Saffe Bob Jobe Article

Charity number 1096152

An Exciting and Educative Stay

Saffie Bob Jobe, headmistress of Yalding School, Farato, Gambia writes about her stay in the UK earlier this year.

On the 21st December 2004, I travelled with a team of GamBLE members to Yalding, Kent.  
The following day I left for Manchester to visit my sister and on Christmas Day I saw her for the first time!

I returned on the 5th of January and spent the rest of my stay in the UK with a very kind, humble and hospitable couple, Tony and Karen Di Marco, founders of GamBLE.   The main reason for this visit was to see how nursery (pre-schools) are run in the UK and do a short course on pre-school education and administration.   I started visiting schools the next day.
The first was St. Peter and St. Paul Primary School built in 1857.   I was warmly welcomed by the headmistress Ms Glynis Coats, the secretary Trish and members of staff.   I was shown around and taken to the reception class where pupils are aged 4 and 5.   
The roll is 21, the teacher is Mrs Hawell and the assistant Mrs Marshall.
I was introduced to the pupils and to my surprise one of them asked why I was having a cover on my head.  It was unexpected but I explained why.   I observed very interesting lessons.   I visited the class for 12 days, worked with the children, had reading lessons and story telling with them and learnt a lot from them and the teachers.
I spent a day with years 6 and 7 and gave a talk to the older children on The Gambia and Africa. They asked a lot of questions.

On January 10th I started visiting Twyford Pre-school, which is under the supervision of Linda Gilbert, a lady I have met and worked with in The Gambia.   I was warmly welcomed by everybody.
Twyford is a blessed school with 26 pupils, a supervisor, a deputy and six staff.   The children don't put on uniforms and the age range is 2.5 to 5.   The classroom is a large hall (the village hall) arranged every morning before lessons at 9.30am.   There are lots of teaching toys and learning and playing materials.   There is space for movements.
The children were brought to school by their parents who also collected them in the afternoon.   Pupils were allowed to choose their area of interest to learn through play, guided by teachers.

Other new ideas learnt included: Letter of the Week when children brought articles whose names started with the letter for the week; discussion with children during break; children being arranged in a semi-circle and sitting on their mats when they had story-telling or whole class discussion.

The children were always attentive during sessions.   They asked and answered questions.   They talked about themselves and their problems.   I took part in some sessions, interacted with the children whom I love so much and read out stories to them.   I was highly impressed by what I saw in all the schools I visited.  Other schools visited were; Wateringbury Primary, a modern school with new buildings, well furnished classrooms and many other facilities; Bower Grove School, a special needs school.   The teacher -pupil ratio is 1 to 2.5 and there are 5 to 6 pupils in a class.   Children are taught music and enjoy outdoor activities: Old Bexley CE Primary School, which has a nursery, reception and primary.   It is a very decent school and was recently rehabilitated and new blocks added.   There are two nursery classes, one morning, the other afternoon.   I worked with both.   I was highly impressed by the PTA participation.

Apart from school visits I was engaged in other activities.   Tony, Karen and I were invited to dinner by Clair and Derrick.   We had a wonderful time, ate and talked a lot about the project.

I went with Tony and Karen to visit their mothers.   I was warmly welcomed and we chatted a lot.   I also met Tony's son Robert and a couple who are strong supporters of GamBLE.   Their church donated generously to the project.   Tony and Karen organised a dinner on my behalf.   I chatted with GamBLE members and supporters.   We exchanged ideas.   It was an enjoyable night.

I went with Tony and Karen to services at St Peter and St Paul and the Baptist Church.   I was a special guest and special prayers were offered on my behalf.   I also met GamBLE supporters and had discussions with them.

I was invited to dinner by Bert and Beryl and enjoyed it very much.   A special Tobaski Dinner was organised by Tony and Karen and my uncle was invited from London.

Saffie

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