On January 14, 2024, an 11-person group departed from Moormerland for a 15-day trip to Gambia. Four participants embarked on the long journey for the first time. The journey began at 0:30 a.m., with two rental vehicles transporting the group to Schiphol Airport. The flight took off at 7:00 a.m., and by 1:30 p.m., the plane landed punctually at Yundum/Banjul Airport. The travelers were initially greeted by a sunny sky and warmth (36°C) unfamiliar to them in Germany. After completing formalities, they were awaited by a delegation from the Sukuta Upper Basic and Senior Secondary School (SUBSSS) (teachers and students). Here, the group had their first encounter with the new head of SUBSSS, Mr. Modou Dem.

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Mr. Dem had assumed the school leadership from Mrs. Haddy Sosseh-Saddy in September 2023, whom the group had known for many years. Thus, he was unfamiliar to anyone in the group. Naturally, our longtime chauffeur Pa Modou Joof and his sons Lamin and Usman were also present, safely escorting the weary travelers to the Bungalow Beach Hotel (BB), our base in Kotu.

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At the BB, the group met Joachim and Helga, who had arrived a week earlier but had to depart a week sooner. After settling into their rooms and exchanging currency, the day concluded with a communal dinner at the Captain's Table restaurant.

Due to the tiring journey, the first day started a bit later with a fantastic view of the Atlantic from the balcony on the first floor. After breakfast, the obligatory joint grocery shopping took place, followed by an afternoon of planning the rest of the stay with Pa Modou. Apart from official visits and discussions with the school and the School Management Committee (SMC), the aim of the trip was to provide participants with a deeper insight into the country, its people, their way of life, culture, etc.

The second day was dedicated to SUBSSS. During the official welcome, there was an opportunity to get to know Mr. Dem better and engage in a lengthy conversation with him. This was followed by an extensive tour of the school, which was a special experience for those attending for the first time, as it demonstrated what FSM had achieved since 1988.

On the third day, a visit to a friendly African family in Brikama was on the agenda. During the stay at Sibi-Kunda, the name of the compound, the group gained insight into the typical life of an African family, asked questions, exchanged experiences, and had the opportunity to see everything, which was quite special.

As a special surprise arranged by the trip planners through the hosts, an African group was organized to present music and dance in the style of the Mandinka, the largest ethnic group. It was a highlight that made time fly by.

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While the group members rested a bit, Alfred and Joachim had an extensive conversation with Ansumana Touray. Ansumana had worked in Germany for 20 years and successfully completed a four-year training program in Kassel during that time. He returned to Gambia and founded two companies specializing in solar technology. Our goal to enlist him as a solar expert and a common contact for our solar energy plans for SUBSSS was successful.

In another intense discussion with Mr. Dem, school representatives, and the SMC, Alfred and Joachim discussed the benefits of cooperation and managed to gain everyone's support for future close collaboration. As a result, Ansumana would initially maintain the solar system of the library. Additionally, he proposed interesting offers for the necessary retrofitting of the existing solar system in the library and the installation of new systems.

After finalizing the contractual arrangements, further projects with him are planned, such as a solar-powered pumping system for the freshwater well, ensuring energy for the Assembly Hall for lighting and ventilation, etc. Moreover, Alfred and Joachim took the opportunity to inform the representatives of SUBSSS and the SMC in detail about the conditions and requirements for future cooperation.

In addition to the aforementioned visit to the African family in Brikama, a visit to Paradise Beach, a beautiful stretch of beach, was on the agenda. On the way back, there was time to visit "Mama Africa," an art and cultural center that provides an impressive insight into the African art scene.

The visit to the fish market in the fishing village of Tanji provided insight into life by the sea and livelihoods based on fishing. The market was bustling with activity and distinctive fish market smells. Definitely worth a visit!

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Another experience was the MAKASUTU National Forest, covering over 400 hectares, which two Englishmen bought from the Mandinka in 1960 and declared a national park in 1964. The entire area is characterized by endemic trees and medicinal plants, which still play a significant role in local traditional medicine. In addition to insects and birds, around 400 wild monkeys inhabit the area in several family groups.

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We were fortunate that several monkey families crossed our guided path. They paid us no attention, signaling through their disinterest that they were the natural inhabitants, while we were merely visitors. Also, the visit to the KACHIKALLY Crocodile Pool in Bakau was always fascinating and educational. It is one of three sacred crocodile pools in Gambia. Visitors are initially guided through several museum-like buildings in the cult site, providing interesting insights into the country's history, cultural customs, colonial period, etc.

Countless objects create a magnificent picture. And then there's the pool with about 100 crocodiles, which can be petted under the supervision of staff. Allegedly, no person has ever been injured by one of the crocodiles, which have been allowed to breed freely here for several hundred years. Is it true?

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The penultimate day of the trip was once again dedicated to the school. At the request of the University of Emden/Leer, a visit to the Sukuta Lower Basic School took place. There, with the help of the university, a solar system was also installed, and a computer lab was set up.

To bid farewell to SUBSSS, the group was greeted in the Assembly Hall by Mr. Dem and Deputy Mr. Jambang, along with numerous students. The guests were seated on stage, with the many gifts they had brought clearly visible to all. These gifts consisted of locally purchased consumables such as white and colored chalk, paper, pencils, colored pencils, sharpeners, pens, markers, staplers, etc. The group had voluntarily donated a significant amount of money for this purpose. To set the mood, the Gambian national anthem was sung by the students. Fortunately, the travel group had practiced the German national anthem at the hotel the day before, so it could also be performed.

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In their speeches, Mr. Dem and Mr. Jambang thanked FSM for over 35 years of intense assistance and expressed their desire for further partnership with FSM. In his response, Alfred also referred to what had been achieved together so far. He made it clear that FSM is also interested in a close, cooperative, and partnership-based collaboration, and together, they can achieve even more. While not all wishes could be fulfilled at once, many could be realized step by step. The children enthusiastically performed "If you're happy and you know it...", a song that the FSM chairman, Holger Schneider, had often sung in past decades.

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Before returning to the BB, the travel group responded with the FSM "anthem" 'From Germany from far away, we come to Sukuta', which had been rehearsed wisely at the hotel as well.

Thus ended unforgettable days in Gambia, filled with numerous sightseeing trips and visits.

The trip was rounded off by invitations from Mr. Dem to his private house in Gunjur, a small town on the Atlantic, and from Pa Modou. Both visits offered the opportunity to get to know the families' lives and participate in them to some extent.

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All in all, it was an interesting, varied, but also very exhausting journey. Especially the weather made the last few days difficult – 36°C and Harmattan, the sand wind from the Sahara. The impressions and experiences will be remembered for a long time, and the small longing for Africa will continue to nourish.

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Bye bye, Gambia. Thank you for a wonderful time!