By Former Ambassador Essa Bokarr Sey
American Embassy Ramadan Gift Reaches the Needy-Good Gesture of Diplomacy!
I have always been following with keen interest the activities of the US Embassy in The Gambia as far as "people-to-people" relations is concerned, I must admit that, the latest one has indeed impressed me a lot! I had very strong feelings while reading through this piece-published (courtesy the point newspaper). It is indeed pleasing to see the US Embassy go all out distributing food to the needy in The Gambia, without allowing itself be dictated by any political desire. The way the food was shared is exemplary and verily a good gesture coming from diplomacy. Winning the hearts and minds of people is the best way forward during this era of endless political polarization. I have always known this for fact,that, the America seen on the news is not the America I have known while in Texas between 2003-2005. The America I came to know after leaving the diplomatic field is that one of sharing and caring. I have seen people in Texas and other parts of this country who are personable and good. Of course this is not waiver for everyone neither is my attestation political. It is natural because being good and or being bad has no frontiers therefore I am always ready to a give a chance to those who are ready to show the positive side of the coin.
During this era of endless political polemics diversity and inclusion is the only answer to many questions. Diversity and inclusion cannot be effective without caring and sharing. This is how I came to see a very positive move in what the US Embassy was doing with reference to the above subject. I have seen the same good gestures being extended to Somalis,Congolese and many other refugees from different parts of the world here in the USA itself,while I was in Texas state. I have personally been involved in programs meant to enhance the lives of the families of some ESL (English as a second language) students in Texas. The latter came to resettle in the USA therefore at a professional level too I have witnessed a lot of good being done for many of those families. This helps explain to some of those who always hear about the West from political microphones, that, humanbeings are either good or bad regardless of one's origin,colour or race. This also shows how much diplomacy can erase the crying faces of the needy without any political strings attached. The families who stood there waiting to receive those kilos of rice which can feed them and their dependants back home, means so much to Gambian culture and traditions. Certainly they will ever live to remember this noble gesture. Feeding someone where and when the person really needs it cannot be equated to anything else.Some of those families who were fed will bear future leaders who will one day be told by their mothers or fathers that, sometime ago, the US Diplomats helped us escape the claws of hunger.
To Ambassador Barry Wells,I say thank you very much for coordinating these efforts that are geared towards helping the needy. I am really impressed Mr Wells!
God bless The Gambia my homeland!
God bless the United States of America!
