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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Apr 2006 : 09:55:20
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I visited Pirang on Sunday 19th March to receive the sad news that Kebba Touray had died in Cuba. I had never met him, but know his sister. My friend and guide Lamin Dibba took me to greet the family. It was a very emotional scene for me. The father of the family was laid in bed very ill, dying. All the family were there: 3 wives, children, grandchildren. They took my straight into the room to be with him. I spoke to them about how difficult it must be to be waiting for the body of their loved one to be returned from overseas.Then I tried to explain that in England lots of old people that are dying would be in hospital and be lonely. I said to the father that he was very fortunate to have a loving and caring family surrounding him at this time. Grandchildren were running in and out of the room, sitting on the bed, chatting. Death is not hidden in Gambia, it is part of life.
Because of the death of Kebba my guides wedding to Kebbas sister Alimatou had to be postponed. I understand this completely, but was a little disappointed not to be able to witness the wedding.
I then went to greet my guides family. They are like my own family in Pirang now. It feels like going home. The family are building a lovely new house in their compound. Lamin wants to provide for his mother and fathers old age, to make sure they are looked after and comfortable.
Whilst I was at the house, two ladies arrived to greet me. They had a present for me: a live chicken! I was completely overcome. These people are very poor even by Gambian standards and they gave me a present! I gave the chicken to Lamins mother..explaining that I was very touched by the gesture but I couldnt take it home on the plane!
These ladies were from the family of Sera, the little girl I am considering bringing to England. I went to visit the family. The mother is alone with the children, the father has run off and takes no resposibility for his 7 children. The mother looked worryingly thin and ill. Each time I visit she is a little weaker. We had a very long discussion via Lamin. It was very emotional. She basically gave Sera over to my care. I said I would NEVER take her birth mothers place, but I could see that the mother needs help. I said I would be Seras second mother and help with her care. IF she comes to England in the future I will care for her like my own daughter. I love her. But I dont want to take her away from her Gambian roots.
What a day! I LOVE Pirang and the people. It is such a friendly village. I arrived back at Kotu exhausted by the emotion of the day. What a priviledge to be invited into peoples compounds and be treated like part of the family. I have so much respect for the Gambian way of life. So now aswell as my Gambian family in Pirang (DIBBAS) I have my daughter Sera. This is a responsiblity I will take very seriously.
I will write more later......
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salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 17:00:43
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| what an experienced!It also shows how generous you are. |
Edited by salimina |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 17:07:26
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| Thank you. I believe in Karma...if you give you will receive. My life is so much better and happier since I have visited Gambia in every way. The friendships I have made in Gambia will hopefully stand the test of time. I am genuinely compassionate about the plight of Gambian people in Gambia and feel at home in the Gambian villages I visit. |
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salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 17:12:12
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| Thanks, i wish we could have as many gambiabev. Thats great of you. |
Edited by salimina |
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dave
Ireland
89 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 17:21:49
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I believe you ARE genuine Bev. I also have gained spiritually from what I have done in The Gambia so I know how you feel. Although you have only spent a total of 6 weeks there, you have learned fast. Gambians are immensely proud people as you may know and need to be respected, not in accordance with European ideals, but for their own beliefs and culture. We Europeans could learn a lot from Africans in general quote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
Thank you. I believe in Karma...if you give you will receive. My life is so much better and happier since I have visited Gambia in every way. The friendships I have made in Gambia will hopefully stand the test of time. I am genuinely compassionate about the plight of Gambian people in Gambia and feel at home in the Gambian villages I visit.
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 17:26:20
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Thanks Dave, that means alot after all the criticism today. 
I think we can learn alot from community life in the villages. This is how my working class great grandparents and grandparents lived. Somewhere along the road to material affluence WE have lost so much.
I REALLY believe that. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2006 : 17:26:43
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You are in a good place, keep up the good work. I believe in Gambia we all have tales of woe, but some of tales of good things, places, times and people.
regards
Y |
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Pappa
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2006 : 07:03:13
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Gambiabev,
I'm deeply touched with your experience, although, it's not new to me because, it's the reality, this is how most Gambians are; friendly, down-to-earth, humble and basically satisfied with our way of lifestyle, and in addendum, appreciative of our people and those who've departed this lifetime as well. I'm very happy that a non-Gambian experiences such thing and gets to share it with the rest of the world. Keep up the good thing you doing for those folks, surely you shall be rewarded for it, peace. |
When opportunity and prepareness meet, it leads to success!
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bamba
Sweden
401 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2006 : 13:01:13
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| Gambiabev, the benevolent aspect of your Gambian trip makes us dumb---difficulty to find fitting descriptive words. We await an update of the convivial aspect with anxiety. U seem to b a kind lady. |
Bamba |
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Janky
United Kingdom
92 Posts |
Posted - 18 Apr 2006 : 16:35:21
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| Gambiabev,I too feel like you each time I visit my family (husband's) in Gambia. I love the people so much. We are building in Gambia at the moment, not in the "blackpool of Gambia" area but in the family compound. This is so that when we go to Gambia I can "live" with my family while I am there. My huband's best friend in Gambia has named his little girl after me and just 2 months ago my sister in law named her baby girl after my daughter. It is a honour for this to have happened. I also sponser, with my husband, 6 children with their education and will do EVERYTHING that I possibly can to help them have a good future to build their country up and hopefully have a better life for the future generations.If it was finacially possible I would live in Gambia and also try to find a job to help my family. This is MY DREAM that hopefully may one day become a possibilty. |
Janky |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 18 Apr 2006 : 16:45:37
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| I would love to hear more from you about your experiences. You can email me at dearnleyfamily@hotmail.com |
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