The cloud of volcanic ash from Iceland meant that four of the trustees (David Pointon, Joan and Phil Feller and Pip Land) were unable to visit the Gambia together in April. Instead Joan and Phil were able to go in May.

One of the most important reasons for the journey was to attend a meeting chaired by the Permanent Secretary of Education, Mr Baboucarr Boye, at which many of the problems between the Friends of Govi and the GOVI Board were resolved. Among those at the meeting were 11 members and one retired member of the GOVI Board,and those from the government’s Integrated Education Programme (IEP): Mr Sannah who is now the Deputy Permanent Secretary, and Mr Sarjo Bajinka.

At the annual general meeting of the Friends of Govi (UK) held on March 6 it was unanimously agreed that David Pointon should take over as chair person from Phil Feller. Four of the trustees will visit the Gambia in late April.

The Dales Team came back with many memories of their overland journey and their time in the Gambia, and especially at the school for the blind. Below: from left to right - Ali Sallah (head teacher),David Milner, Janet Hughes, Bob Hughes, Sarjo Bajinka (former head teacher), Ken Nicholas and David Pointon.

The abacus made by students at Breckenbrough School particularly fascinated many of the teachers who attended the two-day training course led by David Pointon.

The teachers as well as the children enjoyed all those toys delivered by the Dales Team. But whereas the children could just have fun, the teachers had to learn  how to make the best of some of those toys in their lessons.