The Fredericton Wanderers of Brikama

The soccer (football) season back home is fast approaching, and this past weekend I proved to myself that I'm about two-months away from game fitness...luckily the season starts in exactly two months.

I was invited to the bustling hub of Brikama (really the centre of action on the West Coast of The Gambia...think Truro...or better, don't ever think of Truro...think instead of Moncton)--all traffic seems to run through Brikama--to join my former NSGA colleague and good friend, Jerreh Manneh to play with his senior men's team in a "test match" against a local academy team. Me, old legs, out of practice, unfit, out on the field with a group of nimble and tough 20-25 year olds, squaring off against Team "Two-a-days" (in the form of this youth academy--no joke, these kids practice for upwards of 5 hours daily). And get this...Jerreh plugs me into the central midfield!! Luckily a three man midfield and tells me to just hang in the middle of the field and hold things up..."Yessir" I say, the less running the better.

And so we played...on the FIFA installed field turf that bears little more than two years of wear and tear. (From what I've been able to discern...there are three grass fields and the one turf field in The Gambia...the rest is dust and dirt my friends).

It was spectacular. A real soccer (football) game, on real fake turf, with two real teams, with a real-ish referee...and I made it through the whole first half...barely. These kids can run...and run...and run...and run. And, I cannot.

But we managed to pull out the 2-1 victory, and all and all, I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to get out and have a good run on the field.

Here comes the kicker (see what I did there)...my club team back home, the Fredericton Wanderers has been looking to partner with a Gambian club, association, group of teams, etc. for the past several weeks. When I told Jerreh of my idea to partner with his team and provide a sense of goodwill through football across the pond, the boys immediately took to the idea and OFFICIALLY changed the name of their team to: The Fredericton Wanderers of Brikama. I left them with a football and a nominal sum of cash as starter money for their upcoming season and promised to develop a close relationship between our two teams...something that we can use to promote global friendship through sport.

The Fredericton Wanderers of Brikama

I can't wait now to get home, get fit, and get out on the real fake turf to start the season.

Until Next Time...Don't Stop Believin,

Matty

Words of Wisdom

The Point is a Gambian newspaper. Here you will find an article that quotes a certain Mr. Decourcey (I'll forgive the lower case "c" in this instance, because...other than that, the guy got my name right...and that doesn't happen often in Canada, let alone The Gambia).

You'll notice, I'm quoted as if I am THE definitive word on Malaria.

...Well, maybe I am.

I'm home in less than three weeks. See yas all soon.

Till Next Time...Don't Stop Believin,

Matty

Better late than never

Yes, I know I've been absent from the blogishpere for a long while now...(not the first time such has happened--#CanadaTwentyTen), but below really sums up why I am where I am, doing what I do.

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Acting to Action – Education for Social Change

Drama is a way of life for youth in The Gambia.

For this expressive people, the evocation of joy and sorrow, happiness and sadness, laughter and community extends routinely from day-to-day life onto the stage in impressive fashion. Today, young people along “The Smiling Coast” are leading the charge as actors for social change. They also continue to demonstrate their flare for the dramatic, as actors…on stage.

On January 29^th, 130 students from junior and senior high schools across The Gambia gathered in the coastal centre of Fajara to compete in the Annual Inter-School Drama Competition, hosted by the Nova Scotia-Gambia Association (NSGA). The event was a platform for the schools’ Peer Health Education teams to showcase their theatrical talents and educate the over 500 in attendance about the life skills necessary to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in The Gambia. Drama performances from 15 teams headlined the night, while a junior high quiz contest and impromptu speech competition for senior students rounded out the evening affair.        

The event capped off a campaign undertaken by the NSGA, in partnership with Action Aid International-The Gambia that saw Peer Health Educators in- and out of school trained in all regions. These collaborative and interactive workshops, delivered by NSGA trainers and drama troupers, focused on “Life Skills” as they relate to the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STIs, puberty and reproductive health.

In fact, the NSGA has a rich history of cultivating dynamic young leaders to serve as role models and agents of change. For over 20 years, the NSGA has partnered with school and community groups, to deliver valuable educational messages through their Peer Health Education (PHE) teams. The PHE model, which empowers youth to “learn and teach others” has helped develop the critical-thinking capacity and self-confidence of Gambian youth from Basse to Banjul. The use of dramatic techniques and innovative presentation methods has, from the start, been a vital component of how the organization fosters youth leadership in the West African nation.

Canadian contribution

Since their November arrival in Banjul, CIDA interns, Mary Catherine (M.C.) Connolly and Matt DeCourcey have been part and parcel of the front-line work being done by the NSGA in and out of schools throughout The Gambia. A registered nurse and native of Charlottetown, PEI, Connolly has put her intimate knowledge of health issues and her passion for helping others to good use in facilitating workshops in various regions. DeCourcey, a native of Fredericton, NB, with a background in community-development and communications, has been influential in providing new ideas on leadership development and communication education to his Gambian colleagues and PHE teams. In their first three months in-country, these two have been directly involved in the education and coaching of over 300 young people throughout The Gambia. They have also contributed to various public engagement activities of the NSGA.

As a partnership of Canadians and West Africans, the NSGA has made its mark on the development of human capital and international citizenship. Working hand-in-hand, Canadians and Gambians have been, are, and will continue to create opportunities for young people in The Gambia to reach their full potential as educated and active members of society. And, the youth continue to pay the NSGA back in-kind with active and educational performances on the stage.  

Through action on the ground, and acting on stage, the NSGA continues to educate for social change. 

Take a peek here

For all those wondering what is happening this weekend in The Gambia, take a peek here

For all those wondering how my mother has gotten along over the past two weeks here in The Gambia, take a peek here

And, for the rest of you...check back later.

Adios!

And, Until Next Time...Don't Stop Believin,

Matty

Actinnnngggg!! (in a Jon Lovitz voice)

Oh, it's back to the office this Monday morning, and myself, M.C. and my mom (god bless her soul) are busy preparing for both our inevitable return to the field in February, as well as the upcoming NSGA National Drama Competition this Saturday evening. (*Right now mom is putting her teacherly printing skills to work preparing flip-charts to be used on NSGA's various training sessions...everyone is very impressed with her penmanship.)

This coming Saturday, 15 Upper Basic (middle/junior high) and Senior Secondary (high) schools from all over the country (east to west) will arrive here in Fajara to compete against one another for the NSGA National Drama crown. As we've been made to be aware over the past few weeks, these schools take these competitions very SERIOUSLY. No Peer Health Education/Drama team dares show up with wrinky-dinky presentation, nor without their game faces on. (I'm sure that your Rex Ryan's of the world would find this event a prime chance to run their mouths at the competition...but I digress and must let my ire over my Patriots loss last week go to rest for the year) These "dramas" will be a showcase of the intervention that myself and my colleagues have had in the various schools pertaining to HIV/AIDS and Life Skills education over the past months.

And so, we are busy preparing questions and scenarios for the Quiz and Impromptu Speech components, that will accompany the Drama piece...Yes, the NSGA goes all out for these things. I have no doubt it will be a late night.

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Just a reminder that my mother (the guest blogger) has taken up my mantle over the past week, and continues to offer her insights on her African Adventure at http://gardencreek.nbed.nb.ca/teacher/mrs-decourcey Check it out, and humor her a bit.

Until Next Time...Don't Stop Believin,

Matty

Freeloading

Yea...I know...no blog posts from Matt this week. Well, I got sick ok! And, my mom is here to boot...so I'm freeloading, er...tour-guiding...and anyways, my mom is doing the blog work for me. To check out her take of her visit to The Smiling Coast check out her teacher page on Garden Creek Elementary School at:
http://gardencreek.nbed.nb.ca/teacher/mrs-decourcey

Enjoy one and all...

And Until Next Time...Don't Stop Believin,

Matty

If it's Friday, it must be Belgium

Thought I would pass along an e-mail I just received from my mother, who is in the midst of a round-about journey to visit me. She sent this to me, along with my father, sister and several close family friends back home...I'm eager to see what type of mood she'll be in when she finally lands here.

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If It Friday, it must be Belgium.

Hello!

Believe me when I say there are no direct flights in life...

After a lovely summer-like drive to Portland the excitement began. No getting out on Wednesday as planned. Best option was another night at the lovely Comfort Inn while the blizzard closed down EVERYTHING in Portland... (even heard LL Bean closed!)
Thursday I took the 5:00 bus to Boston and flew to Chicago, waited there all day and flew to Brussels overnight where I am once again waiting here all day... I fly to Casablanca at 5:00 then on to Banjul. Hope to see Matt shortly after midnight.


Hope you are all well. Can't wait to change clothes and stop hauling my loaded knapsack around. great reminder to travel light. Should have lots more room to put stuff in my suitcase on the way home.

Stay tuned!

Dawn

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And Until Next Time...Don't Stop Believin,

Matty