Marlborough students’ summer visit to Gunjur in The Gambia

Ten students from St John’s School and Marlborough College have left with their leaders Rosie Carter, Harriet Compton and James Moran for a four week visit to Marlborough’s Link Community of Gunjur, The Gambia.  They are the sixteenth group to make the summer visit and work in Gunjur since the first group went in 1985 led by the then Mayor Nick Fogg.

During their time in Gunjur this group will be living with local families, experiencing daily life in the village, learning about the country’s very different culture and Islamic faith – and developing lasting friendships.

Just as importantly, they will be working with members of the community to construct an extension to the central market.  This market, in many ways similar to the new Sunday market in Marlborough, is in the centre of the village and is a vital source of income for the women of Gunjur who sell their produce vegetables, meat and locally caught fish.  This money is used to support their families and educate their children.

The group aged between sixteen and eighteen years old are entirely self-funded and have raised £4,000 towards the materials for building the extension to the market.

They will be giving a presentation of their time in Gunjur on Monday, August 20 at 7.30 pm in Marlborough Town Hall.  Admission free, but there will be a retiring collection.