Updated
September 27, 2000
NEWS (Sept 27th)
The end of the rains approaches in The
Gambia, GTS container is ready to go on 9th October and the GTS compound
makes good progress.
A new Gambia web site - a condemnation of the tobacco industry
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A possible big change for return visitors to The Gambia
is the Government attempt to remove the 'Beach Bars.
It is maintained that they attract the 'Bumsters' who hassle the tourists and put many visitors off leaving their hotels.
It is true that many tourists are 'put off' by the undue attention from unemployed youngsters aged between 14 and 30, but the real problem is lack of employment, moving the beach bars does not seem to be a solution to the underlying problem.
Njundu tells me that it has been agreed that the bars will stay open BUT each will only be allowed 6 employees - we will see as the season progresses.
Many tourists return to visit the very bumsters that others avoid.
For the second month, I must apologise for the lack of work on the site. Nothing much has happened in terms of new members, the rainy months are not good recruiting months but we hope that with the prospect of Gambian holidays approaching more site visitors will consider the benefits of joining GTS.
The site is currently attracting around 125 hits a week, a few visitors leave messages on the guest book and a few email with questions and offers of help. Pressures at work, the container and the move have greatly reduced the time I have had to be more proactive, but I hope that will change soon.
Foday's leg is totally healed after his accident on the
motor bike.
Lamin and Njundu have failed to sort out the computer so email to GTS
in Gambia is not currently possible.
Paula returned after two rainy season weeks, her English is not good,
but I understand that she enjoyed herself.
The container is now approaching its last two weekends in England, before it leaves for its journey to Banjul, many thanks to those of you who made cash contributions towards it's transport.
Lamin has sent pictures of the compound - The walls are progressing well and should soon be finished on three sides, waiting now for the container to arrive before being completed.
I hope to visit Gambia for a week in October and again in December.
The October visit will be devoted to 'a GTS business rules meeting' and discussions about the future after the success and failures of the last 6 months.
After the Gambia-L list grilling about my honesty and integrity, it was interesting to see that Gambia Tourist Concern has launched a web site and I see that one of the moving forces behind it was one of the critics of GTS - Not withstanding, the Gambia Concern site is very well worth a visit. The format is text, but there are very interesting articles on a wide variety of topics. Linked to the site is ASSET, which appears to be a commercial concern... an interesting new addition to Gambia sites.
We wish it every success and hope that its commercial ventures help more of the people that GTS is attempting to support and provide employment for.
Finally, GTS totally condemns the cynical efforts of the tobacco companies to promote sales in Africa by giving away free cigarettes. Gambia is mainly a Muslim country so their religious rules actually prohibit smoking. Unfortunately, more and more people in Gambia smoke, cigarette sales are rising and so of course will smoking related illnesses. Profit is the motive and as usual the ordinary people will suffer.
Lamin is philosophical about it - "It is the will of Allah" - I have some sympathy with his view point BUT I feel it can be taken advantage of to sanction any behavior by anyone.
It seems to me that this is a way of avoiding taking any responsibility for anything. In fact, it allows many Gambians the flexibility to do exactly as they please, invoking the more 'powerful will of God' over their duty to the people around them. Unless Gambians find the will to be responsible, they will remain the slaves of powerful manipulators like the tobacco industry and con themselves into believing that it is the will of Allah.
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