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jambo
3300 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Nov 2007 : 11:43:31
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| lily, it is hard when it is the first child you sponsored, regarding tax/moeny refund etc, i was wondering if there was a "power of attorney" guardianship situation that could be arranged for his belinging her in the UK, i would wonder if there is something here. |
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sab
United Kingdom
912 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2007 : 12:36:27
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So sorry to hear of your friend’s dilemma, we know a lot of sadness & bitterness lays ahead for everyone.
I think we know at this late stage that he will be returned.
Always be 'within reach' just like you have been here, whilst the situation and tensions settle down in The Gambia.
Well-done Lily and thank you for sticking through ‘thick & thin’ with him, true humanitarianism will reward you!
regards,
sab.
The world would be a poorer place if it was peopled by children whose parents risked nothing in the cause of social justice, for fear of personal loss. (Joe Slovo) |
The world would be a poorer place if it was peopled by children whose parents risked nothing in the cause of social justice, for fear of personal loss. (Joe Slovo - African revolutionary) |
Edited by - sab on 22 Nov 2007 12:58:31 |
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inez
279 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2007 : 16:53:35
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| Hi Lily, try to get some of his stuff packed and bring it to him before they send him...i mean personal belongings, jeans, shoes and other stuff he can maybe sell there. They will have to let him carry it, I know...been there done that. I feel for him. |
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inez
279 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2007 : 16:57:27
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Bev, sometimes you surprise me! I wonder what you would have done in his situation. The immigration laws are to be changed so people can travel and live where they want. It should not only be our right!
quote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
It is very harsh isnt it? A shame we cant do more to get the reality over to people in Africa BEFORE they attempt the journey.
I remember talking to Senegalse people in Venice, Very badly treated by the police and no rights at all.
I agree lily it is a much bigger issue than the individual case.
BUT this student abused your trust and kindess and did a runner. I dont know that I could be that forgiving of that. 
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 22 Nov 2007 : 23:55:30
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DESTINY-TO-BE!
let the will of God shatter the evil
and destiny ablaze in rains
for wherever his grain of food is
let him eat it to belly-full
While breathing freedom
a happy man untamed
and un-harmed.
Let the will of God echo
and destiny rain
for that little pillar of time
who tumbled in a strugle
while in search of green meadows
to graze his hungry calves
only to fall a victim of brutes.
The parrots' chatter is not
the plain truth but Judas'
tales of jealousy and betrayal fears
for the black multiples of time
would someday avenge the gone times
so therein lies the head uneasy
with the crown of weight.
The friends of earth amazed
as if your wrath and rough clothes
came to hunt thee, after the encounter
of the unknown plain separating encounter
now, to the coin, lies the two faces
for now, we haven't heard yours
so "Daniel come to judgement" at cyber court.
But how can your young blood be wrong
after your scholastic achievements
that won you the initial love
exposing you to the world of the Britons
struggling on two meals for a day
and helping the family at home
with theirs' in need.
But the blind won't see
so the deaf can't hear
and the spites cannot think
outside the boxes of nature
and all they see is one side
of the biased coin
to hang thee at cyber court.
In the hands of the brutes of London
the flying bird lifted a man
headed towards the west coast
traveling faster than the eye's blink
tearing clowds in the skies
and making space foot tracks at loose
destination, Gambia land.
Son and Daddy eyed in four
a forceful love of kin
blood tears dripping
down 'cats and dogs'
just like the Seattle downpours
all in failure for success
forgetting destiny is meant.
the downfall of a man
is not the end of his life
so brother in struggle
get up, wipe your dust
and start again
somewhere, lies the cake
That you can eat to live. |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2007 : 01:16:24
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Lily where there is life there is hope. When one door closes another one opens. We all have choice and when your friend decided to remain in the UK without proper papers he made the choice to take that risk and unfortunately it didn't pay off.
He is not the only illegal immigrant who has been returned and he has probably gained skills and experience whilst being in
the UK that he can utilize in Gambia. I think the onus is him now to think positive. It's an unsettling time for him but once he returns he will soon adjust and pick himself up. Hopefully he can tell others about some of the realities about leaving in the west and that the grass is not always greener on the other side. I presume this is a lesson he has learnt the hard way. I wish your friend all the best and there is in my experience real strength in pray.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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concort
365 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2007 : 09:30:20
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Hi Lily,
You have received numerous advices from this forum and it may be kind of too late for my advice. Nonetheless, I would say that since your friend did well during the 12th grade exit examination, is it feasible to pay his tuition for him at the University of the Gambia or any of the trade schools back home? If you choose to do so, I will foot half of his tuition for him for the first semester. Please let me know if you would like to take that route.
I don't know you at all but I really admire you for all that you have done for your friend. I'm sure that your friend's family would be much obliged for your candor, friendship and assistance to their son. Once again, thank you for sticking by his side during this ordeal.
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As Salamu Alaikum Waramatullah Wabarakatu |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2007 : 11:34:02
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Lily, I hope you think long and hard on Concort generous offer. This is meant to help him, but until you see him and get the full story think twice about investing time and effort in him.
Concort, this is a generous offer and you are in my prayers, but i am sure you will agree sometimes you have to take a step back from family situations in Gambia.
As a firm believer in education I have realised in Gambia it is not the only way, perhaps money could be spent on a small business for the family on the prevision that it has handled properly.
this is my contribution to the topic |
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sab
United Kingdom
912 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2007 : 13:22:37
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Dalton, DESTINY-TO-BE! we knew you had the pure word stored in poem.
No more words to be expressed!
Have a good Prayer day.
regards,
The world would be a poorer place if it was peopled by children whose parents risked nothing in the cause of social justice, for fear of personal loss. (Joe Slovo)
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The world would be a poorer place if it was peopled by children whose parents risked nothing in the cause of social justice, for fear of personal loss. (Joe Slovo - African revolutionary) |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2007 : 13:54:30
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Sab,
Thank you much. 'To whom much is given, much is expected.'
I am glad you like it. have a nice prayer too. The lord will surely after us all.
Regards,
Dalton.
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"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2007 : 14:21:51
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The wise also knew that we live in tents and shift these tents in different places, at different times and under different circumstances! Paradise earth is globalization. Live and let others
live!
Thanks friends of the Gambia and well done Lily and not for Bev! |
Edited by - kobo on 23 Nov 2007 14:24:27 |
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 23 Nov 2007 : 18:54:57
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Fantastic friends.
Thanks for the poem Dalton. Thanks for the great words Sister O and thanks for the really generous offer Concort. (I will let you know!!)
What great people you ALL are.
I managed to speak to him last night and tried to get him to be positive. I told him how much his family would be hapy to see him (it's been 7 years!). To be honest I'm almost glad his exile here has ended and now another phase of his life can begin. I will see him in December and we will discuss his future. I hope he will want to go back to learning (he's bright). I've put his brothers and sisters through school (two brothers still in GTTI) and rebuilt his compound. He will see many changes.
When I know what's happening - I will let you all know. In the meantime - thanks all for supporting me! |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2007 : 13:04:17
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lily I am happy you have stayed positive, you have done much for the family, once you help him take a step back two sisters in GTTI, fixed the compound etc.
His return could be a blessing in disguise, because has been in limbo for a while. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2007 : 22:26:57
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Inez You asked what I would have done?
If someone sponsored me and there were conditions to that I would stick to the conditions. If I was invited to a country as someone guest I wouldnt over stay my welcome.
This person and others like them make it more difficult for men to be issued with visas in Banjul. It is precisely the suspicion that they wont return that makes getting a visa more difficult. As a sponsor of several people I had considered bringing them to UK for a holiday. But stories like this really put me off. Everytime someone overstays their visa they are directly impacting on the chances of other Africans to travel freely.
Inez you also say I can live where I like. That is not true. I can live anywhere in EU. Most other deveoped countries have entrance requirements. As a 47 year old women I am too old to emigrate to most of these countries.
I enjoy the priviledge of travelling for holidays for one or two weeks at a time. I think this should be EVERYBODYS right. |
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inez
279 Posts |
Posted - 04 Dec 2007 : 18:08:26
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Bev, I understand your point but I also try to keep in my mind that desperate people do desperate things sometimes. If you sponsor someone, it doesn´t mean you own the person or the family, and will be the one to decide over their lifes. If I was poor and my family suffered and someone invited me to his/her country, I would overstay if I knew that the person inviting me wasn´t getting in trouble for that. Bev, you can travel to Gambia whenever you want, you can live there if you want to. I didn´t know your wish was to move to some so called developed country outside of EU? Are you serious when you say you are too old for that, do they really have some kind of age limits Try Florida, I know there are plenty of senior citizens there from all over the world.  No but seriously, I wish gambians/africans had right to travel or move to Europe without any sponsor or invitation. I also wish you will continue enjoying your priviliges, just try to feel for people without any priviliges at all. |
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