By Andrew Shirley in The Gambia
Beer. One noun that pretty well sums up life for many at agricultural college in the UK.
Hard physical work and the chance to really improve your life. Studying at a Gambian farming college.
Treading a foot-powered water pump for hours on end under the blazing sun is not on the curriculum at home. Here it is par for the course. And there's not a pint to be seen.
Those lucky enough to get a place at the two farming colleges supported by Concern Universal really earn their keep. And once they leave they are expected to be role modes in their communities.
Do young farmers in the UK have something to learn from those in one of the world's poorest countries? I'm beginning to think so, but the situation is never clear.
I mean, why haul water from a well 8m deep with a bucket that has a hole in? Why use a bowl instead of a watering can to apply the precious water?
So many questions come to mind, but changing people's behaviour isn't easy. As CU's Gambia director Niall O'Connor explains, knowledge transfer can be extremely slow.
The agricultural college lays on drumming and dancing to round off the evening.
I go to sleep in a simple student room in this small college in the middle of nowhere a few kilometres from the Senegalese border.
The rhythm of the drums echoes in my mind, jostling for space with the many things I've seen so far and the problems that afflict this poor but somehow rich land.
I can't even begin to think of the answers.
Next morning.....I've twigged why even students don't drink here. The Gambia is predominantly Moslem, of course the students aren't boozing it up and the shrill sound of the Imam from the nearby mosque calling the faithful to prayer as day breaks suggests hangovers really wouldn't be a good idea any way.