Welcome to Wycliffe College

Dear friends,

After Lagos, I headed west to The Gambia--a small country in the middle of Senegal (really small, 1.5 million, half the population of Toronto). It is great 'ocean-front property'--10-minute walk to the Atlantic! A former British colony, it helps any foreigner who speaks English (like me). But was originally part of Senegal, a former French colony. It is a weird piece of land carved out along both sides of the river that flows from the interior. And the border is never far from the river bank. The story goes that you can fire a rifle shot from the river and it will cross the border!

The Gambia is a very poor country, with agriculture its main product. Lots and lots of peanuts but no peanut butter factory! Gambia could take a lesson from the McCains, the French Fries and potato chip giant of the global market, who are nestled in the middle of New Brunswick potato country. Most of Gambia's economy, I understand, is based on development money. An encouraging note--one of my students has initiated a program with the government's Youth Department to develop young business entrepreneurs.

Tourism is a major industry, since the country has a great 'dry season'--translate, almost no rain, temperature ranges from 22degC at night to 30degC high noon. Perfect weather for a Canadian, but it is the Europeans (lots of Dutch, Germans and Brits) who enjoy its pleasures the most.

A park fondly known as the 'monkey park' is located near the ocean beach. Here are a photo I took Easter weekend on a stroll through the park.

David