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Run4Africa: Manchester Met students set to embark on incredible study trip to The Gambia

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Manchester Met students are set to travel to The Gambia with De Montfort University and the Global Hands UK charity to take part in the Run4Africa and support local development projects.

Donate £2 to support our Run4Africa crowdfunding campaign at JustGiving.com


By Peter Weldon


On January 5th, 2018, Manchester Metropolitan University students and staff will embark on the university’s first ever study trip to The Gambia. In partnership with De Montfort University and Global Hands UK, the group aims to learn about the effects of globalisation and cultural competence through hands-on experience and engagement.

Students will have a chance to build their research skills and critical faculties regarding an increasingly globalised yet diversified world. All the while, they will be encouraged to be actively ‘questioning development’.

Upon arrival in The Gambia, students and staff will participate in the Global Hands Run4Africa. The event will feature a 5K run aimed at raising funds for the Manduar Development Hub. All proceeds will go towards providing support and educational opportunities for underprivileged children.

Students will then engage in a number of activities over the eleven-day trip. Students will experience living with a Gambian local family for 24 hours, as well as a visit to the historic James Island. They will also attend and participate in an academic conference, where speakers will discuss issues surrounding globalisation.

Overall, the trip will sharpen students’ research skills and give an understanding of life in developing areas. It will be a challenging but also enriching and fun experience, using an ethical model of development and training.

Global Hands is a social enterprise set up by staff and students at De Montfort University in Leicester. They aim to tackle issues regarding local and global issues by raising these concerns through community engagement. They also support people to build their capacities.


Follow @HumanityHallows for live coverage of the trip over on Twitter using #QuestionDevelopment.

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