Teen to The Gambia with friend?

[Anonymous]

Not a COVID-related question, this would be next June and let's say COVID is not a concern (I know that's a big hypothetical). So putting aside that issue, my 15 -- will be 16 -- year old daughter's best friend's parents are from The Gambia and they go there every year for two weeks in the summer to visit family. DD has been asked to go along next summer and asked me if I'd allow it. I have time to think, obviously, but I wanted to hear input and get thoughts from the hive mind on what you'd think about this trip.

[Anonymous]

This would really depend on the situation there next summer.

[Anonymous]

I'd need to have some serious talks with the best friends parents and do a ton of research. What is the situation with race? Where would DD be sleeping? Who else would be sleeping there? Is there fighting? Is there war? Does she need vaccines to go? What would she do? Would there be a language barrier?

[Anonymous]

If Covid is under control and you know the parents well enough to trust them with your kid, I think it would be an amazing opportunity for your DD.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure I'd send a kid who has never travelled before - street smarts are best built gradually.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd need to have some serious talks with the best friends parents and do a ton of research. What is the situation with race? Where would DD be sleeping? Who else would be sleeping there? Is there fighting? Is there war? Does she need vaccines to go? What would she do? Would there be a language barrier?

Wtf?

[Anonymous]

Depends on how well I know the parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure I'd send a kid who has never travelled before - street smarts are best built gradually.

She has traveled quite a bit, but for trips over a few days, they have always been family trips incl. DH and me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If Covid is under control and you know the parents well enough to trust them with your kid, I think it would be an amazing opportunity for your DD.

This is my gut feeling too, but I'm sure there are things I'm not thinking of--lots of questions I need to ask--factors to consider.

[Anonymous]

Hell yes, OP. I'm never going to The Gambia...I'm never going to Western Africa at all (and I have friends there who have a pool!), so the only way for my kids to see it any time in the near future is to have an opportunity like the one presented to your daughter. My vote is an emphatic yes, which probably should be worth two votes when you think about it.

[Anonymous]

I would be concerned about how close to a hospital they will be and what level of care is available.

It's more likely your kid gets hurt in a car accident or has an allergic reaction to something (albeit low odds) than being subject to violence or something else weird.

If you trust the parents, then I think it would be a great experience for her.

[Anonymous]

All I know is that there are landmines close to the border with Senegal. Apart from that, it's a question of monitoring the Covid situation and having an ear to the ground for political unrest. Also, if your daughter will stand out because of the color of her skin, then that is also something to consider.

[Anonymous]

The Gambia is a known destination for sex tourism. My aunt (in her 70s) went there a few years ago for that exact reason.

Its not a place to send young people unaccompanied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd need to have some serious talks with the best friends parents and do a ton of research. What is the situation with race? Where would DD be sleeping? Who else would be sleeping there? Is there fighting? Is there war? Does she need vaccines to go? What would she do? Would there be a language barrier?

I would not do this. Either you do it or not. If you don’t they will understand. But don’t cross examine them about the visit. You just can’t control this.

[Anonymous]

here you go, there's even a wiki page on it

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_in_the_Gambia