In our very first issue we highlighted the superb work some of the guys at Darwen Spartans were doing in Gambia. They were raising funds to go out in January and take not only football equipment but also educational material. Here is a look at how they got on...
Many thanks to everyone who helped and supported this trip understood its meaning and why we did it. As a club to be involved with something worthy as well as our own club is a privilege, every member of the group represented both the club and Darwen and carried themselves with respect and dignity, worked hard and was certainly affected by the trip and its goals. From a small camp-site based in Sinnotuku the group visited schools and villages handing out kits, equipment and carried out work. Trenches were dug for the school foundations in Cheesay, Bricks handmade and foundations were laid, New steps laid to the village roundhouses, Games arranged with local teams, Work was also continued on the developing medical centre, Educational visits to schools teaching games and basic lessons to the younger pupils whilst the older ones participated in football coaching and matches, Matches held against the local police saw the first football victory for an English team, Involvement in teaching basic medicine and first aid was demonstrated to villages, Involving the villagers in the work etc means they can continue were we left off and make progress, Meetings with village elders in Cheesay and Lamin to learn about council procedures and also pursue the twinning process were held, Our aim is to continue this work with Football Gambia and involve more citizens of Darwen each year, plans are now firmly laid to install Irrigation to the vegetable garden, solar panels for the medical centre, pitch marking and hopefully laptops for the medical centre, this is already underway and materials are being sourced and delivered to containers in London for shipment next January. A ceremony will be held to bring our two towns together which will enhance the profile of Darwen and its community projects especially when fundraising events are held. Cultural exchange will also mean we can learn from them as they learn from us. It is fitting this twinning takes place as Gambia was once part of the colonial empire and now we can rekindle our relationship. Those who participate come back with a different but more positive attitude to life its problems and hardships, as well as a determination to be more active within our own community, through voluntary work and education. One of our managers is now to do presentations at schools which can only educate our children and hopefully bring about a more caring society in the future. Darwen should be proud it has individuals in its community willing to go beyond the boundaries of normality to help those in need, work for others without reward and come away as better suited individuals who are prepared to then go into our own community and share the experience as well as carry out voluntary work. Making our own community a better place to live and learn.
Handing out gifts to the schoolchildren at Sittonunku, these consisted of small badges, flags, stickers etc, they thought Christmas had come again for them.
The team posing after first English win an d over the local police. Kits and equipment were handed out afterwards.
Kits handed out to the older students at Somme school; all kits are collected by volunteers and sent to London for shipping out via Football Gambia.
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