Struggles of living in Gambia | Moved from USA to Gambia
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- čas přidán 24. 03. 2022
- On October 25, 2021 my husband and I moved with our 8 children from The United States of America to Gambia, Africa! We made this move without a backup plan! We are an African American family moving back to Africa. Going back home to Africa is a dream come true for our family. We'd like to share this journey with other families who would like to know what life is life moving to Africa from America.
As a native West African ( Sierra Leone) I totally agree with you that thievery is a serious issue in the region, our leaders owe us a lot for not providing security.
Jazak'Allah'khair for making this video.
Thank you for sharing your experience and the struggle of living in the Gambia. I appreciate your honesty Amina. Take care sis. xx
Solar power banks are a good thing to have and solar lamps for those power outages. Also recommend generators .
Whenever I see the geckos, I'm happy because they are there to eat the insects 😁👍🏽 Thank you for another great video ❤️
Thank you ,you covered a lot!!!
Thank u for touching on these things sis
Asalamwailaikum sister. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Baracka always💞
Thank you! I have learned to bring items for blackouts.
Great content 👍 we well come you to the smiling coast of Africa, the Gambia 🇬🇲.I your honest opinion about the Gambia,I hope the government look in the security situation very seriously and also electricity problem should be solvable.wellcoming our brothers and sisters in the diaspora to come back home to Africa to experience roots and culture of their ancestors.
Thank you sharing your honest views based on what you experienced.
Thank you for watching!
As salaamu alaykum! I love your authenticity. I can relate with what you've shared so far.
Walaykumsalam warahmatullah, thank you sis!!❤❤
Thank you!!!❤️
These are NOT the NEGATIVE things. These are things we who are traveling there need to know.
Not everything in life there countries are the same as we imagine. These are day to day stuff that you don’t just think about when you hear others talking about the beach, nice resorts, big houses, nice weather, no racism, friendly Gambians, etc.
Although those are fantastic assets of Gambian…. You point out some things that when planning a vacation or a visit you just don’t think about. Thanks! It’s enhances your trip to be well informed❤
About the school , it actually depends, if it is an Arabic school you are most likely using mats because some Arabic teachers prefer it that way, but an English school most definitely use chairs and tables
Stay strong big sis. You made a wise decision. May Allah grant you all the best
Love your vids, exact, honest, love the supermarket with older children and your transparent honesty, especially when the diaspora are looking to consider moving to The Gambia.
I really appreciate this!❤❤ Thank you for letting me know you're enjoying the videos.
AsSalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu. Subhanallah! I'm making so many du'a about dealing with the bugs and other creatures. May Allah protect you all and your possessions. Ameen. Another great video, mashaAllah tabarakAllah. Jazakallahu khairun for your content 😘
Walaykumsalam warahmatullahi wabarakatu, Ameen🤲🏾. Thank you sis!!! I still make dua about the insects😂.
Love your honesty Sis.
Thank you for watching!!
As always great video thanks for sharing!!!
Thank you for watching!!
Keeping it real. Thank you for that
Thank you for sharing
I'm lol because in the Atlanta georgia area the internet goes out randomly. Depends on the area in the USA. Alhumdullilah I love your blogs and appreciate your honest and balanced experience.
😂😂 Thank you so much. I love to hear that you're enjoying the videos!
God keep you and family well and safe there. 🙏❤❤❤❤🙏👍🥰
Thank you!!❤❤
You know what, my hair got affected too!!! I remember you saying this, so i brought more oils with me, and yes I did need them xxx
I'm so glad I mentioned it!!! Hair damage from the heat can be devastating 😭. Thank God you were prepared sis!🙌🏾 Also when you get back home I would do a hot oil treatment once a week and add deep conditioning leave in moisturizing cream for a few weeks.
I use Cantu😍. My hair was repaired in about 4 weeks which it definitely could've taken way longer had I procrastinated.
Very well spoken. Thank you👑
Thank you!!❤❤
🦋🦋THANK YOU GREAT INFO🦋🦋
My pleasure 😊. Thank you for watching 💝.
Girl, this is Africa! I'm used to all of that when I was in Africa plus gecko loves lights and will be all over everywhere
I know😆❤
Thank you for this video as always I look forward to your videos, I do hope you will post them more regularly and considering live.
I really appreciate this!! I do post regularly every Friday at 10am London time🙂. Thank you for the encouragement to go live...although that sounds very scary with having small children running around lol!! One day...maybe😬.
Every Friday 😂😂😂. I am looking for daily postings😭@@summersinafrica
@@Gambialiving333 awww!!😍😂🤗
@Candacie Coleman 😂😂😂 if I posted daily you'd be seeing a lot of children and barely able to hear me talk in the video. Momlife and being a youtuber is no joke haha!
As salaamu alaikum sis, Thank you for this info 💖
Very informative 👍
Thanks for sharing 🥰
As salaamu alaykum and thank you so much for your time and another video. It has been over 40 years since I left West Africa (Liberia) and some of the same problems still exist. Well, we did not have internet and cells phones back then but yes the stealing was something I also very much disliked. What about the water situation during the dry season? Hopefully in the future you can give us an idea of the type of housing that is $250 a month. Also, what about your cell phone service now that you are there.
Great Questions❓
Shukran for the information.
Afwan!! Thank you for watching.
I just come back fro the Gambia in banjul every road is build
4:45 Very true lol. I remember when my sister shipped her car from the US to here. The engine had no dirt at all. But a couple months later, it is like the car was in a v-rally 😂
But we just had to clean it every now and then 🙂
😂😂😂 Sounds about right!!
Love the content 🥰
Thank you!!
So proud of you
Thank you!!! You commented on my first video. You said "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder".
Asalamualaikum sister Jazak Allahu Khiaran for sharing. May Allah make it easy for you. Ameen ❤️
Walaykumsalam warahmatullah sister!! Ameen❤❤
hiii i am not popular white singer i love africa especially gambia but muslims there have to understand that wife can be one not more at the same time
Due diligence is so important.
Absolutely and sometimes it's not enough. Thank you for watching 💕
@@summersinafrica Yes. There will always be other things that we didn't know about or think about.
Great video 😊
Good for you sis. Sometimes it’s hard for Americans to leave what they are used too, those things you mentioned might have been a breaking point for some. Hijrah comes with struggles. May Allah grant you success
Ameen, Jazakaalukhair sis!🤗💝
Thank you for looking at the lense of your camera!
😂👍🏾
Hello again my sister!!! We need to figure out something about being overcharged! I have an idea... when you go to the market, just don't speak 🤣🤣. Just grab something and hand them how much you are willing to pay. And if they try to negotiate, just put the item back and walk away and hopefully they change their mind! Sounds unlikely to work, but could be a fun game!!!
That type of thing does work over here though!! I just don't have the confidence to do it😂😂. Thank you for the idea haha!!
Bargaining is easy just whatever they charge you then offer half of that price and then continue to negotiate until they have at least reduced 30 to 40%. Also check multiple shops before buying a product
Yes I agree.but saying the negative is good so people are not deluded in thinking everything is perfect and great.some of the point you mentioned I had the same issue here in Egypt lool
Mashallah
Hello I enjoy your video and being honest I’ve been in Gambia 1999 me and my sister we loved it I haven’t been back since we only stay one week and in Senegal I also live in Manhattan born and raise I hope to visit this June I wouldn’t mind staying every three months because I am no longer working I’m a healthcare worker but I came out on disability I would like to know is that your house in the background it is beautiful I was thinking about getting something
We pray for you may Allah making it easy there is two things I pick up that kind of hurt my feelings when you talk about the robbery and those that increase the prices I grew up around any other thing you just mentioned it's easy for us but I understand where you coming from make sure you make a lot of Duas you and your family we pray for you as well we welcome you all by the sake of Allah ❤️
Thanks!
Thank you for watching!
Beautiful sister
I would also say make sure you know about the security guards you hire to know they're trust worthy
Absolutely!! Thank you 💕
May allah bless you
Asalamu alaikum Amina, we have good islamic schools here Alhamdulilah
The one you talked about are the "local quranic schools"..
Walaykumsalam, nothing wrong with the school my children go to...just mentioned the seating because it's common enough here. Alhamdulilah, you're right!
You are so right the Power cut are a big issue in😞 and she’s so right about that security people jump over and steal things in your homes.🤬
It'll get better one day! Inshallah
Love Amina ❤ 😍 💖 ❣
❤❤❤❤❤
Very balanced well presented Nubian Queen
My husband is a police officer in The Gambia and I told him what you said about all the thieves and he said it's hard to catch them and sometimes they go to Senegal. I also know that the government spent money that wasn't theirs so it's hard to make laws for people like themselves.
is sad in gambia there is muslim discrimination of women and people at all
@@musiccapricorn918 really there is Muslim discrimination in The Gambia? I thought the country was Muslim? I know not all but almost all. And I know they teach being a Muslim in school. At least they did when my husband was going to school. When I was there I didn't see many churches mostly mosques
We love you
Thank you!!! I appreciate your support.
Those experiences definitely would be an issue for most people who lived in the west. I suggest that you get some dogs to protect your belongings. Peace🌷
Very true and I'm still struggling with the 🦎 9 months later😂. Last night there was one in the sink in the bathroom. My teenage daughter picked it up.by hand and took it outside 😳.
Asalaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh, good information on some of the struggles….the spiders🙄. Not sure how you adjust to that 😂. There are definitely bigger issues, but the insects, SubhannAllaah. Great points and thanks for sharing!
Walaykumsalam warahmatullahi wabarakatu, Alhamdulilah. Thank you for your support sister!! Thanks for coming back and watching. These were actually the most difficult for me to adapt to. I'll leave the BIGGEST issues for other youtubers to cover Inshallah 🤲🏾😂. I need my peace.
@@summersinafrica I think what you covered was great, out the ones you mentioned just the bugs🥹, I’m waiting on that peace 💜
@PeaceOfMind I honestly make dua when I see a spider 🕷 lol!! I be like "Allah please, ya Rabb"😂
Assalaamu Alaikum sister
In Sha Allah I would like to make Hijrah to Gambia next year.
Jazak Allah Khair for your insight into the adjustment of living there.
@@hassanamin2213 MashAllah me too I have a compound there in Gambia but I am having hard time paying for the upkeep and also living abroad
Are there any Islamic studies teachers there for adults? I'm seriously considering making an exploratory trip to Gambia (largely based on your positive video chronicles), but only if there are teachers of the Islamic sciences-- especially Qur'an. I truly appreciate your honest reporting.
May Allah (swt) bless you & and your beautiful family immensely and make your trials easy. And, insha'a Allah, i pray you'll have a Blessed Ramadan!
Ramadan Mubarak!! When I get the answer to your question I'll come reply. I haven't seen one yet. I feel confident that it would be in Mandinka if there's one here. So happy you're interested in Gambia. May Allah guide your decision.
you can Learn online
Do you know Arabic?
MashAllah in our village in the bush we don't have theivery there #Badibunka4life
I need to experience there😍. I actually still haven't been close to the bush...what am I waiting for!
Curious to know what made you make the move from US to Gambia.
Exercise is the key
Nice…!
#granrappa
nice video
Thank you!!
The other thing is if you don’t have family over in African, one will definitely struggle
I would like to see a Ramadan vlog In sha Allah 😃
Inshallah, I'm working on one now!🙂
@@summersinafrica Alhamdulilah 😊
It’s funny that you mentioned these things because someone did a video last week on the huge rats that come into the yard and homes. That made me second guess my decision to go there. I had a bad dream after the video…I see your frustration and disappointment about the thievery. That’s so unfortunate because even though we may have more stuff we done have more wealth. Stuff doesn’t mean rich or wealth. I wish that most Africans can come to the states and see and experience what it’s really like being here. They don’t realize that they have the wealth! Most own land, however us in the diaspora mostly don’t own land nor property! One thing that came to my attention initially when I was on my way there the first time was the sexual tourism. Unfortunately, I saw it in east Africa but not so much with very young children as they have there. That would bother me very much so if I saw that. I appreciate you sharing these things and I had to laugh at the sand showing you out and making you feel as if you weren’t in shape.😂🙂well just think, now you’re that much more in shape than when you first got there!
😂😂😂😂 So the rats aren't just hanging around like that. I've seen a few, but they don't generally come up to the homes. I wouldn't worry about that part. Now if you're afraid of spiders and lizards...that's a different story lol! And yes!! This sand hurt my feelings 😂. I'm so grateful now though that I stuck with it and have gotten that much stronger 🙌🏾. Thank you sis!
@@summersinafrica I sure hope not!😂😂😂😂 I’d be absolutely traumatized! Spiders, as long as they aren’t so big and aren’t tarantulas that’s fine, however lizards?… we’ve gotten a bit used to but not fully! They do help with keeping mosquitoes at bay. That’s their food so that’s good. For the thievery, is there a way to keep them out with barbed wire or an electric fence? Also, did you all have things shipped? If so do you have any company to recommend?
Snatching phone is common be very careful with your phone when you recording on the streets
I know...thank goodness I was aware of that already and have been taking precautions. Thank you!!
I would have thought you would have brought up the fact that you have to pay for the school in The Gambia where schools are free in the US to attend. Or that there's no bus to pick up the students to go to school like there is in the US. Those are concerns if I had children in school I'd like to know about.
I forgot about that part! Thank you!!
I have some kids over there that constantly asked me for money. Tell me that their lives are miserable and I don’t know because I can’t see them. I love them with all my heart, but sometimes I feel like they might be taking advantage but that’s only my thoughts it’s not 100%, but maybe if you’re not far away from them, you could check things out for me
How do your children coping in gambia .i hope you will visit america for holidays viewing from jamaica
My children love it here, thank you from all the way in Jamaica 😍. I hope to see it one day!! (Jamaica)
Did you visit first before deciding to move? Before I visit anywhere I do extensive research on the region.
I did not visit before moving and I definitely don't regret moving here. I really love Gambia 🇬🇲. I've almost been here a year now.
How much does it cost from the USa To Gambia? And how does some one from gambia get a visa.
Salaam my sister. About the security in the Gambia, please get a Guard Dog an no thief will ever enter in you property again.
i am not popular white singer i love africa especially gambia but muslims there have to understand that wife can be one not more at the same time////
Sister Amina, I'm proclaiming myself your Auntie, so I can get on you again about not running the Ads. Your consistent subscribers want to let the ads play. Notdoctor Guthrie though he be doing too much with the thirty minute to one hour advertisements. You're working to make these video's get paid. I know you have your reasons, good reasons for not taking payment for yourself, but think of it this way.. It's your money and your kids school wants it now👊👊👊 Don't let CZcams sit on your checks give it to the school 💚
😂😂😂❤❤❤ Inshallah sis one day!! For now I just prefer not to interrupt the videos with ads. I appreciate you're advice and support!!!
@@summersinafricaBelieve me I do understand when you're ready that's when you'll run the ads. Your sincerity is a rare and beautiful thing. We need to met up somewhere when I visit the the school in Tanji Next year. In Sha Allah 💚
@HALAL FAMILY HOMESTEAD Mashallah 💝 thank you!! Yes, absolutely please let me know when you come. I haven't been to Tangi yet, but it's not far from where I am. I hope to go soon, my daughter Aliyah was telling me about how nice the market is there.
@@summersinafrica I've seen a few of their outdoor markets in videos. The markets look like the Mexican markets in California.
@HALAL FAMILY HOMESTEAD My problem is I get attacked to one place and then lack interest in others, but my daughter is constantly looking for different lol. I'll go outside of my comfort zone and check it out 😂. I've been attached to the Serrekunda Market.
May Allah aid Gambia and it's government in controlling the thievery. Where I live in the US, car jackings and killings are almost "normal" unfortunately. So we have to keep it real with ourselves when weighing pros and cons. I'd rather hire the security for thievery! Or I wonder if guard dogs are a thing there?
i am not popular white singer i love africa especially gambia but muslims there have to understand that wife can be one not more at the same time!!!!!
Come to Sénégal more confortable
What part do you live
Learn the language that way your chances of being overcharged are less and people will warm up to you more if you speak the language that's the top tip
I'm working on it😄. My children are learning so much faster.
What schools are y’all going to that students don’t have seats 😳 I’ve lived here my whole life. That’s never happened to me or anyone I know..
You’re very brave though. Coming here despite all the negatives you were hoping to meet
Thank you for watching!! ❤❤
There are some good schools in The Gambia. What schools are you all going to with no seats? Never heard such 🤔
Not to be funny but what kind of critters do you struggle with out there?
Spiders and lizards mainly...I'm kinda used to the spiders now though, but the lizards omg😬
The reason sanitary issue maybe a problem in Africa or should I say Gambian because I’m Gambian and can only speak for Gambia. We wash our hands and use our hands for everything so to us using your hands it’s normal. Being from the Western world, you might find it difficult or weird,🤷🏽♀️😁 we eat with our hands we touch things without hands but also we wash our hands so many times you lost count.😃
😂😂 sorry if you took offense to that part! I understand 👍🏾 ❤
@@summersinafrica Not at all Sis💜 I’m not offended in anyway.😁 Giving your experience as someone who is not from that society and you are allowed to so feel free to share your experience with the world. Some people might find it strange but as for us it’s very normal that’s what I was just trying to bring across.😃
It's unsanitary and that is the reason for diseases in Gambia and the African continent.
Assala. Alikum sis
What about the visa, College, and hospitals
Walaykumsalam warahmatullah, Inshallah a future video to make! Thank you for the ideas.
hi you dont need to hide face/ god never told to fasting/ wife can be only one/. i love wise africans
I think I could deal with the theft cuz it could be a whole lot worse and I can repurchase material things - mad concerned about the jacked up prices 😂😂😂😂😂 “bruh I’m not vacationing here - I live here!!! Ack right!!” 😂😂😂
Oh no! Not spiders 😭. I can handle lizards but not spiders!
Subhanallah I was considering making hijrah to Gambia but I'm now thinking is that a safe thing to do as a single mother with no husband?
Assalamualaykum, it's definitely safe. If I had to choose between staying the US and moving here to Gambia alone with periodically seeing a harmless random spider 🕷 I would definitely choose Gambia (my husband isn't always here). He travels to America for business.
It would be great if you could do a video on islamic schools there any you would recommend ?
The Islamic schools that I know of are Quran and Arabic schools. What do you mean by Islamic schools? Private schools for general academics?
If you're referring to traditional schools (private Islamic) I don't have the experience, because I homeschool my children and plan to continue doing so. I haven't visited traditional schools yet.
@@summersinafrica oh ok so just the Quran and Arabic schools you know of and would recommend in shaa Allah
Yeah girl. They put your loaf of bread in the tiniest piece of newspaper right on the counter. Dassit. Lol
And dat is it!!!😂😂
😄😄😄😄
45:23
??
So what’s the gun laws for protecting your property and family?
Have you got 7 girls and one boy?
5 girls and 3 boys❤.
Damn, can you imagine trying to feed them in America?
How big are those spiders please...lol?
And what about 🐍 snakes in home please?
😂😂😂
It varies 😬 lolol! So I had a picture of one, but I lost it smh. It's not about the size though...it's like they have super long legs haha! I'll try to Google the particular one I'm talking about.
Not snakes...lizards lol!! I'm pretty sure the lizards are baby geckos, but for me it doesn't matter how small. I'm running 🏃🏾♀️ lol
@@summersinafrica same I don’t like nothing crawling or flying around me. I literally CANNOT do spiders😭I won’t be able to sleep once I see something in my house!! Here in Vegas thankfully been here 4 years and never seen one nor a scorpion.
Do you feel that being Muslim helped you with your acclimation to Gambian society?
Absolutely yes, but many people who aren't Muslim live here and also love it.
Assalam o alikum sister iam a Quran teacher can I teach Quran to your kidz
Walaykumsalam Jazakallahukhair, but I'm happy with what my children are doing now. I appreciate you💕
You may want to get dogs to protect your property based on CZcamsrs that moved to the Gambia .
Yes! Like dogs would be great for your property ... like 30 thats what the Bags did for their property
Are you Somali?
No I'm African American.
My sister you need to strengthen up on your Islam you supposed fear nothing and nothing but Allah what's this fear stuff you talking what you teaching your children same thing
It's not Islamic to insult another person’s Islam. Ramadan Mubarak!
Bro. You doing too much.
sounds like a sh** hole
Yes it is there is nothing good from Internet electricity no good eating place n always over charge u n Miskitos malaria u can’t find a single person u can trust to do bisness. I wasted my 7 years n the money. First it looks so good but than it is a s....t hole yes
What i have to do to afford to be able to move over there
Because America is about to go down in the ocean and I really need to get my family out of here