Updated
January 10, 2007
GTS UK - GTS is a family response to 3rd World Poverty, it directs action and aid to local Gambians who are trying to earn money directly from tourists - YOU can help by using GTS facilities in The Gambia.
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Helen
India
Fran
Above Top right
Adam
Owen
Toby, visited The Gambia with us in December 2000.
In 2005 Helen and I went through a very amicable divorce and in 2006 I married Filley, a Gambian who had worked for GTS.
Filley & I run the GTS Kololi accommodation, we look forward to welcoming you to our home in Gambia.
This page has been updated several times, please scroll down to see the latest update in January 2007
A coincidence always seems strange, because somehow it joins bits of our lives together.
Our first proper foreign summer holiday was turning into a nightmare, with 4 children it had to be cheap and we thought a last minute flight might be the answer. Each day the prices were going up not down. In the end there was an offer for 5 to The Gambia for the weeks over Christmas
Roots by Alex Haley had been televised when we first got married and our first son was named Toby partly as a result BUT that was all forgotten. When we found out that The Gambia was the ROOTS country it felt weird
When we got there, is was so different but just like home - I have to say we just loved it, well we just loved the warmth of the people and the sights and smells of this tiny African country.
So GTS UK is the 'Glynn' family, Helen a Food Technology teacher, Francis a computer software trainer, Adam starting out in Hotel management, currently in York. India and Owen starting A levels at Greycoats school in central London. Toby, the link for it all, has still not visited The Gambia because he was busy at University in Manchester but having completed his degree will visit for the first time in December 2000..
GTS is trying to HELP, nothing big or boat rocking, we have read of UK people building schools and admired their courage and self sacrifice. All GTS has done is added some initial capital to provide the hardware & services that tourists need and some internet promotion so people will know about the services that GTS provides.
We would love to involve dozens of local Gambians in the direct Tourist support industry, because it feeds essential currency directly into their local economy.
Things have developed slightly since this was first
written in December 1998, GTS (Feb 2001) has :-
A 4 wheel drive diesel Rocky for safari trips,
A motor bike for local hire,
A family compound available for up to 4 adults and a couple of children.
Our compound in Brufut bought in mid 2000 and currently being developed
as a visitors centre and resource for local people.
A smaller plot of land that will become the GTS horticulture project.
The GTS telecentre and information centre in Kololi
Changes in Gambia are more intriguing than a UK soap opera and again there have been changes - March 2003 GTS now has
The new GTS bar and restaurant
(leased)
It has no car, which was purchased in Foday's name.and is held by him
since he left GTS in May 02
The family compound has been retained by Fo since leaving GTS in May 02
Our compound in Brufut still awaits the courts decision as to wether it
belongs to GTS or Lamin Cesay, who purchased it for us with our money
Brufut 2, Foday now tells people that it is his, Despite our funding for
all the building development their and funding all the purchase paper
work.
The telecente at Holiday beach was returned to the Ceesay family, while
Fo was running GTS, they have since left it.
However since Fo left
GTS now employs around 25 Gambians.
and supports the administration & sponsorship of 125 children
January 2007
The GTS charity
in Gambia now has its UK sister charity Reg No 1110998 - The distinction
is easy
GTS provides tourist services, airport pickups, a bar & restaurant.
GETS provides educational sponsorships and development.
Both work to help Gambians work and be educated.
Both charities
work hand in hand to provide a service to anyone interested in The Gambia.
We have very much left the past behind us along with the characters who
turned out less supportive than they first seemed, it is not the "Gambian
way" to disclose dishonesty in others - but Gambia is a place that
can make sensible people suspend caution and trust people who are no more
trust worthy than a stranger you might meet in the street at home. The
result is that many are left disappointed, disallusioned and often a lot
poorer.
Distinguishing between honest and dishonest people is not easy and so take extra special care, there are language, religious and cultural traditions that make it hard to sort out the Good from the Bad and Ugly..
The division of the work laod between GTS and GETSuk means that both parts of the charity can now concentrate on their own activities.
The GTS Bar & Restaurant has now established itself as a highly popular day and evening venue, it is unique in Gambia both in the way it looks, the quality of the food and the low prices. Our staff are wonderfully attentive and welcoming without bumstering any clients, you will feel safe and secure at GTS.
The GTS Kololi accommodation currently provides 2 ensuite doubles for self catering or partially self catering holiday (we can also provide breakfasts and evening meals) the cost of each room is £75 a week to members of GTS or GETSuk. We also have a self contained storey house with two double rooms and a large roof top chilling area. The house is let as a single unit at £150 a week.
We have installed garden tables for guests, bore hole water supply and all rooms are cleaned and serviced during your stay. A small splash pool should be finished in the early months of 2007 and later in 2007 we should have a two bedroom flat available.
Thank you for your interest in GTS and we hope to welcome you as visitors th The Gambia in the near future.
Francis
GTS and GETSuk
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