THE VILLAGE

The village in Gambia Combining Charity Work With Adventure Travel in The GAMBIA For A Unique and Exhilarating Experience.

The village in which you will be working and living during your stay is situated in Southern Gambia, not far from the Senegalese border, is semi - rural and has 943 occupants (June 06 ) from four native tribes. One of these tribes is Christian whose first language is Portuguese. The other tribes are Muslims.

98% of the adults in the village are illiterate, though many are very keen to learn to read and write English. The villages are extremely welcoming and friendly, crime is just about unheard of here.

Unemployment throughout The Gambia runs very high at approx 85%, in the villages the unemployment rate runs even higher. The WYCE Charity set up in this village just three years ago (2002) and has to date built a Primary Health Care Centre in the village, educates all the village children between 3 + 6yrs in 2 class rooms known as the Early Years Centre, will be commencing primary education from 7yrs in Sept 06, plans to build a secondary school and a Skills Centre for adolescence and adults to promote their employability.

A Bee Farm is currently been created as well as a tree nursery and a village vegetable garden. Income - generated projects which will increase the earning powers of the local people.

A Bore Hole has been sunk in the village with the medium term aim being to pipe water to the various village compounds (homes) There is a huge area for further development in many aspects of Community work within the village.

At this time there is no running water or electricity in the village although your accommodation area is serviced by the Bore Hole and Solar Power. See accommodation.

There are also plans to build a Skills Centre where the young people of the Village can learn a trade i.e Plumbing, Plastering, Building, Carpentry, Bicycle repair etc in order to increase their employability.

Charity work TILLYS TOURS has joined to support this excellent Charity by offering you exciting and exhilarating work placements combined with an amazing one week adventure expedition into the heart of The Gambia so that you really do have a worthwhile experience of a lifetime that is likely to change your life forever.

And think of the satisfaction you will get knowing that your time and money is actually helping to educate the local children, provide good Health Care services, provide skills and employment and pay the salaries of local staff.......... while YOU are having a great experience.

Its not all work though, the village is situated just a five minute walk from a lovely beach where you can swim, relax or have a beach BBQ. There are also opportunities to learn the local drums, cultural dancers, hair braiding, local languages and so so much more. Your Cultural awareness will be massively increased by the end of your stay.