Day 2 at Guide camp - morning

On our 2nd day at Guide camp we had all 100 participants with us. In the morning, we did 'science made fun' which was a variety of practical science sessions. We had 5 zones: Human body, senses, physics, bones, chemistry. The girls had 30 minutes in each zone to try all the activities.

Human body zone - learning about blood

Bones zone - our skeleton (Boris!)

Senses zone

Chemistry - exploding film canisters

Chemistry

Bones zone

Human body zone - making inflatable lungs

Physics zone - circuit boards

First day at Guide camp

We spent the afternoon at Guide camp - initially with the Guides from Gunjur. Throughout the afternoon Guides from all over the west coast of Gambia arrived to join.  We ran first aid sessions - we taught CPR, the recovery position, minor injuries, bandages & slings.

Isobel explaining the recovery position

Millie demonstrating CPR

Guide leaders collecting firewood

Camp catering arrives

Gunjur Scout band plays to welcome us

Cultural morning

We spent the morning at Tanje cultural museum. We saw lots of displays about Gambian flora, fauna, weaving, early life, crafts and music.

Resources!

We've unpacked and sorted the 9 large suitcases of resources that we brought with us - some for the sessions we'll be running & some donations.

There are too many things to list, but it includes over 100 pairs of sunglasses to help with eye conditions, 32 first aid kits, lots of first aid supplies, toothpaste and over 500 toothbrushes!

Our Gambian guide Alagi was like a child on Christmas morning when he walked up and down the tables looking at what we'd brought!

We can't wait to get started tomorrow, which will be with 100 girl guides from all over the west coast of Gambia.

Toothbrushes & toothpaste

First aid kits

Cultural day

We had a lovely morning wandering around 'Wide Open Walls' which is a group of villages that various artists have visited and painted murals on the houses. We were joined / followed by a throng of local children, all keen to hold our hands and be our friends.

We then went on to see a beautiful lake, where there were hundreds of tiny crabs running around on the shore. We saw local people preparing and cooking oysters.

Our next stop was Lamin Lodge, a restaurant/ bar in a more touristy area. It's frequented by a number of very cheeky monkeys who entertained us leaping around and hoping to steal our drinks!

The final stop was Brikama, a bustling and busy town around 1/2 hour from where we are living. We went to the craft market where everyone enjoyed practicing their bartering skills to buy souvenirs. Some of us also bought material which the tailor has taken away this evening to make into Gambi-pants.

We're just settling down to listen to a local band now for the rest of the evening.

Wide open walls project

Wide open walls project

Wide open walls project

Wide open walls project

Wide open walls project

Peaceful and beautiful river

Hundreds of tiny crabs running arond

Beautiful river

Piles of oyster shells

Lamin Lodge

Lamin Lodge

Acclimatising

After we'd unpacked and settled in a little, we went for a walk through the local fishing village & along the beach. We saw all the brightly coloured fishing boats, as well as thousands of fish drying in the sun. We went into a smoke house and saw the various stages of the smoking process.

We're off!

We are just boarding the plane at Manchester!