Catholic Ethos

Gambia

TUJERENG/HERTFORDSHIRE LINK

Do you have any Sports equipment and clothing that you no longer need?

Over the last 11 years we have done our best to make a contribution to the lives of people in our Link village of Tujereng in The Gambia, which is the smallest country in Africa. It lies on the west coast of Africa, surrounded on three sides by the country of Senegal with the fourth side open to the Atlantic Ocean. The village of Tujereng is in the Kombo South area of The Gambia and is home to around 7,000 people.

Background to the Link

The Link between Nicholas Breakspear and Tujereng village has been in existence since 1995. People from the nursing profession, education and the pharmaceutical industry have visited Tujereng with the Link and the whole village community has benefitted. The aim of this project has always been to develop a sustainable partnership where both parties gain social, cultural and practical experience. There is a wealth of experience, which can be shared in both communities.

Link Projects

In the first year of the Link, a new toilet block was built for the school and this was opened with due ceremony in October 1996.

Since then the following projects have been completed:

A new classroom block in the school.
The building of a new school wall to keep unwanted visitors (and animals) out.
A library has been set up in a room within the school, which is beneficial to the whole village. This is equipped with a wide range of books, which have been sent from England. A rota is in operation to allow all the classes in the school to come in for a library period to change their books, which is very popular with the children. Adults are also using the library regularly, both to change books and to sit and read quietly. Teachers in the school use the library for meetings and workshops.
Blackboards: each classroom in the school has been supplied with a new blackboard made by local carpenters. Previously some of the classrooms were using an area of black paint on the rough wall of the classroom.
Buckets & soap for each classroom in the school so pupils can wash their hands before eating.
Buckets for drinking water for each classroom.
Stationery and basic medical items are supplied on a regular basis.

Work is currently underway on a huge project to build a new kitchen and dining hall at Tujereng school. This is vital for the health and well-being of the children as the old dining hall was unusable. The cost of such a large project is in the region of £15,000. The old dining hall has been demolished and the walls of the new one constructed, but it will take several years to complete, especially as we want to continue to fund smaller projects as and when they arise. During our trip in February 2007 we were able to fund the roof supports. Thank you very much to all students, staff and parents who have contributed to our fund raising efforts.

The provision of school furniture in the classrooms is an ongoing need. We have provided some new furniture and money to repair others. However, Students are still sitting three or four instead of two to a desk, so more new furniture is needed.

Good health is seen as being of great importance in the village, as it has always been stated that a sick child cannot learn. The learning that takes place in school is then taken home and shared with the family. The main health problems are malaria (often 7 children are sent home from school each day suffering from malaria), stomach problems, infected cuts, fungal skin infections and chesty coughs. In addition to this a very large number of people suffer from "body pain" due to strenuous physical work in the fields. We have implemented a Primary Healthcare Programme in the village via the nurses involved with the Link.

Several other projects are under review, but whatever is planned for the future, there is always an ongoing need for the following items:

basic medicines - paracetamol, antiseptic cream, plasters, bandages, anti-fungal creams, diarrhoea remedies, creams for muscular pain etc.
second hand reading glasses.
basic school materials - exercise books, paper, pencils, pens, rubbers, crayons etc.
t-shirts, shoes, candles, soap, second-hand books (particularly information and reference).

Tujereng Village has become part of our families at Nicholas Breakspear. Knowledge and understanding of people from another culture promotes mutual respect, but also serves to highlight that we are actually very similar. Children in The Gambia love football and music as much as children here do - it's just sometimes harder to get the footballs and music tapes!

In March 2003 we welcomed three visitors from Tujereng into school. They took part in assemblies and lessons, teaching pupils about the Link and about batik, drumming and African life. This was a unique opportunity forour school community - staff and students - to hear first-hand how the Link has helped the people of Tujereng.

We had another successful trip to Tujereng during February half term 2007, when the largest ever group (33 people) took part in a week-long visit. We had a varied programme for the week including visits to the capital city of Banjul, a batik factory in Serrekunda, the fishing village of Tanji and a craft market in Brikama. We spent a lot of time in Tujereng visiting the nursery school and teaching the children to wash their hands, visiting the primary school and meeting with young mothers explaining how to mix rehydration solution for their babies in case of diarrhoea, which can literally save their lives. The majority of the visitors were there for the first time so experience something of a culture shock, but everyone really enjoyed themselves. One new visitor said "it was like jumping into a picture, as in the film Mary Poppins!" Other comments from first-time visitors included "the accommodation was better than I expected and my host family were very welcoming and supportive". "I enjoyed the visit and would very much like to be able to go again". "I think the people of Tujereng could teach us more than we could teach them when it comes to getting pleasure from the simple things in life. What a joy it was to be surrounded by so many well-behaved and happy children (not forgetting the grown-ups also)". "I hope that I will always be able to keep undated on the progress in Tujereng and especially be able to keep in touch with my lovely host family. It is great to now be part of the Link and know that the support given to Tujereng is greatly appreciated". "The experience I had in Tujereng was priceless". We were able to fund the next stage of the new dining hall and kitchen at Tujereng primary school and the roof should soon be on.

Your contribution to the Link really can make a difference to the people in one small part of Africa.

If you would like to help in any way or, indeed, visit Tujereng yourself please contact Jean Day at the school.