Gambia
Tourist
Support
NEWS
(June 17th)
2 GTS families
return after great holidays, the Delahaye's bring Njundu to UK with them.
Updated 17/6/2000
News page
Home
Njun, Serious and a little
stressed after immigration control
Happier on first day, outside the CLA in Belgrave Square
More pictures to follow
First, an update on our first members disappointing trip.
I don't want to duck any responsibility, but having discussed the problems with all the GTS team, we do feel that the whole holiday was soured because of the early loss of £150 - which we feel would not have happened had the couple used GTS rather than going to a crowded venue with a complete stranger. (See feedback for full story)
WE have introduced holiday planners which guest and hosts use to detail what is going to happen, when and the daily costs. We feel the early criticism has actually helped a lot, and feed back from subsequent members confirms this.
Harold, Esther and Jonathon Shortt had a one week return visit and report having a great time, they only spent one day with GTS as they were very busy with friends they met on their previous trip, I am promised pictures of Lamin with a snake at the rescue centre he took them to during their 'Roots' trip.
Tony and Bec Delahaye, only found GTS a couple of days before they flew out. We processed their cards and emailed them to Kololi where they were printed, laminated and ready for them when they arrived. They stayed for 2 weeks, and spent most of their time with GTS including a 5 day safari through Seneagal, the upper Gambian river and returning down the north bank to Barra ferry.
It just happened that their return was on the same Monach flight that was bringing Njundu to visit us, so they all travelled together and I met them at Gatwick and drove them into central London.
Their first reaction was that their trip to the Gambia was the best they had had and that using GTS had enabled them to do everything they planned to do and more, "it was like staying with friends". They have promised us photographs and an account of their visit.
Njundu's arrival was not without incident. He was detained at immigration because his passport was suspect, it was OK though and so only held us up for an hour. But the planned photo session of him arriving with Tony and Bec was forgotten in the excitement. I expect we will make up for it during his 8 week stay.
Foday
with the GTS Motor Bike
He brought with him the long awaited picture of Foday's GTS motorbike, shown here for the first time in public. As well as information about the children GTS is hoping to sponsor.
We expect activity with GTS to reduce now over the Gambian rainy season, this is a time for us to prepare for the new season starting in mid October, when the rains stop and the humidity falls. Njun's stay is partly holiday but mainly training.
5 Top For information on Sponsorship Children see here
