The Gambia Project

My good friend Ryan Reichert started a penpal exchange with a Gambian and American schools. Its a great program that opens dialogue between Gambian and American children. If you know of a school that would like to start a letter exchange program, please let me know. I helped Ryan with the photography of the children so the pictures will be included with their letters. Here are the images for everyone to see.
The school also is seeking donations of school supplies, please donate to this wonderful school that is trying to make a difference with the youth of The Gambia. DO IT!

Helping The Face of Bakau planning team with posters, invites and tickets for their upcoming show. The winners get school sponsorship and other prizes. So all the locals here, please come and support the event!

I am working with a local production group on Gambia’s Dance Off competition. Assisting them with posters and flyer’s for the program. There is truly some raw talent here! You think you have mad dancing skills back at home, check some of these moves!

I was at the Arch yesterday while photographing Safi Manneh for the Rotary International Magazine. These children kept on getting into the shot so I had to take their photo so they would go away. It was a beautiful day yesterday compared to all the rain we have received.
A little about the arch:
Arch 22 is one of the largest and most impressive buildings in The Gambia. Built to commemorate the 22 July 1994 peaceful coup, it houses a museum at the top which affords spectacular views over Banjul.

Ramadan finished here and yesterday was Koriteh holiday. Here again is Fatou and Adama. Little Fatou made the pledge to Allah and wears the veil now. Wish all of you could meet them, respectful and little girls with attitude!

Fatou is six years old and Adama is 10 years old. These are two of the girls that we had the chance to sponsor in the past. I paid for their school fees, new uniform, bags, and shoes. School has already started and for sure they are looking great now for another school term, thanks to all the sponsors! In the past, we have sponsored ten children with their school fees and we really need to continue to help them. Education is everything here and I need your support to continue. Please contact me on how you can make a donation. Nothing is too small here.

Well, on the fourth day of Koriteh, after Ramadan, The Lollipop Chickz will have their second talent show. The first one was a great hit and about 200 young Gambian’s came out for a great time. I want to thank Bev, Marti and Sarah for their donations on lollipops, I have a total of 1,200!!!!
Thanks for the support, just the little things in life make a huge difference here.
Here is the poster that I shot and designed for the event:

I was out on a photo shoot and met this young girl with a nice Sony DSLR camera. Of course it was the first time to see someone just casually out taking photos of random things. She showed me some of her shots and they were pretty impressive. Its always interesting to see how another person observes and captures that moment through a frame.

The Peace Corps Country Director saw Ebou Ceesay doing some very nice Lionel Richie covers at a local restaurant near my house. He just finished recording his album “So life is” and wanted to help design a simple and clean Album cover. Ebou is a very talented musician!