Anonymous wrote:The only thing that would make me hesitate is the fact that they lock people up for life for being LGBT, which makes me not want to give them my tourist dollars.

You sound ignorant and may really want to stay away from Florida, Mississippi and other backward states in this country then. Have you read some of the recent legislation? Is your family member LGBT? Such an odd response you gave.

Anonymous wrote: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.

I wish a friend would invite my child to Gambia or another country, especially in Africa with them to visit. Why would you not allow it, if you know and communicate with the parents and respect the parents and their values.

Anonymous wrote:

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

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

I wouldn't go anywhere that has a wikipage devoted to prostitution.

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

And right now, someone in The Gambia is reading the wiki page on gun violence in the US and saying “no way”, my child will not travel to such a violent country.

Anonymous wrote:DD ended up going on the trip this summer instead of last summer and had a blast! Amazing life experience for sure.

That’s great OP! I’m so glad you didn’t listen to the fear mongers!

Anonymous wrote:DD ended up going on the trip this summer instead of last summer and had a blast! Amazing life experience for sure.

That’s great! Thx for the update

Anonymous wrote: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.

Wow this would be a fantastic experience! African parents (I am African) are usually pretty strict so he would likely be in good hands and under watchful eye. And if they can afford to live here, they probably have a palace back home with lots of domestic help back home. Your kid will have a ball.

Anonymous wrote:DD ended up going on the trip this summer instead of last summer and had a blast! Amazing life experience for sure.

Good for her and for your family! Glad it worked out.

DD ended up going on the trip this summer instead of last summer and had a blast! Amazing life experience for sure.

All of these posters saying "It's dangerous," "Absolutely not!" - do you have any actual information about bad outcomes for Americans or other visitors to the Gambia?

A few years ago I planned a trip to Mexico and got so many "How could you, it's so risky" etc. comments. So I looked into the actual number of adverse effects (killing, assault, robbery, kidnapping, medical emergencies resulting in death, etc.) for Americans visiting Mexico every year. It was very small.

If a country has high numbers (that is: numbers that are clearly out of line with the place that you are currently living, for the demographic that you belong to) of those outcomes for visiting Americans, I would not travel there. Also would not visit a country in the middle of serious political instability that plausibly could result in mass violence or cutting off of flights out, or if it has a history of such instability arising suddenly. All other warnings of "danger" seem to me to be externalizations of prejudice and unwarranted fear of the unknown and different.

If this family is taking their own teenage child to the Gambia, then I would trust their ability to take care of yours and to judge what situations are safe. Send her!!

The only thing that would make me hesitate is the fact that they lock people up for life for being LGBT, which makes me not want to give them my tourist dollars.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not a chance. My DH has spent a lot of time in Senegal and surrounding countries for work. I don’t even travel with him anymore. It’s not safe, OP. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

In what ways is it not safe? I used to travel to this region quite frequently and have many fond memories of both Gambia and Senegal. What does your DH do?

Agreed- I am also curious what the pp is basing her opinion on. I lived in Senegal for 4 years with young children/also frequently traveled to The Gambia and we had no issues (honestly felt they were safer there than in the US). The only thing that would currently give me pause is possible medevac issues (compounded by COVID- which may well still be an issue in the region next summer and could complicate the ability to procure medevac even with the appropriate insurance). We have direct experience with the « top class » hospitals in Senegal a pp identified and would definitely not want my child to be treated for a major medical issue at any of them.

Anonymous wrote:Forgot to say, bring bug spray for mosquitos and take those anti-malarials. I never wore shorts there either BTW. I’m a woman and I felt more comfortable in dark linen, nothing form-fitting. Long skirts and loose-fitting tops that covered me to the elbows were the order of the day

Jeans okay, but no to shorts.

Anonymous wrote:Not a chance. My DH has spent a lot of time in Senegal and surrounding countries for work. I don’t even travel with him anymore. It’s not safe, OP. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

In what ways is it not safe? I used to travel to this region quite frequently and have many fond memories of both Gambia and Senegal. What does your DH do?

Yes, and what a great and formative experience it will be!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: The reason I would be wary is that god forbid anything happens to your daughter, with COVID, medevac isn't available in many countries due to COVID border restrictions.

How do you know medevac isn't available there? Also OP's DD is vaccinated (I assume) so the chances of a Covid-related issue are low.

Do you know that Medevac IS available in the Gambia? Due to COVID, in many countries where Medevac was formerly readily available (for a price), it's been suspended due to issues with border restrictions due to COVID. I would certainly check on that before sending my child. And I wasn't referring to COVID per se. If your child breaks a leg or has some other travel related health emergency, the capacity of the local hospital may be limited, and that's when ability to Medevac becomes important.

The nearest top-class hospital outside of Gambia is in Dakar, Senegal, about 160km away from Banjul. There are 3 good private hospitals there: Clinique du Cap, Clinique de la Madeleine, and Clinique Casahous

Senegal currently allows Americans to enter, subject to a Covid test.

That requirement can also be lifted for humanitarian reasons (Item 7 in Annex II):

The other option is the Canary Islands, and Aeromedica Canaria operates air ambulances fully equipped with life support units on-board. You can enter Canary Islands (part of Spain) with proof of vaccination. https://www.hellocanaryislands.com/travelling-to-the-canary-islands/

I absolutely agree OPs DD should obtain full travel insurance for the trip.