| Author |
 Topic  |
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Aug 2009 : 10:17:28
|
If you give a loan in Gambia with the expectation of it being repaid, in my experience most times you will be disappointed. It's best not to give out what you can't afford to loose.
Small businesses for women is a good way to help families as that way the women control the money and it will usually be used to improve the lives of the children within the family with better food, clothes and education.
My advice to anyone in UK is don't have a baby named after you!!  The requests for money will keep coming!!! |
 |
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2009 : 10:25:41
|
You said it Bro. couldn't agree more,its simple really,once you know the system its "Gambia no problem"
quote:
Originally posted by faderabraham
hi..you guys are a breath of fresh air ...
what you said is absolutely correct..
if gambians living abroad go home they are given more hassle than us twobobs...
they never appreciate and i thought it was just us twobobs
it really is difficult for you gambian abroad i would go as far as to say worse than us percieved superich twobobs--tenpence--tourists..
hey but we all still LOVE THE GAMBIA & its people
kind regards
fads
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
|
kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2009 : 11:16:25
|
Great posts all of you, but there is another side of this distinctly Gambian (perhaps Senegambian) problem. There is a culture of giving and expectation of giving in the Gambia that is countrary to development.
Gambians generally believe that those who struggle and give out their hard earned resources to others, especially relatives are the ones who prosper. And many Gambians take great pleasure at spending carelessly on others (relatives) (sometimes at the risk of self-neglect) because of the kind words and praises they get in return in the community. Those who are known for being thrifty-save and invest their money on themselves and their future- are often castigated and considered either wicked or losers. It is good to help others, and all of the scenarios mentioned above have happened to me also. I have started businesses for people, nothing worked; they have named their children after my wife (not me because they know me...) and we threw in our dollars at every occasion without any expression of appreciation. Sometimes you trust them with your life-savings, everything disappears. Everything you give to such people, they think you have millions more... Instead of them working hard (just like you are), they instead pray for you to have more so you can continue to bankroll them and their children...
It is just frustrating... |
Edited by - kayjatta on 26 Aug 2009 11:18:26 |
|
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2009 : 11:55:42
|
Kay, all you say is true,I am very surprised that there is such a consensus among posters,this is unusual as you will know,where are those who always argue with anything that is common sense? it is nobodys intention to knock Gambians I am sure,but from what has been posted on this topic it is very clear that the culture that exists amongst Gambians MUST change if Gambia is to develop from a place of constant failiure to a country of steady progress.How is this to be achieved? H.E.'s farms and other enterprises are a success,why? could it be that at the moment the Gambian people are unable to manage in an improving society without a "direct order" environment in which to function?
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2009 : 12:04:28
|
Even though I am a bloke, women are the dynamo in the Gambia and this has been recognised by the government with many schemes in place,this I think is a way to change,and improve the Gambia where at the moment the women DO MOST OF THE WORK.
quote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
If you give a loan in Gambia with the expectation of it being repaid, in my experience most times you will be disappointed. It's best not to give out what you can't afford to loose.
Small businesses for women is a good way to help families as that way the women control the money and it will usually be used to improve the lives of the children within the family with better food, clothes and education.
My advice to anyone in UK is don't have a baby named after you!! The requests for money will keep coming!!!
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 26 Aug 2009 12:06:13 |
|
|
|
jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2009 : 13:50:44
|
supporting the women with a small start up loan/ or gift to getthem started in some sort of business helps in so many ways. each one I have helped has kept the business going, has an income, has status and has their own money. Each wanted a market stall or roadside food stall, selling fruit or what they could. They still have it. Lots of disappointment stories, but I advised everyone to put a time limit on giving/helping, make it a one off gift/loan, of payment for school fees for one year only. That way there is no expectations.
|
|
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2009 : 14:11:46
|
Yes I would consider a loan to a woman for an enterprise over a man.
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2009 : 18:09:44
|
In my experience in Gambia women come up with small scale projects that are practical and workable.
Many Gambian men think small things are beneath them and want to go for a big project. Often these grander projects fail!
It is strange to me that Gambian and Senegalese are so interrelated and yet in my experience MOST of the hard working people in the hotels etc are Woolf, senegalese, rather than Gambian. Can anyone explain that?
I have also had Gambian people at the hotel and village saying they were praying for my good fortune. I did think that was cute, until I realised that it was out of self interest. They wanted me to do well so I would give them a cut!!!
|
|
|
|
faderabraham
203 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2009 : 23:27:29
|
i dont think you can class all the gambians the same they is good and bad in all countries but in my experoence of gambians, i have found the women to be the most loyal,
|
|
|
|
snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2009 : 23:59:54
|
| Very true. But from the forgoing posts it appears the average Gambia is unable to show appreciation with the simple words Thank You |
Edited by - snuggels on 27 Aug 2009 00:00:21 |
|
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 27 Aug 2009 : 10:40:05
|
quote:
Originally posted by snuggels
Very true. But from the forgoing posts it appears the average Gambia is unable to show appreciation with the simple words Thank You
Snuggles I agree,its no good saying "its a culture thing" its total bad manners,and lack of concern for the giver wether they be "friends" or part of the extended family..I am very surprised that there has been no disagreement with what has been written in this topic those who have posted are obviously residents in countries outside Gambia.
I think that this topic has now run its course and contary arguements have not been made maybe through embarrasement or other reasons.I strongly agree with prince too when he says there are good and bad in all countries. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
|
kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 27 Aug 2009 : 11:23:45
|
quote:
Originally posted by kayjatta
Great posts all of you, but there is another side of this distinctly Gambian (perhaps Senegambian) problem. There is a culture of giving and expectation of giving in the Gambia that is countrary to development.
Gambians generally believe that those who struggle and give out their hard earned resources to others, especially relatives are the ones who prosper. And many Gambians take great pleasure at spending carelessly on others (relatives) (sometimes at the risk of self-neglect) because of the kind words and praises they get in return in the community. Those who are known for being thrifty-save and invest their money on themselves and their future- are often castigated and considered either wicked or losers. It is good to help others, and all of the scenarios mentioned above have happened to me also. I have started businesses for people, nothing worked; they have named their children after my wife (not me because they know me...) and we threw in our dollars at every occasion without any expression of appreciation. Sometimes you trust them with your life-savings, everything disappears. Everything you give to such people, they think you have millions more... Instead of them working hard (just like you are), they instead pray for you to have more so you can continue to bankroll them and their children...
It is just frustrating...
Most often these are people you truly love and would be always glad to assist, if they do not abuse your assistance and show expressed appreciation for it.
In the Western world, individual help even from family is hard to come by. Pretty much everyone has to do all they can to help themselves, unless those who want to depend on the limited government assistance,but even that one has to qualify...
I have seen the ugly side of extreme individualism and purpoted self-reliance in the U.S. particularly where a significant number of the elderly and other disadvanteged routinely fall through the cracks. But at least self-reliance, in all its forms, encourages everyone to do his/her bit towards self and by extension towards the common good of the society.
Dependency sort of spreads the resources among the hard-working and the not-so-hard-working thereby preventing, at least in theory, the smart ones from prospering any further. The "bread winner" concept in the Gambia is very distructive..., it is a thousand times misused. |
|
|
|
toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 27 Aug 2009 : 12:00:51
|
Thanks .
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
