of stress and frustrations

Having just read the story of the plight of young Gambian Amadou Jallow I felt moved to reiterate a piece I wrote a year or so ago of misconceptions about there being a better life in Europe. For some maybe, but for a large majority it is not always the case. Yes, if they are able to find work and a decent place to live, then life can be much easier than in The Gambia. But in these days of recession and unemployment you have to either have friends or family in your chosen country or be very resourceful.

It is so sad that many of these young men feel unable to return to their families for fear of being chastised for not making something of themselves. It is admirable that they have been sending a good deal of any money they do make, home, to help their families. That I know this is the African way and many other cultures do the same. If anyone from the West decides to try a new life elsewhere they do not feel duty bound to take care of the families they leave behind, unless of course it is their wives and children. Mostly they accompany them anyway. This means they have a chance of making a better life for themselves and then one day being able to help their families if the need arises.

Barbara Scott

It is a struggle for lots of families here in the UK to meet the rising costs of fuel, rents, household bills etc. We do have a good support system which is taken advantage of by many people who have not contributed in any way towards it. It causes a lot of bitterness and resentment in those who have, as you can well imagine. At least in The Gambia, however hard life might be, there is always a good family backup network. From what I have seen everyone helps each other in times of need. It's a pity that young men like Amadou are led to believe that this is what happens elsewhere. It doesn't!