Simon Wezel, founder of the Kingfisher Trust in The Gambia, has faced endless troubles in obtaining a duty waiver for his container of gifts for Gambian children.

Mr. Wezel said that although the container of gifts was loaded in the presence of Major Maba Jobe, administrative attaché and Sainabou Drammeh, tourism attache at the Gambia High Commission in London in September, he has not been able to obtain a duty waiver for the gifts.

He added that the 515 pairs of canvas shoes and other items in the container were intended for the use of Boraba and Dobo primary school children, and it also contains equipment destined for Bansang Hospital. All these items are indicated on the invoice.

Mr. Wezel explained that he spent two weeks in The Gambia trying to obtain a duty waiver, adding that too many people are involved the process, which delayed things.

He said that as charity administrators of the Trust they are not asking for a special favour or even thanks, but they want to help the children in a speedy and just manner.

Mr. Wezel asserted that the Trust would like to continue the work they have been doing in The Gambia irrespective of who rules the country, but they have their limits if they are going to face troubles in obtaining duty waivers for their gifts.

They may be thinking of diverting them to needy people in other African countries.

"Gambian children," he commented, "are faced with a hard life - the majority are born in poverty, and even those who are not, their parents face financial difficulties. Yet the people are among the friendliest in the world and they should be supported," he said.

Sources from the Ministry of Finance disclosed that the reason for the delay in issuing a duty waiver to the Kingfisher Trust was that at first the officials thought the materials were not entirely gifts for children. Our sources indicated that all efforts are now being made to give the Trust a duty waiver.

- S.B. Danso