By Malang Darbo, Bristol | 8 June 2024
The therapy began with a throwback to the past: the construction of the 5-classroom blocks at the Gunjur Primary school as was then called, as the first major test bed of a seminal idea that successfully married two seemingly diametrically opposed communities of the North and South for the next 42 years!
Going back through the ashes of history often evokes emotions, joys and laughters and so does narration of every momentary episode in the life of Marlborough/Gunjur Link.
Before the Link, Anita Bew, never set foot beyond the contours of her country, the furthest being the Isle of White, but with a singular conviction and commitment to the idea of a shared humanity anchored on the philosophy of mutual learning from each others' cultures, she found herself in the whirlpool of tempest attendant to the birth of the Link.
Putting the idea to test was the first ambitious and no less generally desired project which the other partner in this mutuality found truly fitting to help equalize the economic and social conditions of the other.
With the full participation of every single Kabilo of the town by taking turns in labour, the work began in earnest and the deputy head master of the school Mr Momodou Bojang (fondly called Mr Bojang), who was also the indigene of the town joyfully promised to sponsor an English meal to be prepared by Anita should the construction reach a lentil. The later agreed to the deal.
True to his words, upon reaching the lentil, a live chicken was brought to Anita who was in complete awe of what to do, as she had never seen or witnessed a chicken being slaughtered in her presence. The chicken was slaughtered, defeathered and ready for cooking. She too went to the local market and bought the necessary accompaniments for a perfect English meal! Now ready with all the preparations, the cooking started on an open fire, which was the daily preoccupation of the women of Gambia and Africa generally, a method she had never done. Strangely, the food came out brilliantly cooked and spicy as had not even imagined.
Every part of the story got everyone of us animated as the characters are either a relation, a teacher or a mentor of sort.
Incidentally, two of us: Mr Fakebba Bojang (Lee) and I were among the beneficiaries of the newly constructed classrooms - The Marlborough Block, and classmates for a year!
Fakebba's father Ba Omar Bojang and brother Bekai Bojang (of blessed memories ) were among the carpenters that roofed the entire block, further confirming our direct connection to the project.
As one piece of story to another were retold in a form of reliving the past, a brilliant Gambian Benachin was being served from the kitchen, thanks to Kombo Sillah Association for underwriting the bills.
Kombo Sillah Association cannot do otherwise, for a significant number of its membership has directly or through relations, benefited from this magnificent marriage which significantly changes lives on both sides of the isle: from schools, to politics and international development, to horticultural gardens, to libraries, to carpentry workshops, to hospitality industry, to orchards, to mechanics, to better understanding of religious and social values, etc. If not touched by water while flying over the ocean, one cannot fail to notice the magnificence of nature's power and grandeur.
With its remarkable impact on the life of our community and individuals, it becomes imperative for us to reciprocate in some small ways to demonstrate our continued appreciation of the contributions to our community. "Paying you visits is our moral responsibility " Lamin I S Manjang assured Dr Nick, who was quick to gently retort: "we have all benefited significantly from the link".
Dr Nick (Dokita as he is fondly called in Gunjur) never miss the chance to indicate that he has visited Gunjur more than 45 times in 37 years of this extraordinary marriage.
On his last visit, conversation chanced between him and the proprietor of Gunjur Lodge who is another British Citizen but permanently resident in the Gambia. He asked whether the man would wish to be buried in the Gambia should he breaths his last, Joe responded with unmistakable clarity of affirmation that literally gave Dr Nick too a second thought about Gunjur as his place of final rest.
Just as the greats think alike, Anita said she had long thought about that too, but worried whether her children would grant her wish to have her ashes buried in Gunjur.
These revelations made us appreciate the debt of love and profound connection these remarkable citizens of the world have with Gunjur.
From global to the individual, the discussions touched on a range of challenges faced especially by youths from minority backgrounds that often found themselves at odds with the law of the land, and what could be done to help shape their outlook on life. Mr B. Short for Bojang, works in the Criminal Justice Department of the country, and therefore extensively informed about the challenges the youths face because he often regrettably meet them at the prison gates.
He has shared touching and no less life changing stories of youths who otherwise have no reasons be behind bars, and who thanks to his interventions have changed for the better after serving their mandatory terms in penitentiary.
As the sun downs and we parted with photos, hugs and kisses the return journey to Bristol was replete with a desire for renewal of ties of friendship that can only enhance the peace and security of the world!
This was a link between two communities. Much have been said about the founding fathers on the UK side but very little on the Gambia side particularly on the Gunjur side.. The link was indeed very useful as rightly said ' the two communities benefited' indeed emenserly. Sadly the link was brought to a premature end just as the way it did. Each and all of us ,individually and collectively stands to be judged by history for the role we played in shaping and reshaping the birth and end of this much cherished institution.
This is quite a good piece.
Thank you Marlborough, we are grateful for the partnership.
Thank you for the so many lives you have impacted from Gunjur.
That is a very good link I wish it keeps progressing