As I was researching The Gambia before leaving Oregon, I discovered that children’s books would be appreciated. I wasn’t sure how I would incorporate children’s books into my service as an agriculture volunteer, but I figured an opportunity would present itself. I asked, Carol Christ who is a coordinator for SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) an elementary school program I was volunteering with, to help me select… ....READ MORE | 3 Comments
My host mother, Fatou Dibba, was very excited to have her family together for the 2018 Gamo in Farafenni. Relatives from Kombo began arriving on Thursday, to be here for Friday prayers, and the Gamo on Saturday April 7. Gamo is an annual event that brings together Muslims from all walks of life for religious discourse and prayers. Huge crowds gather at Mosques to listen to recitations of the… ....READ MORE | 3 Comments
At the completion of training, we were driven to Soma, where we could get transportation to our various destinations. This was the first time I had made the river crossing solo, and although I was a bit apprehensive, I discovered my senior status was an advantage. I needed to take a jele-jele from Soma to the ferry, and then another jele-jele into Farafenni from the ferry… ....READ MORE | 9 Comments
The final week of IST (In Service Training) was packed full of events. One highlight was being able to visit my training village and spend time with my first host family. This compound has hosted many previous trainees, and I was very fortunate to have lived with such a warm and loving family. They allowed me the space to find my comfort zone in a… ....READ MORE | 2 Comments
The twenty agriculture volunteers stayed at the Peace Corps transit house in Kombo at the beginning of IST (in-service training) while we attended bee school, then we traveled to Massembeh for the rest of our classes. The 3 weeks of IST were focused on developing techniques to be successful working with our counterparts and communities during our time in service.
The Gambia is the fourth… ....READ MORE | 4 Comments
The first two days of the three weeks of in-service training were devoted to beekeeping at Komoo Kunda Bee Farm. This facility was originally started by a Norwegian music school over 30 years ago, and the buildings are all very unique. About a decade ago, the music school closed due to poor relations with the former government… ....READ MORE | 4 Comments
For the last three months, I have been required to stay in my permanent site for the community entry period. Finally that time was up. Prior to three weeks of more training in Massembeh, 19 North Bank PCVs, traveled to Janick Island for the quarterly regional VAC (Volunteer Advocacy Council) meeting. It was wonderful to get away from Farafenni
Mission Statement
The Peace Corps Gender and Development (GAD) committee will act as a coordination and facilitation team, to utilize volunteers and Gambian counterparts, to promote gender equality in The Gambia, by providing support and resources.
February was GAD month, and kicked off with a Bush to Beach Biking Marathon. It began in the eastern part of the country – the bush, and… ....READ MORE | 7 Comments
There are almost 7000 Peace Corps volunteers serving currently, in more than 60 countries around the world. To be a PCV you must be a US citizen, and at least 18 years old. Peace Corps was started in March 1961, when JFK was President, and over 220,000 people have served since the program began. A volunteer serves in one of 6… ....READ MORE | 4 Comments
My host family here in Farafenni consists of my mom Fatou Dibba, her daughter Fatou Manne, granddaughter Fatima, granddaughter Arohee, and grandson Mustapha. The terminology Peace Corps uses for our host families is more appropriate for a recent college graduate (the majority of PCVs), than a senior citizen like me. Fatou Dibba travels frequently to Kombo, where her husband, older children, and more grandchildren live. Fatou… ....READ MORE | 6 Comments