Lamin lives in The Gambia and lost his parents several years ago. I met him in 2019 and since that time my wife and I have built a relationship as surrogate parents to him and his siblings. He is raising himself and his 3 siblings Ousman, Billad and Fatima. In February of that year, they had what was left of a shelter to call home. There was no roof and no doors or windows. Rain was soaking all of their clothing items and keeping the floors muddy as well as creating health issues. Animals were also coming into the small home at night and biting them. It was very scary and hard to sleep through a night. We helped them get a roof and a door. We also helped them build a wall around the compound and put a gate up. Lamin and his siblings worked extremely hard to make the bricks and build the wall.
Malaria is a big problem there and two of them suffered through that and we were able to help them with doctor's fees. The hospitals there won't see you without first paying. We are not able to send big items to them. They don't seem to make it through the mail. They have attempted 3 times to send gifts that they made to us and only 1 shipment came through. I asked them not to send anything from that point.
Because there are few trades that allow them to create an income, Lamin has a business plan for a small store. His letter is below with some of the plan. He wants to be self-sufficient and not rely on others for help. Where he is - Brikama, they require a business license which costs around $1,000 USD. The four of them eat rice mostly and they can survive on $150 per month USD, but they are not getting the nutrition they need as children. (Lamin is now 21 and is the oldest of the four.)
We are asking for help for them to be able to obtain a business license and open a small trade and grocery store to supply the nearby villagers who have little access to food and other small items. I believe he will do well as he has done everything we have asked of him. He currently cuts wood in the forest and sells it to earn some income, but this is hard work without anything but a small hand saw and he has gotten injured more than once.
Here's one letter of many:
Good afternoon Uncle.
Well it’s been long since I’ve asked support from you whereby I can get to do some business here which could bring a better and brighter future towards me and my siblings. They’re going to be good helping me through with the business and honestly this could be the only way out as we are struggling and finding life really hard down here.
Please we are asking again for help to make sure that we don’t keep asking you for money all the time because I feel shameful doing so most of the time uncle and with such emergencies that comes, no one knows what the future might bring that’s why I had to say this out to you again. Please See what you can do to help us out please Uncle, how is everyone doing ?
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Here is the reasoning behind his idea to support his family and nearby village:
From Lamin:
Good evening uncle.
I’ve came up with answers and also asked people about the questions to get back to you as soon.
1: None of the people in our village walk for two hours because there is no distance between us.
2: Almost all the young people struggle because poverty rate is really high.
3: You can only be paid when you completed your education or hard working labor but even though people are being paid less.
4: Civil Services, Mason works, Carpentry works.
5: Business ( Everyday stuffs that people consume or need daily, Eg Rice, Sugar , Oil , Fuel and Cosmetics.
This has been the research I’ve made and I know about the situation with the questions you’ve asked. How have your day been so far.
Love you Uncle.
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Mother Teresa:
"If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives: Be kind anyway. If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies: Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank people will try to cheat you: Be honest anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight: Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous of you: Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten by tomorrow: Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough: Give your best anyway."
