by Nic Earls | Mar 6, 2026 | Uncategorized
Day 6 in the Gambia started with breakfast where students were fuelled up with enthusiasm, knowing that a very important event lay ahead: Sports Day.
Miss Seleshe got everyone in a team huddle and briefed the Earls students for the chaos to come.
Later that morning we headed to the venue where Omega School faced off against The Spring of Life School. The stage was set for a series of fiercely contested events including classics such as ball over head, bean bag relay, jumping with a ball between legs, 100m sprint, and the ever-chaotic 100m relay.
As with any great sporting spectacle, there were moments of incredible athleticism and a few moments of creative rule interpretation. Let’s just say that at times the rulebook may have been treated more as a suggestion, than a strict guideline. This only added to the excitement and showed just how competitive everyone was feeling.
The Earls students played a brilliant role throughout the morning, helping to organise teams, lead their groups, and even stepping up as event officials. Whistles were blown, decisions were made, and (mostly) respected by the competitors. It was fantastic to see them taking responsibility and helping the day run smoothly.
After all the running, jumping, throwing and enthusiastic debating of rules, the results were finally in. Despite the heroic efforts from everyone involved, Omega School emerged victorious!
Following the morning’s sporting drama, lunch at 12:30pm was very welcome. After refuelling, it was back to work for the final day of painting at Omega’s new School. The Earls team returned to the classrooms they had been transforming throughout the week, putting the finishing touches on the rooms they started earlier in the trip. Brushes were back in hand, sleeves rolled up once more, and the classrooms are now looking brighter, fresher, and ready for learning.
By the evening, the group had certainly earned a well-deserved treat. We headed out for dinner at Luigi’s for what might just be the most universally loved meal on the planet: pizza. After a long day of sports and painting, it disappeared at record speed.
All in all, another brilliant day packed with teamwork, community spirit, a little friendly rivalry… and a lot of pizza.
Team Project Gambia
by Nic Earls | Mar 4, 2026 | Uncategorized
The day began, as all great school-trip days should, with breakfast. There was a steady flow of toast, Nutella, and watermelon. Fuelled and mostly awake, we set off for Spring of Life School.
On arrival, we separated into groups and got stuck straight into classroom activities. There was plenty of focus, lots of enthusiasm and some impressive arts and crafts. After that, it was time for circle games. Imagine a joyful mix of clapping, The Hokey Cokey, and increasingly faster head, shoulders, knees, and toes.
The fun didn’t stop there. The playground became the setting for some very competitive games, including inter-school competitions. However, the real highlight- The teachers’ race. Let’s just say there was determination, questionable running techniques, and a level of competitiveness that surprised absolutely no one. Students were avid supporters of their teachers, and their noise electrified the playground. By 12:45, we aimed to leave – tired but happy, and possibly still discussing the dramatic finish line moment.
In the afternoon, students tried their hand at Batik art. There were moments of intense concentration as wax was carefully applied and designs began to take shape. The creativity on display was fantastic, and there may be some future Batik artists in the group. Watch this space!
After heading back, we swapped paint and playgrounds for sand and sea with a walk along the beach. The breeze, the sound of the waves, and the sunshine provided the perfect way to wind down.
The day finished with a well-earned dinner. Plates were cleared at impressive speed, and the volume level suggested everyone had plenty of stories to share.
After dinner, it was time for the highly anticipated Student Quiz! Teams were formed, team names became increasingly creative (and occasionally questionable), and the competitive spirit returned in full force.
The final scores were close, the celebrations were loud, for Eden, Emily, Viv, Amelia, and Pippa’s team.
Another brilliant day filled with laughter, teamwork, creativity and just the right amount of chaos. Everyone is in great spirits and making memories that we’re sure will last long after the suitcases are unpacked!
by Nic Earls | Mar 3, 2026 | Uncategorized
We are officially on Day 4, and it’s safe to say the students are no longer tourists, they are now fully-fledged classroom leaders (with surprisingly confident “teacher voices”) and part-time decorating professionals!
After breakfast, we split into three groups and headed off to Bright Minds Nursery, Wisdom Nursery and St Peter’s School.
Each group threw themselves into activities with energy and smiles. There was laughter, learning, and the kind of joyful chaos that only happens when creativity meets small children.
Activities included crown making, nail painting, classroom singsong and face painting. The most requested face paints were Ruby’s Lion and Spider-Man.
In the afternoon, it was back to painting at Omega School. Brushes were brandished with all the confidence of seasoned professionals, sleeves were firmly rolled up, and the transformation continued. The white-wash team have been working wonders, the walls are looking brighter than ever, and the freshly painted alphabet is coming along beautifully.
At lunchtime, we made a tactical mission to the supermarket to pick up snacks and refuel. Nothing says a successful day like a determined group debating what are better, Doritos or Pringles?
After dinner, the productivity continued, hygiene kits were carefully packed, and footballs were blown up in preparation for tomorrow’s activities.
Meanwhile, the evenings have featured special guest appearances from geckos in rooms — now fondly referred to as “Gecko Gate.” We’re pleased to report that while they are bold, they are also tiny and largely uninterested in being Eden and Megan’s new household pet. Thank you, Mr Cajigal, for safely removing “Big Yahoo” from room 15A.
And now… the headline act.
During the daytime, we have experienced what can only be described as Monkey Madness. The local monkeys have taken a keen interest in our students, why would they not when they have sampled their biscuit selection.
We’re fairly certain they are camping out on the roof of said students’ room, in anticipation of their next biscuit fix. Biscuit security has since been significantly tightened.
All in all, it’s been a day full of purpose, laughter, paint splatters, wildlife encounters, and snack-based diplomacy. The students are working hard, embracing every moment, and handling the unexpected (furry or otherwise) with brilliant spirit.
Team Project Gambia
by Nic Earls | Mar 2, 2026 | Uncategorized
Another fantastic and very busy day for our students here in The Gambia — full of creativity, teamwork and just a little bit of healthy competition!
The day began at 8:00am with breakfast, where students fuelled up and prepared for the day ahead. Shortly after, they split into two groups — proof that we can, in fact, organise teenagers efficiently before 9:00am!
At 9:00am, both groups set off for their respective schools, ready to lead activities and bring plenty of energy.
Group One: Bright Minds Nursery
One group visited Bright Minds Nursery, where they worked with the children. Our students led a range of activities including:
• Making paper handbags (future fashion designers in the making!)
• Colouring sessions
• Playground games that may have been just as energetic for our students as the children
It was wonderful to see the confidence and leadership skills on display. There were big smiles all round — and that was just from our students!
Group Two: Omega School
Meanwhile, the second group headed to Omega School, where artistic talent was in full flow. Activities included:
• Paper hand art
• Designing and decorating cups
• Face painting (with some very impressive designs!)
The creativity on show was outstanding — and thankfully most of the paint made it onto paper and faces rather than their project Gambia t-shirts.
After a well-earned lunch, everyone regrouped and at 1:30pm headed back to the new build Omega school, which Earls students have contributed towards being built.
The mission: paint classrooms and add the finishing touches to the areas started yesterday.
A special shout-out goes to Eden and Riley, who were crowned champions of the (unofficial but very serious) Decorating Competition, their prize- ice cream!
At 4:00pm, we visited the ice cream parlour. After a day of hard work, it was very well deserved.
By 5:00pm, students enjoyed some free time in the swimming pool.
At 7:00pm, everyone gathered for dinner, sharing stories from the day and comparing creative masterpieces.
We continue to be impressed by how brilliantly our students are throwing themselves into every activity, whether that’s leading a nursery craft session, perfecting their face-painting technique, or treating a wall like it’s the Sistine Chapel. Their energy levels remain mysteriously high, especially when ice cream is involved.
by Nic Earls | Mar 1, 2026 | Uncategorized
The first of many unforgettable days on our Gambia Project adventure — and this one came with early alarms, energetic teamwork, and some surprisingly impressive pestle-and-mortar skills! We kicked off the day with breakfast and a briefing at 8:00am. By 9:00am, fuelled by toast and enthusiasm, we set off for Kotusilo Village and Omega School.
Our first group visited Kotusilo Village were hands-on from the start. And when we say hands-on, we really mean it!
Students tried their hand at:
- Using a washboard and hanging up their washing
- Fetching water from the well (arm workout included)
- Sweeping floors (future tidy room promises pending)
- Using a traditional pestle and mortar
It turns out that pounding ingredients the traditional way requires serious upper-body strength! The students threw themselves into every task with fantastic enthusiasm. It was brilliant to see them embracing village life and gaining a real appreciation for how different (and physically demanding!) daily routines in the Gambia can be.
Next stop, Omega School, newly built thanks to the amazing fundraising efforts of The Earls and the Gambia Project. Seeing the school standing proudly was a reminder that all those sponsored events and fundraising drives really do make a difference.
Our students picked up pencils and paintbrushes to start adding numbers and letters to the nursery classrooms. There was careful concentration, a few artistic flourishes, and thankfully only minimal paint on clothing! However, Jack wins the award for the most paint on… himself. It was a proud moment to see our students coming together.
Before heading back to the hotel, we made a quick supermarket stop.
Lunch followed at 12:30pm, and by 1:30pm it was time for the afternoon switchover.
At 4pm the students enjoyed well-earned rest with time in the pool, along with some hand-stand competitions and an exhibition of varying levels of diving. Winner goes to our very own triathlete Jonathan.
At 7:00pm, we gathered for dinner. Students sampled some delicious Gambian dishes and, for those craving a taste of home, there were also reliable favourites like chips and pasta. It’s fair to say the chips remain undefeated in popularity — though several students are becoming increasingly adventurous with local flavours!
We’re incredibly proud of how they approached the first day. They have learnt some valuable school uniform maintenance skills today such as washing, hanging up washing and ironing. We urge you to put these to the test when they return home.
Team Project Gambia
by Nic Earls | Mar 1, 2026 | Uncategorized
And we’re off!! The coach departed the Earls at 00:20 in the early hours of the morning, with a mixture of excitement and sleepy smiles from our students. e made a scheduled stop at Oxford Services at 2:30am, giving everyone a chance to stretch their legs and recharge before continuing our journey south. You could tell they were tired, as the KFC remained untouched at the services.
After arriving at Gatwick Airport, we boarded our 10:00am flight bound for Banjul. The six-hour flight gave students an opportunity to recuperate and reflect on the busy days ahead. We saw some interesting sleeping positions to say the least including; brace, forehead on table, trying to catch a fly and spread limbs in the trolley aisle.
At 6:20pm local time, we safely arrived at our hotel in The Gambia. Despite the long journey, the group showed enthusiasm by singing some classics on the coach by Amy Winehouse and Nicki Minaj. All resources have now been unpacked and are ready to be distributed to the schools we will be visiting tomorrow.
After a very long but rewarding day of travel, it’s now time for some well-earned rest before a busy day tomorrow, when we begin visiting 2 local schools. Thank you to everyone for your continued support — we look forward to sharing more updates soon!
PS we’ve made friends with the Geckos in the shower, we wonder who our visitor will be tomorrow!
Team Project Gambia
