April found Phil and Joan back in The Gambia, the main reason being to see the progress of the construction of the goalball court. But they also saw how the pupils were learning to care for the new vegetable garden at the school. Phil reported:

The goalball court was originally entirely funded by the UK Parliamentary Football Team but unfortunately two years passed before the GOVI Board agreed to its construction and where it would be sited. In that time the cost has rocketed and it will require additional funds from the Friends. Lamin Saidy has worked very hard in arranging and organising its construction. (Left: Phil and Lamin checking on the progress of the goal ball court.)

When we inspected the site with him we found that an impressive area had been cleared and the foundations had been completed ready for the installation of reinforced steel and the final covering of concrete. The interior netting and exterior fencing will then be erected. It looked as if the court will be built to Para-Olympics standards.

We found that a kitchen garden was well under way with many of the children helping.  We were fascinated to watch the concentration and pleasure on the face of a blind child as he held a tomato plant with one hand and gently weed round it with the other. We were not sure who was finding the most pleasure. The child attempting to assist with watering with a hose was a bit more erratic and both plants and people nearby were watered.

We were joined at the inspection by Doctors Jenny and Tony Cole. They had previously supported the school and as they were on holiday in the Gambia wished to renew their acquaintance. Whilst walking around the school we saw a pupil with his head on a desk and a few drops of blood on the floor. An examination by Dr Tony Cole revealed a nasty tooth abscess and swollen neck glands. Lamin Saidy was dispatched to the local pharmacy for antibiotics. We were thankful to Dr Tony Cole for his assistance.

All the staff and pupils seemed to be happy and we felt a good ethos generally from the way the school was running. There was a nice surprise on the last day of our visit to find the site had been cleared of all remaining weeds thanks to the Army who had turned up one Saturday morning. We are not sure who arranged this but it may have been someone on the GOVI Board.

A PS from Joan:  If anyone has any unwanted seeds (maybe from the recent seed giveaway by the Daily Mail) do please sent them to David or me. We will make sure they get to the school for the garden.

Below: Drs Tony and Jenny Cole presenting audio recorders for the school to the head teacher, Ali Sallah. Lamin Saidy is behind.