So… Why Are You Considering a move to The Gambia?
There are a multitude of reasons I decided to repatriate to The Gambia.
The most important reason is entirely a personal one. In my adult life, I’ve never felt “home” in any particular place. I’ve lived in 3 states and travelled pretty extensively. None of the homes I’ve purchased with love have really felt permanent.
When my only child graduated from high school in 2019- I had already made plans to live a quasi-nomadic lifestyle, live a few months here & there until I found a forever home. Working from home & having my own consulting business afforded me the opportunity to do just that. My next stop was Winnipeg, Canada- with a reputation for being diverse and not too city-feeling… By the time COVID-19 hit, I had exhausted all of my top 10 US cities. No dice.
All along, I’d been researching Africa as a place to visit, vacation, and relax. I stumbled across a series of YouTube channels dedicated to folks in the African diaspora returning permanently to different African countries. I watched & listened. I took copious notes. I started researching possibilities as an American citizen. What where the pitfalls? How will the politics in the country effect an American? Could I own land or hold dual citizenship? All these things required thought and cold-hard-facts…
Eventually, I landed on The Gambia. The smallest of the 52 African nations, its English-speaking people are part of the UK Commonwealth system. Democratic in nature, with the slogan of “the smiling coast of Africa,” The Gambia was a no-brainer. I realized the abject poverty most of its citizens experience, while making about $100 USD/month. Could I use my talents to make a difference?
Sidestep: The real deal- The country of The Gambia is cash poor and infrastructure is sorely lacking. They have no real electrical grid or industrialized sewer system in place. Everyone is using septic tanks, and relying on the pitiful electricity the country has spackled together. Power outages are a daily occurrence. Solar power is a burgeoning industry, as is internet access (they have 4G in the Western part of the country). Organic farming is the norm, but ecological sufficiency in a climate vulnerable world isn’t thought of here, for the most part. While the lush green forests and trees are beautiful, The Gambia imports far more than they export. Gambia doesn’t have oil, so it’s under the radar for the most vicious vulture countries dirty tricks, courtesy of China, US, and others. However, there are many Chinese & Middle-eastern businesses already cornering the market in certain industries. Colonialism is slowly, but steadily attempting to choke the roots of Gambian industry- to be replaced with “other,” a common occurrence in independent African nations. The politics in The Gambia are self-serving and corrupt in an interesting Americanized way. Deals are made to help political advancement, not necessarily for the good of the people. The current President, similar to many, is ineffective and leans towards bloviation. Political parties are after position power & honestly, plan to replicate the current President’s behavior, if chosen in this year’s election. Gambians will likely re-elect the incumbent.
So, with all that said, why The Gambia? Well, I feel I can do something meaningful and positive here, in a way that I could not in the US. Africans in the diaspora (US & UK mostly, but everyone’s represented) understand all the things above in a way that only the victimized can comprehend. That puts us in a stellar position to warn our brothers & sisters of incoming danger, even if our warnings fall on deaf ears.
Well, what if they don’t welcome you with open arms? Re-patriated Africans have a plan. Most are leaving careers where they are experts in their fields. At the very least, they’re starting businesses that will force The Gambia into the current century and provide an African-owned culture of excellence. I’m already hearing people talk bout business ideas touching all of the items I’ve mentioned- with degrees, experience, and savings accounts to match their words. In support of that effort, The Council of African Descendants (COAD) organization is slowly creating a unifying force for those who wish to repatriate to The Gambia. Focused mostly on political and cultural awareness, they’ve been a consistent voice to make automatic citizenship for African diasporans a reality.
As for me personally, my focal point is business/business development. With a background in OD, I fully expect to assist businesses as they move forward on how to setup & be palatable to Westerners & Gambians alike. From Project Management & lead development including process improvement, we will be setting up Gambian-style! For those who want to kick tires, unsure of whether they wanna move- we’ll be here to host experiences in The Gambia that only a bougie girl can offer. 😆 Yes, Her Mother’s Daughter, LLC is moving to The Gambia! It’ll take about 18 months to get things cooking, but the fire is lit!! We will see how things move & shake as the months go on…
I have every intention to continue traveling back & forth to the US- some of my favorite people are there! However, if this feels like home, I’ll consider my time in the US “visitation.” 😆
I’ve bent your ear long enough, stay tuned for more updates on The Gambia and my experiences. P.S. – I’m certain other people feel differently, I’m just sharing my thoughts on the subject. Feel free to comment/ask questions below.