Today we have the second of Tony Knight’s pieces for the blog – the follow up to his Gambian Delight which appeared last week. We all agree this is a lovely inspiring piece and we wish Armstrong all the luck in the world now that he has finished his course and is looking to find a job to best utilise his considerable skills. We also endorse what Tony says about just giving the smallest amount and the effect it can have; and if you have any stationery at all (and let’s be honest, pens breed don’t they?!) then do take them with you as they are always gratefully received.
Armstrong with his certificate. Image by Tony Knight.
Visitors to The Gambia are frequently told that the country is the kind of place to make friends. In some ways it would be difficult not to, as I found out when I went to write a travel article in November 2006. Recording impressions of life in Gambia at the Kombo Beach Hotel, Kotu, I interviewed a 25 year old security guard in what was a life-changing experience – for us both. Amadou Sowe, or Armstrong as he is known, is soft spoken and explained that he worked a 12 hour rotating shift, 6 days a week, for £23 pounds a month. He was supporting himself, and since the death of his father, his mother and 11 siblings. The loss of the bread-winner meant a move to Cassamance in Senegal, where they work on Amadou’s uncle’s farm.
He seemed educated, ambitious and his situation moved me, as he appeared to be trapped with no opportunity of improvement. It put my own life in the UK into perspective. On my return, Armstrong’s emails hinted that he’d like to study for a professional qualification. Although not really equipped to take on sponsorship, I wanted to help him try to improve his life. I decided to take a chance and he began studying at CTCI in Serrekunda and later at The University of Gambia on a three year London Centre of Marketing course, which on completion of 16 subjects would award him four diplomas in Sales and Marketing Management. This would be no mean feat, as it involved working his shifts at night, cycling home, then to College four mornings a week, whilst studying and resting.
Over the past three years Armstrong, as he is known, has passed all 16 exams and achieved 9 distinctions and 3 merits among his grades. He has shown himself to be honest, open and diligent in his journey to self-improvement and is widely considered outstanding. He is looking to widen his experience and I am confident would be an asset to any organisation. No doubt given the opportunity he will, in time, help to strengthen the profile and standing of Marketing in The Gambia.
Bring your pens and pencils! Image by Tony Knight
There are many small ways you can help. Simply put some pens and paper in a suitcase for a local school, they are always gratefully received. I was impressed by The Gambia Experience’s School Development Fund, which raises on average about 300,000 dalasi annually for improvements and provision of facilities. Some guests have been inspired to make larger donations and support for specific schools.
The Gambia School Development Fund. Image by Tony Knight.
Thanks again to Tony for these pieces. If you want to see more of his work you can find it on his website.
