TODAY marks the end of the Project Gambia journey for the first of the two groups on this year's trip.

Throughout their week in West Africa the first group has experienced what life is like for those living in a developing country.

But the second group are still to get the same sense of local life and this morning will split into three to carry out activities at Half Dye, Kanifing and The Methodist Special school.

They will also get to give a helping hand to the local communities like group one did when they helped to paint and build schools, worked with children and made donations to the health clinic.

As well as the hard work, the students and staff have also been treated to evenings of African dancing, fancy meals and ice creams.

Throughout the weekend – the only time both groups are out in the Gambia together – the students spent time donating mosquito nets to Kutosilo villagers and also took part in lessons at Madiana School.

Students have received a very warm welcome by local children whenever they have visited the schools, and it was no different this weekend.

The groups also took a two-and-a-half hour drive to the Sintet, a drought-stricken farming area which the project has been helping since 2012.  

When the project first visited Sintet four years ago the community was living in basic conditions with no electricity or running water but, with funding and support from Project Gambia, the villagers were able to fence a 100 metre sq for planting crops.

Then over the past three years the fence has grown further, gradually extending it to 400 square metres.

However, the villagers have suffered in recent years, which led the Stourbridge News to join forces with Project Gambia this year to help raise money to buy and install a water pump in the village.

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

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.