Let me immediately tell you what happened to me: just like that I have a connection now with The Gambia and especially the village of Sotokoi. And that through love… yes yes yes… I met a (very nice) man on Samos!

It can be strange… Did I have to come all the way to Samos to meet the man of my dreams? Not to mention the trip he had to make from The Gambia… The relationship is still young, but promising…

That is why I have decided to visit The Gambia this winter (if corona and my finances allow it of course).

I have even made Frosch Sportreisen (the organization with which I organize yoga/hiking weeks on Samos) enthusiastic for this country. Maybe they’ll join me in organizing special weeks there, too.

In addition, my friend and I conceived the plan to support his home village of Sotokoi. It is a poor village in the interior of The Gambia. The idea is that I will visit this village in winter and offer any relief supplies. But we need help! On Samos, a group of people are already busy raising money. Of course, more is always welcome.

Below is information about The Gambia and the village of Sotokoi.

If you are interested in supporting the village (you can do so by donating money or goods), please write me an email: contact@marjaani.nl.

Or use the bank account that is written below.

The people there may really need it!

The Gambia, the smiling coast of Africa

The Gambia, officially the Republic of the Gambia, is a country in West Africa. It is the smallest country within mainland Africa and is surrounded by Senegal, except for its western coast on the Atlantic Ocean.

The Gambia is situated on both sides of the lower reaches of the Gambia River, the nation’s namesake, which flows through the centre of the Gambia and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. It has an area of 10,689 square kilometres with a population of about 2,2 million people. Banjulis the Gambian capital and the country’s largest metropolitan area. The largest cities are Serekunda and Brikama.

The Gambia’s economy is dominated by farming, fishing and especially tourism. In 2015, 50% of the population lived in poverty. In rural areas, poverty is even more widespread, at almost 70%.

Sotokoi

The village Sotokoi is situated in Niamina East, one of the ten districts of the Central River Division of The Gambia.

In total, in a wide range around the village, it has about 2.000 inhabitants. They are all farmers. They cultivate groundnut, rice, beans and corn.

The rain season is the period to cultivate. It goes from June until Octobre. The period is to short to sustain food for the whole year.

At the age of 13 to 14 the children have to walk 5 kilometres to get to school. They walk either to Kudang upper basic school or to Jarreng high school. Some families can not afford it to send their children to school.

Also the hospital is 5 kilometres away from the village. When people are sick, they are brought to the hospital on a donkey-cart (also women in labour).

Many things are needed in the village, but at first we would like to focus on:

-clothes and shoes

-bicycles for the children to go to school

-medical gloves for use in the hospital

I M Sotokoi The Gambia Foundation

For more information: contact@marjaani.nl

To transfer your donation:

Dutch Bank account M. Niemeijer NL17INGB0000558046

BIC BANK INGBNL2A

Stating: “Support Sotokoi”

Your support is very much appreciated!