FINAL EXTRACT FROM A VOLUNTEER'S DIARY

The weekend back on the South Bank

Having flown all the way to Gambia, we did not simply want to spend our last two days in the country sitting by a pool or on a beach which could have been in any number of locations around the world.  Both Sarjor and Karamo are qualified tourist guides so we decided to cram in as much as possible over the weekend.

The 'holiday' part of our trip is probably of limited interest, but I decided to include a brief account of how we spent those two days just to give you an idea of what there is to do in Gambia if you are considering a trip to see your sponsored child or perhaps volunteering at a HELPING project but still want a holiday while you are out there.  For example, we met a retired British couple who were in Gambia for a month, spending two weeks volunteering and two weeks as holidays.

With Karamo as our guide, we used local transport in the form of shared taxis and bush taxis (minibuses) to visit Katchikally sacred crocodile pool where we were able to pet the well-fed crocs. Then on to Makasutu Forest, a conservation area where I rode in a pirogue down the bolong to see the mangroves.  The same day, we managed to visit Brikama and Serekunda markets to buy fabrics.

The following day, Karamo had arranged a local bird guide to take me around Abuko Nature Reserve which was well worth the money as I would never have spotted so many different species without his help.

By having Karamo as our guide, we saved a fortune on tourist excursions and really enjoyed escaping the tourist trap of air-conditioned coaches and being 'allowed' fixed times at each place.  We felt that even our 'tourist' days had been a taste of the true Gambia.  

We did managed to squeeze in an afternoon of sun before spending our last evening with Chris and Margaret.

I would highly recommend anyone to visit a HELPING project as a volunteer.  No, you won't get hotel-standard accommodation and familiar food and there might be the odd insect (although neither of us had a single mosquito bite) but you can have a fantastic experience.  Everyone we met was incredibly friendly and helpful. The Gambian people may have very little but whatever they have, they insist on sharing with you and they were genuinely happy and grateful to have our help in their school, albeit only for a couple of days.