I’ve went to
Gambia for two months, through the
Slovenian association Kids are the World, where I was volunteering at a local kindergarten. I’ve discovered the association by chance, while browsing the web and decided to contact them right away. I’ve gotten all the needed information right away and decided to book an airplane ticket. It was still two months before my departure date, I’ve decided to organize a charity at the local kindergarten called: “The tree of life for the children around the world.” The purpose was for the children from Slovenia to present their toys, colours, books, notebooks… things I knew would come in handy to the children of Gambia. It was a successful action and after many dry runs of packing, the day of my journey finally came.
Getting to the airport in Venice was long and the two flights to Banjul seemed endless. It was a night flight, but I was full of expectations and thinking about new experiences, so I never slept a wink. My thoughts have already escaped off to Africa. My first trip to the dark continent. Finally I’ve gotten through the customs, where I had no bigger problems. I took my jam packed suitcase of school things for children and stepped outside to breathe in some warm Gambian air. I never had a bigger cultural shock in my life – I really wasn’t prepared for it. I was pleasantly surprised by the confidence of the natives, who were starting to encircle me and every one of them wanted to talk to me. Welcome to Gambia – the smiling country of Western Africa!
I’ve spent the first day exploring and getting to know the surroundings. Everywhere I’ve seen smiling people, happy to greet you and streets full of cars, especially taxis, honking all the way, to attract your attention and get you to drive in them. Every few meters there are stands, where local women are convincing you to buy their food, fruit and vegetables. It was then I finally realized just how unforgettable these two months will be!
The taxi took us to the part of the city with the kindergarten, but it just dropped us off, because the road up ahead was unpassable. The humble and small houses without windows or doors, dirty “sandy” streets full of litter, stench from all sides and local children, who want to touch you by all means – yes, this was too, one of the bigger cultural shocks! And then I entered the kindergarten. Happy and smiling faces of children, who accepted us with enthusiasm and started greeting us. All of them wanted attention and they occupied us to such an extent, we couldn’t handle them all. For a welcome, they sang us their traditional song and danced the traditional dance.
After seeing the school, we quickly realized that the classes were dirty, chairs and tables mostly broken, too many children in classes and mostly no electricity. The water was kept in larger buckets, which the school attendant brought in daily. They love going to school and every morning they were enthusiastically greeting us – volunteers. They could hardly wait for class to begin, so they’d see if today we’d dance, learn a new song, draw, colour or make cut-outs. Despite all the shortcomings, you can see the content, happiness, joy and mischief in the eyes of the little ones. I immediately realized these children don’t need much to be happy. A colouring book, now set of crayons or a bit of candy can make them immensely happy.
After a fortnight I already got into the relaxed Gambian lifestyle. At school I got used to teaching children, greeting every passing by local became a habit, visiting the local market, walking along the long sand beach and enjoying freshly squeezed smoothies from mango and papaya, which became a daily routine. The life in Gambia is so simple!
We’ve spent the days off to explore the surrounding area. Among other things we also went to the village of Bakau, where we saw the crocodile poo, the Kachikally Crocodile Pool. Upon arrival I saw a big green pond with motionless crocodiles along it. They seemed like they were made out of plastic. It was only after I’ve touched a crocodile I’ve realized that it was a real live one! This trip to Barra will stay with me forever as the most incredible memory of my stay. Already the arrival to the village was special. »You’ll see, when a strong local ma carries you on the shoulders through water to the boat,” they’ve told us, to make us ready – and so it was! Reaching the sore strong local people awaited us. When they saw us, they gathered around us to offer their services to carry us to the boats. Through the chaos and in hope to stay dry on the way to the boat, I managed to sneak a peek northward, towards the sea where the boats were. It was then I wished and hoped to remain dry all the way. The boats were old and beaten up. The worries were too much, for the ride was smooth and uneventful. »Today the sea was calm, it’s usually rougher« whispered the man sitting in front of me.
Upon arriving to Barra, we walked along the village. The poverty was even more obvious here. During the relaxed walk along the beach they took us to the other side of the village, to show us their dump. The huge heap of rubbish, uncanny smell and a wild boar now and there searching for food were another great shock for me. At that point I got really grateful to live back home. Yet the people here are very happy. The local children are laughing and playing. Everybody accepted us with open arms and prepared their traditional food for us »Benachin«. They’ve climbed the palms and offered us fresh coconut milk. The way back was more or less the same as the way to the island, but the boat had an additional passenger. Among us tourists, there was a goat!
Gambia is a wonderful country, with a lot to offer. The people are really open. »We all have the same colour,« said a man I’ve met there and befriended. They’ll invite you to the street corner, where they usually spend their time and share their green tea »Attaya« with you. At the same time they’re also playing their traditional drums »djembe«. It’s a simply and humble way of life, but with a smile on the face, which is the feature showing how happy they are. They know they are poor, but they don’t let that upset them. I’ve learned a lot during my two month stay in Gambia, among other, also a very important lesson: you don’t need much for a smiling heart!
