For Whom The Bell Tolls

Our summer camp is free for the children and they also get free lunch every day, because the volunteers raised money before coming here. I remember lunch time while I was volunteering in a Slovenian kindergarten. The kids were very picky, someone refused to eat vegetables, the other never eats soup, some refuse to eat anything at all. We threw so much food away. It's a completely different story here in the Gambia. 

The bell rings for main break and the children run out of the classroom with smiles on their faces and expectation in their eyes. Food. It's precious in this country, something to be treasured. An average Gambian family will usually have one big meal in the afternoon, if they can afford it, maybe breakfast too. They eat rice every day, it's a staple ingredient, with different sauces, maybe meat on special occasions. I've never heard anyone say here that they don't like something to eat. There are no vegetarians or vegans as well.  It's  usually served in a communal dish from which they eat with their hands. Families always eat together, nobody is left out, everyone is taken care of. People look after each other, even if it means they will go without for that day. The children eat everything and after that, they look longingly at our plates (the volunteers get their own plate and a spoon).

 During the school year, only those who have sponsors or whose parents can afford it, eat school lunch, the rest go without. It puts the Western world's pickyness to shame. The children's looks every time they pass by us when we are eating break my heart. And it makes me angry at kids at our schools who refuse to eat things because they happen not to like them. They've never experienced real hunger, because they have too much to choose from. During the summer camp, it's all thanks to donations.

I think people are not aware what a big effect their money has on the lives of people we help here. Especially the sponsorships, 17 Euros per month for one child and the school fee 45 Euros once a year. It's not that much money in the Western world, something you would spend on clothes, makeup or coffee, but here it's a matter of a better future. I wish more people had a chance to see that their donation is making a direct impact on a child's life, because a lot of kids would be unable to attend school otherwise and nobody could teach them at home as the parents are often illiterate and not all speak English. 

The literacy rate in Gambia is 43%. Being able to read and write and speak English gives someone a head start. Going to school is precious here. The children are proud to attend and they would go even during the weekends if it was possible. The worst possible punishment is being sent home and teachers are one of the most respected members of community. Parents often look for their advice after school hours and nobody says that their Special Little Snowflake is different or wouldn't do something. They will always side with the teachers and punish they children for misbehaving when they come home. There is no permissive parenting here. 

Sponsorhips for the children: http://zaotrokesveta.com/postani-boter/kako-postanes-boter/

Free school lunch: http://zaotrokesveta.com/5e-na-mesec-za-dnevni-obrok/