What can be of interest at a trunk factory?

Nothing is wasted in The Gambia, until it is so worn out it cannot be recycled into something else - that's what is interesting.

Take a 40 gallon oil drum and cut the circular top and bottom off it.

Cut and remove the folded seam and then flatten, this takes hours to do with great care or you split or buckle the metal.

The sheet is then refolded and joined to make the base of a box trunk, handles are fitted and another sheet is used to make a close fitting lid.

This is fitted to the trunk with home made hinges and fasteners are attached so the trunk can be padlocked shut.

Paint inside and out ready to sell for storing clothes or family valuables.

Material costs - next to nothing
Labour costs - a works makes two trunks in a day and employees 2 or 3 people, mostly family members - they are paid when a trunk is sold.
Sale prices vary with the size but generally less than £10.

We don't suggest that you spend al day here, more like 15 minutes, you will see whatever part of the process is currently happening but GTS have taken photographs of the whole process so you can appreciate the work involved.

A donation of 5 or 10 Dalasi is suggested to cover the cost of the time taken in showing visitors the work and explaining the process.

Should you wish to purchase a trunk or any other article that is made - GTS members will get a 15 to 20% discount.

Similar and equally interesting is the toy works - making cars, boats, planes and helecopters from old tin cans. Ask a GTS host for details.