don't want to come home ! Everyone here is friendly, the pace of life is so much more chilled - everyone smiles at you. Plus - I've been asked on 3 dates already haha !!

Night night all from The Gambia! xx

It's time ..

This is my last blog post pre- Gambia trip whilst on British soil.

I have checked in, said goodbye to my mom, been through security checks (without any of my piercings setting the alarms off. Win!!) eaten breakfast, taken my tablet, looked through duty free and am now sat waiting to board my place !

Now .. It is beginning to sink in !

I am really excited now!
For 5 years I have been hoping, praying and waiting to be able to return to The Gambia and now .. By the grace of God I am waiting for that very flight !
God is good !!!

Time for me to find and re-join my fellow travellers !

Talk to you when I'm in Africa !! :D

Xxx

1 day, 2 sleeps...

Today I started my malaria tablets ... So far they have not made me feel ill ! Woohoo ! 

I went and brought lots of insect repellant and medicines. So I think I am all stocked up on that front..

I have just said goodbye to my bestest friends.. Horrible ! It's only 10 days but I'm going to miss them so much :( however, I was very proud of myself for not shedding a tear (more than can be said after this mornings farewells) 

Tomorrow, I will be packing my suitcase - talk about last minute ! Finishing uni work and then sleeping before the 2.30am start on Tuesday ! 

It is really beginning to sink in now ... 

Here is a copy of my itinerary and prayer points that I gave out to people today ...

Countdown Begins

It is now less than 1 week !!!!!

This time in a week I will be in The Gambia ! omgsh!!

I cannot believe how fast time is flying by, it is absolutely crazy!

I am sitting in a wooly jumper, with a cup of tea, heating on, shivering…. and in just 7 days I will be sitting in glorious sunshine and heat of up to 40 degrees!

I am just … speechless! I can't wait, i am so excited but so nervous and oh my I need to pack and get sun cream and insect repellent and marmite (It  keeps mosquitos away) !

eeeeek!!!

A bit of girly excitement..

This past summer, I could fit into hardly any of my summer clothes and it was rather gutting. So I made it my aim, that by the time I go to The Gambia I would fit back into most of it. The most important to me (sounds stupid) were my linen trousers, and with 10 days (YES 10 days !!!!) I have finally fit back into them ! 

I'm so happy ! :D 

Next is try my shorts and t shirts again ! Fingers crossed !! 

You'll all be glad to know that I did reward myself for such great achievements ..... With 2 haribo jelly babies :) hehe

not long now..

Today is the 6th November…. which means it is 20 days exactly until I fly to The Gambia ! Oh my gosh !!! I cannot believe how quickly this is coming around… I still have so much uni work to do before I go - maaaan ! I need to stop getting distracted so much, get some motivation and get this all done !

I am starting to feel so so excited now.. but I'm still feeling scared and nervous and a little worried about the unknown! But i don't think ill ever stop feeling those feelings.. so just learning how to deal with them!