Groups & Youth Links
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Hazel Mayamba-Kasongo, Youth Service Manager,
The aim of the Gunjur Project is to provide an educational experience for young people from the developed world by providing them with an opportunity to come together with their peers in The Gambia. In a society, which is closely connected with the rest of the world through food, work, clothes, sport, tv and the internet there is no denying that globalisation has an impact on the lives of all our young people. The life changing opportunity we are offering will widen their understanding, will enable their intercultural learning, challenge their stereotypes, helping them to develop skills that will have a positive effect on their personal and social development and help to improve their employability thus encouraging them to take their places as responsible global citizens of the 21st century.
We aim to encourage our visitors to come prepared to offer Gambian young people opportunities of learning either from shared experience, peer education or more tangible help with educational resources. For example visitors who wish to undertake environmental projects can be linked with environmental groups in Gambia and between them they can make a real difference. Sports orientated visitors will be linked with students in Gambia who wish to improve their sports skills. The list is endless. By linking into specific parts of the community our visitors are sure of making a difference and we guarantee this Gambian adventure will leave all our young visitors with a new perspective on life. There are always opportunities for the group to learn African musical instruments and traditional African dance, after all music is at the heart of Gambia.
‘The young people have gained confidence, awareness and an appreciation of their own lives. – JOB DONE!!! It has been a positive experience for all – as a worker it has been a pleasure to support the young people through their journey, one that both the young people and myself will never forget’! Jaime Dare Youth Worker and group leader.
Assistance in preparing your group
Some of the Gunjur Project team will be based in the UK between the months of July to October and within this time we can offer personal support to you and your groups. We can develop a package for the support that you require in order to prepare your group. With presentations, discussion sessions, drumming workshops and support for you in developing a suitable programme of activities that meets you and your groups aspirations.
Risk Assessments
The Gunjur Project has conducted thorough risk assessments for the residential site as well as all projects that the visiting group will be involved with. We manage risk carefully, without diminishing the experience for the students. We have an emergency management system in place as well as 24-hour on call Doctor
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Previous groups
Previous groups have engaged with and received warm welcomes from schools, organisations and local host families. The groups listed below give a flavour of the type of experiences that we can offer.
MAKKA - SUTU drum band from Chester had been fund raising for people in The Gambia for 2 years, indeed they were part of the inspiration to found Gunjur Project. The group played a major role in shipping the first container of educational resources to the Gambia, which is no mean feat. They came to Gambia to see how the money they raised was spent and to present items from the container to the local community groups. They and their workers drummed up enough sponsorship to undertake their Gambian adventure and they spent the rest of their week adventuring and interacting with their peers.. We can honestly say they had the experience of a lifetime
‘Thanks for having us all here & giving us the opportunity to see this amazing country. It’s been an incredible trip and I will never forget this as it has changed my life. I hope the things ‘ve learnt will stick with me.’
Sian Evans aged 17
AIDA was a group made up of ambassadors from four West Cheshire schools and representatives from Cheshire’s Youth Parliament. The school ambassadors successfully opened links with ‘twin’ schools in The Gambia. They were given a particularly warm welcome from their ‘host’ schools and were delighted to see drama performances and join with their Gambian peers singing and dancing. The group of young people didn’t know each other before this trip but really gelled as a team and worked incredibly hard for their schools and their County. They had raised the money for the trip themselves supplemented by contributions from their schools.
‘I don’t know how to sum up this whole experience in just a little paragraph. It has changed me and my outlook on life. Never have I met such warm people. You will be in my heart and never forgotten’
Frances Massie aged 16
PEOPLE IN ACTION & THE HANS PETRI SCHOOL – our first international youth group came from Holland and they already had links with The Gambia. They came to help with the building a nursery school in Kiti – and every day they went out working with the local people digging, making blocks, mixing concrete. They worked very hard and we were very impressed with the group and their hard work.
‘Your fantastic attention to detail and tolerance for the boys made us very at our ease. Your presence itself is an invitation for coming back and that is what we surely will do.’
Peter DeKuijper Teacher @ Hans Petri School
THE DELTA CENTRE youth club in Blacon, Chester sent an all girls group and these girls came to play football, they spent the week playing matches and passing on their skills in training sessions. The girls brought an educational DVD in which they explained the rules and conduct of the game. These girls were a great hit with their peers, who were delighted with the donated kits and training opportunity, and called their new team the Delta team.! The Delta team is still playing in The Gambia so the legacy of this trip lives on!! A great week.
‘Thank you to everyone for such a brill week. I have had a fab time. I have learnt so much about myself and this trip will change how I live the rest of my life. Thank you again for the life changing experience. Hopefully I will be back soon. Thanks again.
Kate Tasker age 16.
BYPP (Building Young Peoples Potential) from Chester sent a group of young parents and peer educators. They worked together to run workshops and decorate a classroom in a local primary school. They worked with the children in the school, giving them an unforgettable week.
‘You’ve really helped me see a path in my life, at a time when I think I was straying to the left or right.’
Felix Dempsey Age 18
NG2G (Neston goes to Gambia) came with a specific remit, to fact-find for an educational resource pack they were going to create for younger people in their town, the pack will be used in primary schools and kids clubs. They interacted and interviewed Gambians; they used video footage of their town to show young Gambians what life is like in Neston. They collected lots of information and evidence for their pack. They also went on excursions and environmental projects. They got a real feel of what it is like to live in a developing country and became global citizens
This week has been one the most amazing times in my life. I have memories I will never forget. Everyone has been so friendly and I have felt so welcome. I feel honoured to have been given this experience thank you’
Kerry-Anne Plested aged 16
WALC GROUP from London sent a group in November 2008 who were in the NEET group (not in education employment or training). They worked in a local senior secondary school and using photography as the medium they explored the issue of identity and culture. This trip was so successful they put on an exhibition in the Tate gallery and most of the young people engaged in some form of training on their return. In April 2009 WALC sent a second group.
‘Words cannot explain how much you all mean to me. . . . you have helped me in so many ways and I will hold that in my heart for all eternity . . thank you for having me and everything you have done to help me change my life for good. I am going to college to do photography and retake my GCSE’s’
FRIDAY NIGHT FEVER from Ellesmere Port were a group of young sports volunteers who came to deliver sports training. They worked in the community planning different schedules for the groups they were working with at the nursery school, the senior school and the community sports academy. They worked hard and the schools benefited again when the group left the equipment with instructions and guidance on its use.
‘The young people have changed before our eyes and we are so proud’
Michelle Aspden Sports development officer Ellesmere Port.
‘No words could ever say how incredible this trip has been to me. I have made new best friends and I could stay here for the rest of my life. The Gunjur Project has changed my life …. And this will be told to my children and grandchildren for years to come’
Rates
| Groups | 1 week | Per Person |
| Including airport transfers in Gambia, lodging, trips, food (breakfast, sandwich lunch & dinner), group activities, youth links, daily evaluation, group leader support, 24 hour care, assistance with making itinary (before and during stay) | 350 GBP (all prices are negotiable) | |
| Minimum: 6 Maximum: 20 |