PUPILS at Winkleigh Primary welcomed the headteacher of their link school in The Gambia. It was the first visit by Domingo Mendy, who last year received Winkleigh School reception class teacher Naomi Alexander. The schools have exchanged letters, photographs and drawings and are now embarking on shared projects. St Andrew's Lower Basic School in Berending has 380 pupils aged 3 to 13. The visit was funded by the Department For International Development. Mr Mendy's visit has stimulated a storytelling project that will help both schools with Speaking and Listening skills. St Andrew's is typical of African schools in that it has few resources. Winkleigh has launched a book appeal. Quality second hand picture books are being collected for a new library. Mr Mendy's visit also initiated a new 'Green' Group to look at waste in school and promote the three Rs: Recycle, Reduce, Reuse. Pupils heard from Mr Mendy that some of his children walk five miles to school every day and have a teaspoonful of food for lunch. Mr Mendy met Winkleigh Parish Council Chairman Peter Stutt and Cllr Glen King who are keen to link the two communities. He also met 'Young Farmer', Rhoda Squire who introduced him to her dairy farm at Dowland. Mr Mendy, a farmer himself, has a vision for the school to become sustainable and self-supporting. He would like to involve mothers in farming the land at his school, growing bananas, a project which will need irrigation. Another vision is to link through the internet to help sustain the partnership and raise cultural awareness for the children. Winkleigh School would like to hear from anyone with links in The Gambia who may be interested in the partnership. Contact 01837 83354 or email [email protected]">[email protected]