Planning

Geplaatst op 19/04/2014 door Bonnie Vooijs

img_7863-comp On the phone this week, with my friend Adama Jallow we discussed the importance of planning your life.

It made me think of a conversation I had, just before I left the Gambia last year. Read: Tomorrow Subtitle: What we can learn from African people… (partially in Dutch)

International Women’s Day

Geplaatst op 07/03/2014 door Bonnie Vooijs

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To all the beautiful, strong, wise, graceful and hard-working sisters, mothers, daughters, and granddaughters in the Gambia: wishing you all Happy International Women’s Day! publicatie1

Friends, Visitors and Smartphones

Geplaatst op 03/03/2014 door Bonnie Vooijs

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Fresh pictures, showing my friend Adama, her son, the foreman and some people I didn’t know until now, but who I hear, loved their visit to the Rubber House. . Isn’t technology great these days? img-20140219-wa0034

I got these pictures right away. You’ve just got to love smartphones. And Jenny, who sent them to me. Thank you! And above, a gallery of new building pictures. Or; how to turn a piece of land into a compound.

MJ’s Beauty School

Geplaatst op 27/11/2013 door Bonnie Vooijs

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Still no new building pictures to share, so I’ll use some blog space to show a great person and initiative I’ve come across: MJ and her Beauty School in Brikama. MJ, Mariama, is a young Gambian woman who started this school to teach girls to be a professional beautician and/or hairdresser. While learning the profession itself, they also get courses in assertiviness and how to do business. And, because the girls are still learning, they need costumers in the salon next to the school. I love to go there, they’ll do their very best and you’ll get a lot of attention!

Tapha Artist

Geplaatst op 19/11/2013 door Bonnie Vooijs

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This is Tapha. He’s a pretty well known singer-songwriter in the Gambia. Tapha has a voice that can make you cry. Honestly, when he sings, you’ll really feel it. But like many talented people from the Gambia are experiencing, it’s not always easy to get the attention their talents deserve. So, I decided to make a modest contribution by taking his pictures and advertising for him on the blog. I consider myself lucky to have him as a friend, because whenever I miss the Gambia, Tapha sings for me on the phone. Click here for my favorite song Adunya and please give him some clicks on all the other songs he and his fans uploaded on Youtube on Tapha’s Channel.

Watching the Bird Watchers

Geplaatst op 20/11/2012 door Bonnie Vooijs

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okt-2012-001-790-watching-the-bird-watchers

At the end of the Senegambia- “strip” you’ll find the meeting point for tourists and official tourist guides. Their specialty: nature and culture in the Gambia and Senegal. And like it is with most people who know a lot, they’re also curious. They asked me all kinds of questions about the Rubber House, the way we built it and where it is to be found. This is why I know now that there are many different and even rare birds to be found where I am ! They even offered to come with me, observe for a while and make a list of every bird and animal they find. I will, when I’m ready. Thanks guys! Now, they are probably busy again, since the tourist season started just a week after I took this picture.

Visitors

Geplaatst op 05/11/2012 door Bonnie Vooijs

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In October 12 Jan Huisman, member of the Board of the Dutch Foundation “Milieu Dichterbij/ De Klimaatark”, his wife and Gambian resident Aisha and friend visited the Rubber House. We met in the Gambia, at the breakfast table, while staying in the same hotel, and you see: “Birds of a feather… “…will also flock together abroad .