| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Lily |
Posted - 04 Jan 2015 : 14:45:38
A very Happy New Year everyone.
I've just returned from a two week stay. Some thoughts for you all -
The lack of tourists was truly shocking - about 80% down on a normal Christmas/New Year. Many people have little - or no - work. There is a sense of desperation everywhere you go.
Lack of foreign currency will lead to significant problems in the rainy season.
The number of young men who have left to "go the back way" is alarming. Many families have risked all their savings to send their sons but most have heard nothing -
The events of Tuesday morning were unexpected and were treated with a mixture of fear, helplessness and disappointment. No doubt this will have a further knock on effect on the fragile economy of the country.
I have been very many times over the years but this was the most poignant of visits and the saddest too - I worry for the coming year. People are wonderful and resilient but I think it will be tough in 2015. |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Lily |
Posted - 07 Jan 2015 : 19:47:10
I fully agree Rassimian with all your comments and that there is not much good news at all - everyone I met was trying so hard to secure something (rice, money, oil, work - whatever) to cover the rainy season but it was looking hopeless for a lot of people.
And also yes - Bayba are also good.
But I just can't stop thinking how much worse it must be for people in Sierra Leone etc
Lily |
| rassimian |
Posted - 06 Jan 2015 : 14:36:22
Lily, what you say about 2015 will unfortunately turn out to be true. I returned on 17 December after a couple of weeks. Everyone saying that tourism down, which was self evident. Infighting between taxi drivers cos they all want to take you. Prices for Gambians for their basic needs have increased during 2014. Rice now just under 1200 Dalasi; attaya, sugar ,flour, meat and even fish all up in price. I talk to Gambians and its hard for them. The nightwatch man (security) at my hotel does 6 12 hour shifts a week for 1800 dalasi a month. He has a wife and child and elderley parents to support- impossible on that wage. The Gambian Minister for Finance has already stated that 2015 will be a a hard year for the people (well most but not all)Some people are making money of course but the majority are still poor. When the tourist season is over those who work in it do nothing , that is they cannot get work. I love the optimism of the Gambian people though. They struggle, they work hard for little reward. I support a nursery school which unless it can get future funding may well have to close. I just read that one of the Government's key decision for 2015 is not to import foreign rice!! Thats a joke cos Gambian rice only accounts for 10% of all rice consumed and is costly.
There is not much good news coming out of Gambia. Anything spent on its infrastucture is foreign money. Gambia has a huge debt (not unlike the UK)Its economy is tied to World Bank who dictate terms for repayment.Everyone agrees that lack of tourism is down to Ebola and that things won't improve until this problem is solved (hopefully by the end of this year)
gambiabev- you want a reasonable secure way to send money. I always use Bayba ,now called Small World. You can make a payment by telephone, rates are resonable and its safe. |
| Lily |
Posted - 05 Jan 2015 : 22:04:32
Hello,
Thanks Kobo and Momodou
Bev - everything was working fine by the time I left - offices, banks etc were just closed on Tuesday. I am sure that Western Union will be ok and, unless you have another way of sending (W.U. are not the cheapest!) I would use them: they are world wide reliable.
The lack of tourists was almost certainly more scary than the guns ...... (well, for me at any rate, any loss of life is unacceptable)
I will be returning in March.
|
| gambiabev |
Posted - 05 Jan 2015 : 19:15:02
Lily can I ask you if the banking system is working properly after the coup?
I am wondering if it is best to use Western union or the official banking system.
Do you have any advice?
I really can't afford to lose the money I need to send for school fees. |
| kobo |
Posted - 05 Jan 2015 : 14:14:43
A very good USEFUL update and thanks for your consideration!
Welcome back safely and happy new year. |
| Momodou |
Posted - 05 Jan 2015 : 12:42:29
Lily, thanks for the update. |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 04 Jan 2015 : 17:53:49
Lily,true I do not know you.
I quoted your words because I thought them apt for the situation that you found Gambia in at the present time.
There are those who have visited Gambia who are readers, or even members of Bantaba in cyberspace who after their visit to Gambia have decided to send the gift of a remittance to those who they have met and that would be the end of their involvement,that is their business.
However you are fully aware of the present times and are taking a different course,my posting was just a reinforcement of your factual posting regarding the Gambia of today.
Despite being named The Smiling Coast many problems exist behind the smiles of the People of The Gambia.
I reread what I had previously written and added a few words that should solve your problem with my posting which was meant to deal with remittances in general,sorry about that .
I hope this small change clarifies my posting for you.
quote:
Originally posted by Lily
And what do you mean by the occasional remittance Toubab?
I'm afraid you don't know me.
|
| Lily |
Posted - 04 Jan 2015 : 16:48:17
And what do you mean by the occasional remittance Toubab?
I'm afraid you don't know me. |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 04 Jan 2015 : 15:52:38
Thanks Lily,maybe just the time of year to remind readers that they should bear in mind your words:
"I worry for the coming year. People are wonderful and resilient but I think it will be tough in 2015."
Maybe make a new years resolution to always remember those who you give the occasional "remittance" to and make such "essential help" a regular event ?
No work, no job, no money,no food.
Sad.
The friends in The Gambia that you visitors and readers of Bantaba in Cyberspace have made are in need of YOUR continuing help,at this moment in time. |
