Farewell to Medina Sancha School

We set out at 7.30a.m. just as a downpour started. We had been hoping that the rains would hold off for a few more days, as access to Medina Sancha is by the South Road which is still sand for a considerable stretch. Our fears were groundless as it turned out because the rain, although heavy, did not last long and actually helped firm up the road surface.

Medina Sancha village lies at the end of a single sandy track, south of Kiaf, almost at the southern Gambian border with Senegal.  The drive took almost 4 hours and as we swerved and bumped along we could eventually make out, along the horizon, a line of huts to the right and school buildings to the left. Lamin was first to notice the straggling green line in front of the school. “The children have come out to greet you” he said.  He was right.

This was a sight I shall never forget.

The youngest children at the end of the welcome line

As we got out of the car, the children started singing and clapping a welcome.  Alieu Bouy, the young headmaster, strode forward to welcome us, his big smile splitting his face. The tiredness of his heavy workload showed on his face but his passion for the school, as always, lit up his eyes.

We walked along the “welcome” line, talking with bemused children who had not yet mastered English; Lamin assumed the role of gift bearer and Sarah that of photographer.  At the end we met the Alkalo  (the head of the village),  the equivalent of the Chair of Governors, Ustas which the title given to the Islamic teacher and  finally the Mothers’ Club.

After this warm welcome we gathered in a natural weave external room, the ultimate in demountable classrooms. This was the ECD (Early Years) class, but instead of the tiniest bodies, it was filled to capacity with the largest: parents and villagers. At the front were a line of chairs that signaled this was going to be a far more formal occasion than I had anticipated.  

Ustas,Chairman, Alkalo, me, Alieu with children

There were three speeches:  Mr Bouy’s, Alkalo’s and mine, during which we exchanged gifts, handshakes and laughter. Mr Bouy had to act as translator too and he did very well until I praised him as a wonderful leader, ideal to take his young charges into the future. “I can’t say that”, he said. When I told him to do as he was told, the villagers got the message without need of translation, and responded with applause. They think the world of him! Quite right!

I was the first to receive a gift. Laughter quickly broke out again as Mr Bouy could not resist helping me undo the shiny parcel. Inside was a tie die dress and wrapper skirt which were just my colours, if not quite my size!

The most obvious things I presented in return were large plastic boxes, a lidded bucket and a woven plastic carpet. These are all things I bought for myself when I came out last September, the carpet brightened the sitting rooms of both my homes and the boxes have made useful rodent proof storage for food and clothes. Now that I am leaving it is time to pass them on. The boxes contained useful bits and pieces for the ECD class: a ream of paper, card, pencils, glue, felt pens, blu tack, sticky backed plastic etc. I had also made a long concertina book, telling the story of a child growing up in an African village.

My second gift was not new either, having been pre-loved as is the saying these days. It was the reconditioned laptop donated by a Head teacher friend when I holidayed at home in February.  Originally this was intended for another head teacher but these plans were thwarted by the generous gift of a brand new one from an English university.

Mr Bouy was absolutely thrilled with this surprise gift. His archaic model became unusable some months ago and this more powerful, compact one will make his life so much easier. 
However there was another gift : a donation of 50,000 Dalasis.

A similar tank

This wonderful sum was raised through promises from friends back in the UK to support the water project for the school.  Thank you all so much. I do so hope you are as delighted as I am with the outcome. This will have an enormous impact in this extremely poor district, improving both pupil welfare and education.

Although not finished yet much progress has been made and the bore hole has been dug, inside the school perimeter fence, going down nearly 80 feet.  The money raised by us will erect a tall tower with a tank on the top, so that pupils can draw the water off by tap. This is quick, supporting hygienic practices and is also so much safer than a well. 
My intention had been to leave something here in memory of my late husband Keith. This project seemed ideal as all throughout our long marriage Keith’s hobby was plumbing  both in the house and outside in the garden..  Alieu Bouy knew all this and had a surprise in store for me.  

He led me over to the school fence and as I watched he planted a line of mango trees dedicated to Keith, on either side of the bore hole. In only two years they will provide the children with shade and delicious fruit, all thriving due to the new water supply.

Over these ten months I have often thought of how much Keith would have wanted me to stay safely tucked up at home. In fact his wonderful brothers: Les and Rob have often reminded me of what his views would have been.  

But I know they will understand now.  







People like Alieu and the community at Medina Sancha deserve our help. They are truly remarkable, determinedly overcoming the odds to improve the lives and futures of children.