For 4 months since May 2003 - GTS has struggled, not only with the rainy season, but also with electricity. Due to meter shortages (actually just not enough supply to meet demand); When GTS was forced to move and build new permises for its office and the Bar and Restaurant - we had to share the supply with the new tenants of our old premises.
When they refused to pay their share of the bill in May, the electric was cut off.

We paid for a new meter and expected to be connected within days. Our generator costs over a 1000 Dalasi a week to run. It was soon obvious that GTS, would for the first time have to cut staff and 4 staff were laid off to pay for the generator fuel.

Those of you who follow the fortunes of GTS will know we have been months applying for our charity registration in Gambia. First we were refused because the word 'Gambia' is the not allowed to be the first name in a charity title - (for fear that it might be viewed as an official Gambian Government organisation).
So GTS had to start again and re-apply (and pay to re-apply again !!!)

We had all the papers ready within days and applied - now we needed some document from the TDA (Tourist Development Agency) & each time Kabs or Mansa go, they are told the person to sign is not available, out, on holiday etc and no one else can sign - frustrating but just a question of time. Well, not so where electric is concerned, although we now have a meter - unless we have our charity registration we cannot be connected.

As a result, with GTS losing around £200 a month, we are finally facing the decision to close. The cost so far has been £700, by late October that will be well over a £1000, so GTS faces closure and the loss of the remaining staff, unless we can raise the funds to remain open.

The bright prospect of container space for GTS charity goods, seems as far away as ever, with no contact from the party making the offer for several weeks now.

So almost certainly August 2003 will go down as the worst month in the whole 5 year history of GTS and maybe the final month of a very successful charity venture..

BUT there have been high points - Ursual Berger from Switzerland spent 3 weeks with GTS at the Bakoteh Proper school, this was an outstanding success for the school who benefitted financially and for Ursula, who will now receive her teaching English as a foreign language certificate in Switzerland. We had offers of help with Horses and Graphic design help for Felix at the Gambian Family planning offices as well as further interest in teaching support for working holidays.

GTS matched up 3 new sponsors with children from families in great need and through the fund raising and donations from GTS members nearly £1000 of the £1340 need to refurbish the Bakoteh Nursery school enabling 80 children to get nursery education, was raised.

And just as several GTS members are preparing for Kabs to visit the UK, GTS has been approached by a family offering us the use of a large compound they have in Gambia, which they will not be using for another 5 years. We hope to have more news on that after meeting the family with Kabs and Adam next week.

Gambian Muslims say 'Inshallah' which sort of translates as 'God willing' Having spent all our GTS reserves over the last 4 months, the jobs of our staff now hang in the balance and despite bright prospects - the future of GTS currently remains bleak, but 'what will be will be Inshallah !! '