Bakary's UK visit - 2007
Bakary came to stay with us for two weeks in September - we all had a good time. We had so much to talk about including family, community and plans; so many places to visit and so many things to do!
Bakary's story
My visit to the U.K was the most wonderful experience in my life. The visit was educative, promotive, interesting, an eye-opener and above all, a very important step towards the progress of Take Care Nursery School.
Being my first time to go out of my country, The Gambia, I felt deeply proud an amazed when I got on board the plane (SN.203) for the first time. Unlike most of the people in the plane, I looked everywhere as I sat lonely on my seat eagerly waiting for the plane to take off. It was a nice flight that I shall never forget. As I got out of the plane at Brussels, for a change of flight, in the morning, I felt a difference. The environment was gloomy, cold and the air was fresh.
On my arrival at Birmingham airport I received a warm welcome by Friends of Take Care Nursery School, specifically, Ant and Karen Davis who took me to their car which was parked in a place I have never thought to be in existence. A storey building car park. As I travelled towards my destination, sitting in the front seat with Ant, I gazed left and right as he explained things to me. When I arrived at my destination, Mountsorrel, I found the place to be so beautiful, tidy and quiet. Quiet in the sense that I did not hear people speaking loud, there was no noise of children playing and no loud sound of music as in my country. I saw lots of cars parked outside homes.
Within a duration of two weeks I had the opportunity to be at the following places: Hamilton Community College where I was invited to the 50th anniversary of the Leicester Orphean Orchestra. Here I delivered a speech and I was awarded a cheque for the construction of a classroom at T.C.N.S; The quarry where I saw four divers in action; The great Central Railway where I saw the train for the first time and got on board it from Rothley to Loughborough and back; The canal and Foxton Locks where I saw boats moving slowly in a canal with different water levels divided into segments; H.S.B.C where we met a nice lady called Kat who introduced me to a group of people; The Mayor of Charnwood where I met representatives from Longslade College, Roundhill College, Rothley Lions Club, Orphean Orchestra, Girl Guides from Mountsorrel and the Mayor and Mayoress of Charnwood. Here also I delivered a speech and received a cheque from Roundhill College for the construction of a dining hall and I also received a present from the Mayor and had the privilege to sign his visitor's book and had a nice lunch; Rothley Court, formally a Church and now a hotel. I was told that this was the first place slavery was declared abolished; St. Clements Nursery School where I learnt so many things that I took back to my School; Star Light Express in Nottingham where I saw a fantastic concert performance; Longslade College where I delivered a speech in front of the assembly and I was presented with a cheque for tables and chairs. I also had a phone interview with Leicester Mercury Newspaper which was published the following day; B.B.C Leicester Radio where I had a live interview; A medical Centre; An open market at Leicester; Ant's sponsored head shave in Nottingham. I was amazed with the interested the people have shown. Other Nursery Schools; Rhyton Organic Garden where I saw lots of nice vegetables and fruits; Cheddar Caves and Gorges where I saw wonderful things that time would not allow me to explain; London site seeing;
Time did not allow me to narrate all that I experienced in detail. Anyway, it was a trip I shall never forget till my last breath. It has given me the idea that the world is not exactly as I thought it to be.
A selection of photos from the visit
UK visit 2007
*FTCNS funds were used to pay for Bakarys flight but all other expenses were paid for by Ant & Karen