>From: [log in to unmask] >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: " The managers" >Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2001 09:51:18 EST > >Every Diaspora Gambian has it. With our extended families and the spaghetti >like ways we do routine business transactions in The Gambia, it is a must >have for any of us who maintain interests back home. From handling and >maintaining regular remittances, to arranging complicated power of attorneys >for real estate transactions, they do it all. They are the people I >euphemistically call managers. From an informal survey I did with friends in >the U. S, managers tend to be overwhelmingly family members, relatively young >with a demonstrable track record of honesty and integrity. They tend to be >resident in the greater Banjul area holding onto a job of some kind. Their >roles have evolved over the years as different services and needs come about. >For example not so long ago most managers oversaw remittances that would come >in chunks destined for long periods in which he would hold onto to the bulk >amount and give beneficiaries amounts at specified periods. As a result, a >Diaspora Gambian resident in New York with a manager in Serrekunda and >beneficiaries in a village in C R D would most likely arrange three month >chunks of remittances but might send the entire some in one dispatch to the >manager. He would then arrange to get it to them at specified times. With the >extended nature of the Gambian family especially in the provinces, the >managers often have to make a weekend trek to cover the dispersed >beneficiaries. With the advent of quick and effective money transfers, the >role of the managers has gradually changed even for the one who overseas for >far flunged beneficiaries. It is now possible to send any amount of money >from any part of the world within a 24 hour period, enabling folks to do just >in time remittances for both regular responsibilities and emergencies. It has >also helped to inadvertently shield Diaspora Gambians from having to dispense >with resources they could otherwise invest in their overall efforts in their >countries of residence and the occasional horror stories of trusted managers >running amok. It is not unusual for managers to spend other people's money >and pull an elaborate ruse like phantom homes for someone who has spent >thousands of dollars and great dreams. But those are the aberration as >opposed to what most of the managers do. > The managers shine best in handling the single biggest investment for >most Diaspora Gambians : real estate. They are able to deftly navigate the >corrupt and cumbersome bureaucracy one has to go through to acquire a home >from the Alkalo, local municipal officers and the whole nine yards. It is >impossible to correctly transact any thing from overseas and a three week >vacation will not do it either. Information and the government paper pushers >who control it are not amenable to doing their jobs on the phone. I have >tried to get a simple telephone line for my mother in Georgetown for 5 years >to no avail. The folks at that Gamtel and they changed over the years don't >know why I can't have a line and they don't care either. > Managers who oversee large or multiple tasks apart from remittance >management would often times require maintenance costs. Those overseeing real >estate transactions need to be mobile to traverse various offices and once >construction begins they need to be at the site and twist arms to ensure >adherence to specifications. You may have to get them a cell phone and if >they also oversee rental property, that may require power of attorney to >facilitate general management, tax payment and so on. > Most managers are glad to help in the overall welfare of the family and >relish their roles as conduits and facilitators of all that families can >enjoy within the Gambian extended system. We are a culture that values >sharing and over the years families members who seek out opportunities far >and wide have tried to find ways to continue this great tradition of ours. In >these times it us and the wonderful managers who help keep the family engines >well oiled. They help make the little we earn well worth the tremendous >efforts we put into getting them. From the cold winters of Minnesota , to the > tough streets of Newyork, to the dangerous mines of Angola and the harsh >winters of Scandinavia, we all do our best and the managers who are our >unsung heroes help extend it to our loved ones and their neighbors. Let us >keep remembering them and always add a slight margin to your overall >calculations as a dividend of recognition. Infact that is the unstated way >most managers are thanked for their efforts. >Karamba > ><>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<> > >To view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface >at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html >To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: >[log in to unmask] > ><>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<>