the gambia

[mandimoo]

my friend is visiting a family she sponsors in the gambia and would like to take some gifts that they would appreciate and enjoy. any suggestions?

[Pomp]

Things like, pens, paper, pencils, and footballs, have always gone done well with children.

[filthiestfis]

A bar of soap-I'm not kidding.

[nickmo]

School bags are welcomed - lightweight for the kids type of thing - stuffed full of note books, excersise books, pens etc...as suggested.

If they take toys for kids, non-war things should be taken - not toy guns etc.....and nothing needing batteries either...

Also suggest they check with the organisation they are with for the sponsorship, as they may have list of items wanted by the families that the visiting family could provide - wheelbarrows, watering cans and the like come to mind, though not as carry on luggage..........

Mosquito nets may be useful - light and easy to transport, and may go towards malaria prevention...persistant problem of course..

Wind up radios and torches are easy to obtain and might do as well...

And kids clothes perhaps - 'value packs' of tee shirts and the like might be suitable....

How might they be for a dinner service? Sounds silly buit a robust 'picnic set' of plates and bowls including strong cups could be used by all the family.

There is a bit of presumption that the hosts will have absolutely nothing hence the contact to the sponsorship company first, but things as proper presents - and not to overwhelm the family receiving them either....and showing some thought too rather than just chucking money at them would be welcomed.

hope this is of use...

[nickmo]

Meant to add a basic first aid kit for the family might be useful - antiseptic cream/ointment and wipes, plasters, disinfectant, adhesive dressings, cotton wool, etc for minor grazes that we deal with without a though but the simplest cuts can get very nasty in the tropics...painkillers might be added but again contact the sponsorship organisation about what is suitable ......

[JonnoGenie]

Sorry to be a nay-sayer, but why if you're going to Gambia does anyone feel a need to bring 'gifts for the natives'; would you do similar if visiting say Norway or Singapore?

You'll get plenty enough of the 'big-white-chief' must feel guilty and give us things stuff, and they try and ply as much money out of you from your first day (the jewellery sellers at the beach are normally at the head of the pack for this).

For heavens sake don't encourage the mobbing of tourists for material goods. BUT, quietly and in a dignified manner make a donation to a school or local aid agency, where your charity might do most good.

[mandimoo]

hi jonnogenie, yes you have a good point. when i said gifts, i didnt really mean gold watches and x-boxes!! i understand that 'material' things as such are pointless. i like the idea of paper and pencils though, and i will pass your comments to my friend regarding donating to the local school or aid agency. i wholeheartedly agree that we shouldnt encourage the mobbing of tourists - i went to goa a couple of years ago, and that aspect was a nightmare (selfishly, for me the tourist)

[JonnoGenie]

Hi Mandimoo,
I expect that you will be offered (and there is so little to do there) that you will do a visit a local school. apart from 'guilt-trips' to slave camps, that is about it.
Anyway.... the trip to the school, and talking to the head-teacher, is the time to give genuine charity, and really meets the needs.
{Tossing crayons at the natives will never do anything}
p.s. Sorry, but this kind of thing really ****** me off, and I think you concur and understand why....

[legend758duo]

i spoke to a woman and her daughter last week about the gambia.
they go once a year and love it.

[JonnoGenie]

Having been to many countries (30-40), and lived in many , my opinion is that it is nothing special.

The guilt trip over slavery to get money out of you, is all that stands out a few years after...