Goodbye but most will be saying "Salaam maalekum"........

We left the PIA Skills Centre with many handshakes, hugs " Thank you" (Abbarraka, Jerrijeff), tears, and smiles.....Many of us feel we will go back sometime in the future........

There are ideas, plans and improvements being made all the time due to the drive of certain individuals.

The group of 1985 has been extended to a much bigger family that will keep on developing. 

The extended 2010 group have had a truely fantastic experience, contributing lots but gaining absolutley loads from the 2010 Gambian Experience.

Thanks have to go mainly to Roddy and Anne Ross and Abdoulie Bah who make a possibility a reality.........

Penyem Health Post 2010

PIA Skills Centre Hall , Bakau

Formal Opening of The Skills Centre Computer Suite

On Friday morning the students at The Skills Centre were all taking chairs to the hall and waited patiently.  The 100 new chairs looked fantastic and before the formalities started the audience of students, staff and visitors took up their seats to fill the hall. 
The visiting VIPs for the High Table arrived: Malang Jasseh, Director of Youth and Sports also on The Board for PIA; Malick Ceesay Executive of NEDI and GAH; Musa Mbye Executive Director NYSS.  They were accompanied by Abdoulie Bah Chief Executive for PIA; Alex Cumming Deputy Director DOE Scotland; Anne Ross Leader of the Group; Mary Mendy, the first PIA Gold Award Holder; Saite Jallow Member of PIA 1985 Group;and Abass Sandeng Skills Centre Manager.

Mr Joseph Fogbakia introduced the proceedings and each member the High table spoke.  There was much reference to the 1985 project  and how it all started but also to the tireless and determined efforts for the development of the whole PIA in The Gambia.   Roddy and Anne were formally thanked for their hard work and vision alongside Abdoulie Bah.  In Roddy's absence we were asked to signal if we knew and had worked with Roddy.  Many many people put their hands up and their was a buzz of chat ..I am sure you will be told on your next visit Roddy.  Then Mark, as IT specialist, was asked to speak to formally hand over the computers to the Skills Centre. He shortly recounted their journey from Landau Forte College to The Skill Centre. Certificates and Awards were then presented, one of which was to  Abdoulie Bah recognising his life long determination and work for the PIA.  This was presented to him by Alex on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Office.  Abdoulie referred in his speak to how he wants to continue to extend the PIA in The Gambia and internationally...................

The VIPs round the High Table then went to the Computer Suite to cut the ribbon and formally open the Suite for The Skills Centre.

The Chairs and a party!

The buzz and excitement was of course the arrival of 100 chairs!!!!..........

Following intense negotiations in Banjul and Serrekunda we have secured the purchase of 100 chairs for the Skills Centre Hall.  Lovely sturdy white ones (tested by several people). Neil and Morven nearly managed to injure themselves by balancing on the back of the pick up with 100 chairs but all were safe.......

Yes they were safe!!



This was Roddy's idea nearly 2 years ago.  The group were determined to try and make this happen, as we greatly missed Roddy being with us this time ........so Roddy can now see what we have managed to do on his next visit.  The Skills centre can now hire out the hall and the chairs and generate some more income.  They could perhaps get 200 chairs and more income for other developments......and thus we had to celebrate.

What better place then to have a "party" was at Mary Mendy's house.  There must have been 50 of us in the end on the top floor outside celebrating being together again.  Solomon had been busy all day helping Mary and the food that was brought out was truly delicious.

Mary's family joined in and many more as the  Gambian dance started led by Buba and Sadibou!  These boys just hear one note and they start to dance.....

We then danced Scottish style with a very fast "Strip the Willow"  with the girls being swung round in true style.  The grill did not start for ages so the British had to leave the party as it was very late and we had to be ready the next day at 08.30. Sorry Solomon!!

Visit to the Ministry of Youth and Sports

Thursday was an important meeting at The Ministry of Youth and Sports for The Gambia, in Banjul. We all got togged up with the best clothes we had and travelled in the pick up and car.  Sainey, as usual was very punctual and got us to The Ministry in style.  The Permanent Secretary, Mr Alieu Jammeh, met with us and was very interested to hear the history of  The Penyem project 25 years ago and the development of The President's International Award since.  He asked all of us, after Ann explained the development in the last 25 years, about what we had been doing this time. Jade spoke on behalf of the girls who had done their expedition and formally thanked him on behalf of us all for the opportunities we all have had. He was most interested in us and in the links between Duke of Edinburgh Award and PIA and Gamscot.







Jade's formal thank you



Mr Jammeh was very interested in how many young people have benefited from these links since 1985.  Alex explained the importance and influence The Gambia  has had on many young people lives which he has heard both Barry and Roddy from The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme Scotland talk about over the years. The PIA epitomizes and puts in practice what the vision statement is for The Ministry.

After the meeting- we had some fun and is this Abdoulie Bah, the Chief Executive of the President's International Award Scheme in "Lady Anne's " hat??

After a drive round Banjul market we headed back via Serrekunda to try and price up some chairs......then it was back to work for some painting, bench mending, teaching and staff development/ training. Shona helped Ros collect information from students about their hobbies. Shona would make an excellent Teaching Assistant! Alex's last training session was lively but there was much noise and  excitment happening in the central yard.  There was a buzz about a certain arrival.......... 

Alex in Action and....

Alex Cumming, the Deputy Director of Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Scotland has been visiting Bakau and the Skills Centre over the past week.  He has done 3 days of training for the local Presidents International Award Field Offices (about 20 people).  Not sure what has been going on but the cheers, whoops and applause sure seem fun.  They all seem to be enjoying it,working hard and contributing very well.

Most of the female members of the group went to visit the SEC International School. It is privately run and has developed from a small junior school to a flourishing high school. The building is very impressive and students had opportunities to study martial arts as well as usual curriculum subjects.  The second floor has been built but not completed yet and the school hopes to develop further attracting good and able students and staff. Back at the Skills Centre Ros did some more teaching of mathematics to the home science students.  They managed to have a lot of fun and do some long multiplication using an easier "grid" method.  There might have been 45/50 students in a dark, hot, dusty classroom but they were really keen to learn -it was very humbling. The students thanked Mrs Ros a lot and loved the number grid and outline of the planned words on the walls of their classroom.

Morven, Emma, Jade, Shona, Mairi all went to a nursery school in the afternoon and had a lot of fun with the little children there with singing and dancing in each class.

Ann continued with her strategic thinking, planning and discussing with feedback to Abdoulie on several topics for the Skills Centre improvement. Chairs were again back on the agenda!

A Busy Day

Tuesday was a busy day.  Ruth visited the Royal Victoria Hospital in Banjul with Gibril Faal to see Dr Jammeh.  She gave training to some of the Doctors and Nurses on Diabetes awareness and treatment.

The rest of the group were invited to visit the Lord Mayor of the local council.  We were welcomed by Mr Sanyang the Chief Executive Officer of the Council.  He personally showed us around various offices and departments at the council centre.  We met the Chief of Police, Head of Finance, Head of IT and several other officials.  We were even allowed in to the local court house.  A number of the employees and officials mentioned that they where previous members of the President's International Award and had attended the skills centre which was good to hear. Several offered their help for the future. At the end of the visit Ann gave a small speech recounting some of the history of the links with the PIA and thanked the CEO for his time.  Ros also spoke and thanked the CEO on behalf of all the current visitors and original Duke of Edinburgh / Presidents award project members.  The Mayor was away on official business for the day but Mr Sanyang made us very welcome and thank you to him and his staff for their time in showing us around. Shona was official photographer for the visit.

The CEOs Office

In the afternoon it was back to work at the skills centre.  Neil, Mark, Emma and a couple of the field offices (but really mostly Neil!) painted the main reception area of the skills centre.  When finished it was a big improvement.

You've missed a bit

And then there were 10.

On Monday Simon, Katarina, Siobahn and John sadly had to return to the freezing UK (Robert and Jennifer left on Saturday) - still lovely and hot here.  The rest of us continued jobs and teaching at the Skills Centre. Ros, Mark, Ruth and Ann went to Serekunda to visit Lye Faal's family compound following an invite from Lye's cousin Gibril. They were very welcoming a cooked a delicious Fish Benechin.  We were introduced to several of Lye's relatives (sisters, cousins) and we all had a good laugh looking at the photos taken in the same compound 25 years earlier.  Thanks to Gibril and the rest of the family for there hospitality.

BBQ at Sid's

On Saturday evening (bit out of order I know) we were all invited to Sid's house for a BBQ.  Finding Sid's house was interesting - he doesn't have an address!.  But he does have a big 3 storey house and had cooked chicken with noodles and chips.  We met Mary's "Special friend" and Solomon cooked extra chicken on the BBQ (well nearly everyone helped cook it - Solomon set it on fire a few times!) - but it was delicious.  Towards the end of the evening Scottish Folk songs broke out and collectively we nearly knew all the words to some of them.  A great fun night.

Master Chef

A Lovely Couple

Cultural Evening: Sunday 5th December

Sunday evening was “Cultural Evening”.  A mixture of Gambian and Scottish Music, Dance, Song and Food.

The evening started with presentations to Abdoulie Bah - for his fantastic efforts and energy over the past 25yrs in developing The Presidents International Award Scheme and developing the Skills Centre.  Presentations were also made to the people who completed the Duke of Edinburgh / Presidents Award Gold standard expedition.  4 days of heat, dust, walking mixed in with great experiences of the local people and culture.  The six were Emma, Jade, Mairi, Maimuna Joof, Binta Danpha and Saidou Jallow.    Alasana and Sadibou also escorted the group so a big thanks to them for their help.  The presentations were made by Alexander Cummings, the Deputy Director of Duke of Edinburgh Scotland who is visiting and providing some training for local field officers.

Next on the agenda was a dance and drama presentation from a local performance group they performed a mixture of traditional and modern dance, song and drama.  At times fast, energetic and fun – at times thought provoking.

Neil, Mary and others did a great job cooking up the meal. Chicken Benechin, Gambian vegetables, Spaghetti Bolognese, Cous Cous, Salad, onions and gravy with specially imported Haggis!  A great combination.

After the food Mairi played a number of Scottish songs on the Violin and piano (talented girl and a photo model – ask Ruth), some accompanied by Andrew on the African drum and his guitar.

Alex and Shona then did a fantastic job getting everyone up and teaching the whole group (maybe 50 people) a selection of Scottish Country Dances, can’t remember what they were called but we finished with Stripping the Willow.  A wonderfully enthusiastic, chaotic, energetic 8 minutes and everyone managed to go down the hall doing it right!

Throughout most of the evening the slideshow was running of pictures from 25 years ago at Penyem and pictures taken by John from the current visit.  Solomon and Sid haven’t changed a bit – same can’t be said for the rest of us (hair loss for some of us!!).  Soloman sorted the music system in true Solomon style!

A quote from Sadibou is: “It was fantastic, interesting, full of Culture and very educational” – couldn’t agree more.

The evening closed with thanks – the visiting Gambian dancers were really elated with learning the Scottish dances and meeting us all.  But of cause this was absolutely wonderful for us….the hard work and jollities continue….

Penyem continued

There were several classes at the school, all well organised and resourced. The teachers had lesson plans and all the equipment and teaching materials were kept in the Dream centre. All the children were taught English and would not leave the school until they had reached a good level in their writing and reading. The primary school is a 2km walk along a hot and dusty road, so the children were only moved to this school when were they considered ready in educational terms and also physically strong enough to make the journey.
At the end of the school day the children were all given a meal.

After the school visit we went back to the hall and presentations were made. Our group gave gifts to the women of the village, educational materials for the school and some photographs from our visit 25years ago. The village elder was interested in the 3 framed enlarged photos which we have left with them. A donation was also made to the village bee project and they in return gave some of the delicious honey.
Once the formal presentations and speeches were made it was on with the party. In the hall Marie and Jane played some traditional Scottish tunes on their fiddles, and Shona and Emma did a belly dance. Outside the villagers danced and danced, dragging us all in the show our dancing skills!
One of the highlights was the slide show and a collection of enlarged photos showing people from the village from 25 years ago. This caused much laughter as people recognised themselves from all those years ago...

Penyem visit 25 years on for many of us!

Yesterday was an AMAZING day! All of us plus several Gambians from The President Award Skills Centre set off to Penyem village.  We had a minibus that Sid organised, the pick up and a car. We travelled about an hour on tarmac roads driving through Brikama.  The market had the same smells as from 25 years ago but it was huge with many many market stalls and obviously a place of much business.
The tarmac road then ran out and we bumped our way along the dusty road to Penyem.  200yds before the village we stopped as the "welcome party" had started!  The drums drummed and the people danced and we " bobbed" our way into the village.  The little children from school met us as well and most of us "Toobabs" had a child holding each finger. This continued for some while as we progressed into the village.  The elder of the village then met us. The dancing then continued and we were given a formal greeting before we had a tour of the village.

The tour was really interesting- we saw the hall where we had our accommodation 25 years ago.  Then it was " Neil's" kitchen which looked remarkably the same.  A eating hall has been developed.  On our way round it was amazing to see the village's development.  They no longer have to collect water from 3km away , they have a few solar panels which power the pump for the water tower and they now have a tap as well as the pump!

The medical centre we built has been improved with the addition of a veranda and the floor had been tiled.  It is now used regularly as a "health post" with a resident retired doctor who is now operational as a nurse. Another room was the Headteacher's office and the school has been built.  It is for 3-8 year olds and 152 children attend from the Penyem and the nearby villages. The classrooms were inspirational with great use of the walls and roof.  They had a lot of artifact up to help the children.  Drawings, numbers, words etc.  Songs and sayings were a big part of their education.....

How's the Snow in the UK?

So far we have spent a day visiting the Presidents International Award Skills Centre, Bakau meeting the main Gambians who are looking after us.
The Skills Centre has a hall which was hired out on Sunday for a Baptism. The young people cooked a meal for the families after the service.
We have seen the participants making furniture, doing motor mechanics and respray of vehicles for who ever bring their cars to be repaired.  There are cooking classes, tailoring, computing, technology theory, etc.

First thing Monday morning Morven, Ruth, Ann, Jenni, Ros and Shona set up the Well women's class. Many issues were brought forward by The Gambian women relating to work and  health.
Simon, Neil and Abass shelved a stock cupboard.  Mark was setting up more computers - power supply for 10 more is being put in today and tomorrow.  Robert and Jenni helped Asmau understand and develop the accounting systems at the Skills Centre.  John ran a photography/camera workshop.  Students were asked to take photos that represent the Gambia for them. Siobhan,Katarina,Ros, Jane and  Shona went to visit a Nursery School and a Secondary Technology School.  "Tobab", "Tobab", "Tobab" at the Nursery School and they all sang "Row, Row, Row the Boat", "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes".  The older class of 6 yr olds were trying to write "My name is ...".  The SOS High School was a very happy place.  500 students  attend in the morning and 500 different students in the afternoon.  It was very interesting - in Technology theory class there were 50 boys and 1 girl.  We visited a year 12 Chemistry class.  2 girls I spoke to both wanted to be nurses.  There are 3 of our British girls doing their Duke of Edinburgh expedition out here.  They walked 8 hrs yesterday starting at 4:30am due to the heat.  They are doing very well under extreme conditions.  They are staying at schools in different villages overnight.  The Mums in our group met the girls at the local village and met the elder of the village.  He granted everyone visiting there the freedom of the village.  We meet them at Penyem on Thursday - we cannot wait to see Penyem after 25 years!
The heat is extreme here -so far away from your icy and snowy conditions.

Photos from 1985

At the Airport

Building Work

1985 Penyem Villagers in front of the "Medical Centre"

helped built by Duke of Edinburgh Award and President Award participants.

What is it all about ?.........

In 1985 I was very fortunate to be part of the first joint post Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and President Award expedition in The Gambia.  20 Brits and 20 President Award Gambian holders helped the village of Penyem build a basic medical centre.  It has mainly been operational over the years and Roddy Ross our leader has been developing many projects with further award groups over the years.  He has been instrumental in the development, building and management of The International President's Award Skills Training Centre at Bakau.

So after 25 years we thought we should celebrate by going to The Gambia again. We hope to revisit Penyem and 8 of the original British expedition participants are being joined by additional  family members who can help!  We hope to be involved in teaching, medical clinics, accounting, artistic workshops, engineering advice and general help in The Skills Centre.

So that is the theory ........watch this space to see what we do.........