Many ethnic groups are found living. When you choose to come and live in The Gambia for sometime, you also choose to grapple with a whole new society whose values, priorities and goals are quite different from those you have been brought up with, have believed in and have defended for many years. Consciously or unconsciously, you are affected by the ideals of your own society.

Gambian society, like your society, can be viewed as a system composed of elements that work together to reinforce the basic goals of the society. However, because these goals differ from those of your society, the dress code, eating habits, work ethics, attitudes towards money and material possession, ideas about equality, the structure of language, holidays, religion, education, sex roles, and the importance of time and space all reflect different priorities.

You do not have to change your beliefs and values to interact meaningfully with Gambians. However, you can make your life and work easier by understanding and using the system rather than trying to challenge it by imposing your own priorities and expectations. You can achieve the goals you have set for yourself by integrating positive Gambian values and traditions with compatible techniques from your own society.