We were thrilled to hear about the appointment of Ali Sallah as head teacher of the resource base (school). We wish him success and are confident that the children and the school will make good progress.

Ali told us: "Hope that this time round when you come there shall be a more intensive training for the staff as we missed very much such trainings since last time David conducted one with us." So David is working on including this into the programme when the latest Dales Team reaches the Gambia in late January 2010.

Ali reported that he is still limping following the motorcycle accident he had last year. He was one of the itinerant (peripatetic) teachers at the school. The former head teacher, Sarjo Bajinka, has been transferred to the government's Special Needs Education Department.

Lamin Saidy has been doing some research ready for the arrival of the Dales Team, including  making contact with a local Rotary club. The Dales Team this time includes three members of the Rotary Club of Wensleydale.

Lamin has also followed up a request from a child sponsor. The sponsor was concerned about the little girl he sponsors as he had heard she was very ill. Even though he did not have an address Lamin located the family and found that the girl had a bad bout of malaria. Phil Feller asked him to buy the necessary medicines and we understand that she is now much better.