Blogs at Kings Road Primary School

The Gambia is a very poor country. The HDI (Human Development Index) is used to compare the relative wealth of all the countries in the world. Ask Mr Furness about it and maybe consider what you think should be included in such an index. The Gambia is 155 out of 177 - so it is relatively very poor which is why VSO send volunteers here.

I miss having reliable electricity and water. When it is really hot and you cannot have a shower then you appreciate the simple things of life! I am in a house with electric, but the electricity is very unreliable and can go down for hours on end. I always have candles and matches handy.

I miss the NHS -  I never thought I would say that! The hospital in Banjul, where some of my VSO colleagues work, has no water at the moment. Just stop, re read that, a hospital with no water. Consider the implications . . .

I do not work in a school here, although I do visit them. I work in the Department of Education, in the capital city. I advise them about Education - in particular, curriculum. Again, Mr Furness can tell you what that means!