PROJECT Gambia 2015 is approaching the end with the second group of students and staff from Ridgewood High School heading back home tomorrow.

The group will be spending their last full day in Africa today by visiting Madiana School to complete painting work that they have been carrying out as well as handing out mosquito nets to people in Kutosilo.

As part of our daily updates throughout the past week and a half, we look back on yesterday’s events.

Today’s blog post is written by year 10 pupils Shona Wallace and Erin Stevens.

“Today was a really good day.

“We started off at Half Dye School where we did different activities with the children like face painting, colouring and singing. Many of the children there don’t usually go to school so their behaviour was quite challenging!

“The rooms were so hot and children were trying to crawl through a hole under the wall to get in and in the colouring room it was really crowded and chaotic because everyone was fighting for a place to get in the room.

“When I was face painting the kids were very frantic and all desperate to be done, which made us very happy as it felt to us like we weren’t doing much for them, but for them it made their day as they were all so excited and giggly.

“We then went back to the hotel on the bumpy trucks for lunch and after a quick break we went off to Muhammed’s compound to have a look around.

“He told us that his extended family of around 60 people lived here. He showed us one house that Project Gambia had funded which was nice to see that we were making a difference to them. We had a look at their well which is now functional and can draw clean water for the people there.

“After this we headed to Neneh’s where we did Batiking in the cool shade which was a nice change from the past couple days! It was an interesting experience doing Batik in an African village but looking around at the pieces Neneh had for sale was quite embarrassing compared to ours!

“Some people ordered some trousers to be made there, and we bought some handmade jewellery and bags which was very pretty. She also treated us to her homemade sweet potato chips and peanut brittle which was delicious.

“It was really nice to have the opportunity to sit in her garden and also to have a more relaxed afternoon. We then had our usual pool time playing tag and had an enjoyable meal for dinner.”

Previous blog posts and daily information on the trip, which will conclude tomorrow, is available at www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/projectgambia and at projectgambia.org.uk.

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

The Well of Life appeal needs to raise £10,000 to fund the pump and irrigation system to serve the villagers of Sintet.

To make a donation to the appeal 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.