Joe the truth to this matter is as it was when I visited Milan during the chritsmass holiday. Am not a catholic, but who the hell cares under what umbrella of faith one seeks shelter from. It is very difficult to get to the bottom of this story since non of these boys or girls would like to shed light on it. I do understand them since the Italian government is still draging their feet on the faith of these brothers and sisters of ours."To comment" said  one, would be calling for trouble since they could be deported back to the Gambia. Iam not going to give up following this story, for I shall be heading back to Italy sometime in april. Yes I did meet many of them for I was invited to their chiristmas party organised by the Gambian christian community in Milan. They (Gambian christian community) were indeed doing a great job in housing and feeding these people. I knew non of these kids in the Gambia but during my time with up to 20 of them I understood that all they are concerned about was to arrange their papers which will  show that they are legal.

My advice to any one who might read this article, is to try find out if indeed this story really took place or the boys were just making it up. Call to the Gambia, to friends  in Italy find out if indeed a plane loaded with Gambian catholic boys and girls went to Rome and returned home with a handful.

I wrote this article, to raise alarm that incase someone on this forum heard of this very sad situattion they could try to locate their brothers in Milan or Rome to verify their condition. I have no reason to blame the head of state, my only concern is the faith of these brothers and sisters.

Kebba Sanneh

>From: Joe Sambou <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Young catholic boys seeking asylum in Italy. Who heard about it?
>Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2002 14:19:35 +0000
>
>Kebba, this a gentle reminder that we await your follow-up on the
>condition
>of our young brothers/sisters in the streets of Italy. Please
>update us at
>your earliest convenience. Thanks for your consideration.
>
>Chi Jaama
>
>Joe Sambou
>
>
>>From: Joe Sambou <[log in to unmask]>
>>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
>><[log in to unmask]>
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>Subject: Re: Young catholic boys seeking asylum in Italy. Who heard
>>about
>> it?
>>Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2002 21:56:03 +0000
>>
>>Kebba, thanks for bringing the plight of our young countrymen to
>>our
>>attention. I heard about their defection a year or so ago, but
>>that was
>>it.
>> You mentioned that they live in the streets or equivalent to the
>>life
>>experience of the "Almudus". How are they surviving and with the
>>anti-foreign sentiment that is on the rise in Europe, can you
>>comment on
>>their safety. Are they getting help (legal or otherwise) from
>>humanitarian
>>organizations or the Italian government? Thanks in advance your
>>efforts.
>>
>>Chi Jaama
>>
>>Joe Sambou
>>
>>
>>>From: Kebba Sanneh <[log in to unmask]>
>>>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
>>><[log in to unmask]>
>>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>>Subject: Young catholic boys seeking asylum in Italy. Who heard
>>>about it?
>>>Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2002 14:01:05 +0100
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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