In August 2013 the Art-Center of our local partner organisation Mama Africa was destroyed by the then government (see under 2013). At the beginning of November 2018 the brand new Mama Africa-Art Center & Gallery was opened with a big celebration. Imams, ministers, artists, friends, relatives, neighbours, project collaborators and many other interested people came to see what Isha and Bernd have created. Prayers, speeches, music, food and drink – everything was taken care of. The enthusiasm was huge. The highlight, however, was Isha Fofana’s speech, which began emotionally and then turned into a sparking fireworks which moved everybody present deeply. The national television was present and broadcasted a report on the same evening.
The board of our Swiss partner organisation, the Gambia Friends, as well as the managing director of Spagyros, Jacqueline Ryffel, also travelled to attend this important event. The long-term cooperation with the Gambia Friends is important and precious for us. And without the company Spagyros, which has generously supported our project since the beginning, we would not be able to work so successfully in the Gambia.
We are confident that this new beginning will give our project partners Isha and Bernd a good, peaceful future.