TODAY will see another group of students and staff from Ridgewood High School fly out to Africa to join up with the other members of this year’s Project Gambia.

The second group will spend the next week in Gambia before returning home on Friday, April 3, while the first group of students, who have been in West Africa since Monday, will be leaving on March 30.

But as we are doing every day throughout the trip, we have enlisted the help of a member of the group to reflect back on yesterday’s adventures.

Olivia-Mae has given her thoughts on what she experienced while out in the Gambia.

“This morning we woke up to yet more divine weather; the sun was hot. Maybe a little too hot!

“We then meet for breakfast at 8am, where we were treated to yet more fried eggs, bread, cheese and jam. Later that morning we arrived at Half Dye School.

“The original site is currently being rebuilt, so the classrooms were made out of corrugated iron. The activity that I was assigned to was face painting and nail polishing, I must have painted what felt like 300 little faces but the experience was truly rewarding and the smiles on their faces was one I will never forget.

“After a short trip back to the hotel for lunch we then set of for Muhammed’s compound. After a long drive we realised we had gone to the wrong place and as the temperature rose we were very relived to finally arrive.

“Muhammed’s compound was full of children running around and were running towards us after this impressive welcome we were given a tour where he proudly showed off his crop growing area, functioning water well and living space.

“From here we went to Nenah’s house and she taught us how to create our own Batik. I designed a sunset scene with a sun, palm tree and added Project Gambia 2015.

“She showed us how to dye the cloth before we waited for it to dry to add another colour. During this time Nenah brought out some nut brittle which she has made for us and it was truly delicious.

“After a short drive home we arrived at the hotel ready for dinner, I ate everything! I am thoroughly enjoying my experience so far and can’t wait to see what tomorrow holds.”

Each day the project is out in the Gambia, a member of Project Gambia will write their own blog post detailing their own thoughts and experiences.

Blog posts and daily information on the trip will be available on both the Stourbridge News website and at projectgambia.org.uk.

The Stourbridge News has also joined forces with Project Gambia to help raise money to buy and install a water pump at the farm in the Gambian village of Sintet.

Our Well of Life appeal needs to raise £10,000 to fund the pump and irrigation system to serve drought-stricken farming land.

Members of Project Gambia will be visiting Sintet this week where they will see the location of the impending installation of the much needed pump.

To make a donation now visit www.justgiving.com/welloflifeappeal/ or text PROG15 and your amount, either £10, £5, £4, £3, £2, £1, to 70070.

People can also donate cash or cheques in person at the Stourbridge News offices, at St John’s House, St John’s Road, Stourbridge.

Cheques need to be made payable to Project Gambia Trust Ridgewood, and you’ll need to write Well off Life Appeal on the back.

If you are carrying out an event to help raise funds for the Well of Life Appeal please call our reporter Dan Sharp on 01384 358223, or email dan.sharp@stourbridgenews.co.uk with details.