Roy Richardson, recently returned to the UK, reports that a one way crossing is taking FIVE HOURS as a foot passenger. The long wait for a vehicle space on the ferry makes it totally impractical to try taking the HELPING landrover across.
As our projects are located on the poorer, non-tourist North Bank, the limited ferry service makes life difficult not only for locals but for Chris and Margaret and our Gambian staff when they are visiting HELPING's supported schools and other enterprises.
The charity is currently in the process of building a basic accommodation block on the North Bank to try to alleviate these problems. This will eventually allow HELPING staff and volunteers to stay overnight on the North side where there are no tourist hotels available. At the moment, people have to rush their visit to ensure they catch the last ferry back to their hotels in the tourist areas.
The only alternative way to cross the river is by pirogue which is certainly quicker but pretty risky. There are no life jackets and health & safety is an unknown concept! I've posted a video taken last February which shows how local people get to and from the pirogues, as there are no piers or jetties! Apologies for the wobbly camera work - the video was shot from a fair distance away on a long lens.
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