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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Jan 2007 : 17:36:56
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HOPE FOR “BUMSTERS”
By Amie Sanneh
To address the issue of “bumsters”, a multi-faceted project for their upkeep is said to be underway.
In an interview with the brain behind the project, Ousman Kebbeh, said this project, which is expected to start in January, is meant to train youths who were repatriated on skills as waiters or waitresses, guides, drivers.
He said he came up with this project to help the bumsters because the “bumster” phenomenon has long been an obstacle to the national problem of investment in the tourism sector in the country, which they want to address.
He added that tourists complain a lot about the hassle and harassment they sometimes receive from “bumsters.”
Mr. Kebbeh pointed out that this harassment they receive from “bumsters” is contained in a survey they conducted recently. He said 67 percent of tourists said they would never come back to The Gambia.
“It is a high percentage which is driving me into the project in order to help them,” said Mr. Kebbeh.
He, however, revealed that some of the bumsters have good certificates but that job opportunities are lacking.
“Each bumster has a dream and they want to help their families settle down. That is why we have to help them and stop describing them as criminals,” he posited.
The criteria of this project, Mr. Kebbeh revealed will include a national Identity card and a certificate of character from the police . This, he noted, will help them not to involve any criminal in their project. He said this first project will mainly deal with the positive ones and that plans are underway to involve the negative ones. “We want to gain credibility in this project,” he said.
Mr. Kebbeh revealed that in 1999 he conducted a similar survey which was a success and the youths involved are now absorbed by the Department of Tourism as official tourist guides.
Mr. Kebbeh called on all to make this project a success. He also urged the tourism industry to employ those who have undergone the training in their industry.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 002/2007, 5-7 December, 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jan 2007 : 21:39:02
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Good idea to help these guys to build a better future, to give them an education. But as guides or drivers? Maybe i am wrong, but i sometimes feel there are more (taxi)drivers in the Gambia than there are tourists, i can see the long queues of green taxis opposite Palma Rima (even when the hotel is closed) and the drivers trying to get through the long day, sitting and talking, making attaya. A lot of the tourists in the Gambia are 'repeaters'; they have their own friends, driving them around. And the road upcountry is so bad..........you don't earn much, driving people to the crocodile pool or just drive them to a restaurant in Senegambia. And when they have been trained to be a driver, how do they get a car?
How about the building industry or car repair? Honestly, i am trying hard to think of good alternatives. Who of you has better suggestions? |
When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jan 2007 : 22:07:47
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quote:
Originally posted by anna
Good idea to help these guys to build a better future, ?
How about the building industry or car repair? Honestly, i am trying hard to think of good alternatives. Who of you has better suggestions?
Anna
Yes
Yes
Yes,
I agree totally,Tourist guides taxi drivers,there are already too many of these folk doing NOTHING for most of the time, train the youths in building, car repair,but do it PROPERLY with the proper tools and instructors who have been exposed to the modern ways of doing things,lets say goodbye to buildings that so often exist in Gambia that are substandard,every year we read of compounds that have been washed away by the rains, yes do it, but do it properly!As for cars,well the many mechanics have little or no knowledge of cars and trucks even if they do fix the broken part you can bet your bottom dollar that after a couple of days you will be back with another fault to fix,the reason, simple I can eat today this is my job,and what have they done,fiddled and loosened something else that will take a couple of days to appear then surprise surprise your car breaks down again.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab
Gambia
92 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jan 2007 : 23:02:34
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| Add painters, decorators, electricians, carpenters, plumbers, masons, gardeners to your list, with the proper training and tools they could take back the work here that is being done by skilled Senegalese workers! |
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anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2007 : 00:11:53
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Well, lots of toubabs around here suddenly, that might make that this well-meant advice doesn't stand much of a chance..........
Still, i am sure that the other toubabs reacting here are just as serious about this as i am. The article doesn't make clear if this project is government-supported. In whose name is Mr Kebbeh starting up this project? |
When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2007 : 11:35:14
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I have been told that the taxi service and guide service is now at over capacity. It is easy to see. For the guys to make a living they need contacts in the hotels to pass the tourists to them. On the streets there is very little 'cold' business. Most of the tour operators advise people AGAINST using locals, so they get more money for their group tours. I think this is immoral! People being told its not safe. RUBBISH!!!
As in England, a craft or skill is at high premium and could earn someone a living. SADLY many Gambias I have come across are quite arrogant about those sorts of jobs (SORRY, BUT TRUE!). They only want a job that is a 'clean job' in an office or such like. One friend of mine who is a serious muslim thinks many jobs are beneath him!!!! In England many people do boring low paid jobs to earn a living and I think people in Gambia should be prepared to do the same. Surely it is better to take any job that is offered and then from there progress, rather than sit around making tea all day?!   |
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Galo Sowe
Sweden
116 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2007 : 11:55:25
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quote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
....One friend of mine who is a serious muslim thinks many jobs are beneath him!!!!...
Do you think that attitude has something to do with his religion? If you do then why? If not then I think it is irrelevant to mention what religion your friend has. |
"Soldiers are experts at camouflage but that is on the battle field not the political one, were transparency is the watch word" Kaaniba |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2007 : 12:52:46
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[quote]Originally posted by anna
Well, lots of toubabs around here suddenly, that might make that this well-meant advice doesn't stand much of a chance..........
Er... Why?
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2007 : 13:14:03
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It may taste after colonialism; WE knowing so well what is good for THEM. I can see the reactions coming............
I was also not very happy with Bev's remark that her friend 'was a good Muslim'. What does that have to do with anything??
Toubab1020, i am sure you didn't want to patronise (for all i know you might not even be a toubab) just as i don't want to give the impression that i would know what's best for the
Gambia. Absolutely not, mine were just some observations. I always wonder why it is that there seem to be lots of things to do to build up the country and so few people to do it. And then, when you show your (white) face somewhere, 20 guys jump on you (figure of speech) to offer you their taxi - they all seem to be desperate to make a few dalasis. |
When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2007 : 13:30:27
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| I have tought about what I have said previously,well meant comments I assure you but a few things I have failed to consider,who can pay for the necessary equipment?,which Gambian can afford to buy the necessary things to carry out the job that he has recieved training for?which Gambian can afford to pay for a proper job?If the answers to all these questions are I don't know,then there is no point at all in considering any changes,Anyone got any ideas about that? |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2007 : 19:46:09
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i am glad that these changes have been addressed, but it would be interesting to see "which bumsters qualify" for training. An answer for the taxis is to make all taxi drivers gambian. how many times do you get in a taxi and it is a nigerian, liberian, serra leone. a bit more patriosim would create jobs.
Also the hotels should only employ gambian staff, some hotels and not gambians working for them.
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jan 2007 : 08:42:02
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I am proud of Gambia as even as a poor country it accepts refuges from other places. There is a red cross camp up country with refuges from the war in Serra Leone. I would hate gambia to become protectionist, it seems to go against the whole nature of the people.
Perhaps a percentage of jobs should be for Gambians?
My friends religion is relevant in the sense I was trying to make clear he wasnt a 'waster', he is keen to work, but just in certain areas. eg He has a car, but wouldnt be a bumster. Doesnt want to mix with 'those type of people', doesnt like rastas and weed! THAT IS HIM, NOT ME!!! |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jan 2007 : 15:29:32
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Mr Kebbah initiative is to be commended, let's hope more initatives bring better prospects for the young unemployed other than trying to escape poverty through bogus marriages to gullible middle aged tourists.
Peace Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 08 Jan 2007 17:54:12 |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jan 2007 : 16:01:07
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The light has just gone on    HMMM thanks sister |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jan 2007 : 22:31:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Sister Omega
Mr Kebbah initiative is to be commended, let's hope more initatives bring better prospects for the young unemployed other than trying to escape poverty through bogus marriages to gullible middle aged tourists.
Peace Sister Omega
""Bogus Marriages to gullible middle aged tourists!!!
I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT HAPPENS!!!!! |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jan 2007 : 22:44:58
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People queue every day in Banjul to perform marriage of convienience so some young black guy can get his papers.
The office condones this. It is explict and open.
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