Aminata receives
treatment in UK
by Momodou Musa Secka
Reports have reached in The Gambia that young Aminata Sawaneh, who was sponsored
to the United Kingdom by Simon Wezel, Kingfisher Trust, The Gambia, is progressively receiving
treatment.
Six-year old Aminata went to the UK with her mother, Mama Janneh-Sawaneh early
this year for her to get the vital operation she needs to cure her deafness and give her a brighter
future.
According to reports from Mr and Mrs L.V Robinson, the family Aminata and her
mother are staying with in Blackheath, Essex both have now settled in a new house of their own in Colchester, Essex
the oldest recorded town in England.
For the first two weeks they acclimatized themselves to their new surroundings,
neighbours, family and friends. At the moment, all the doctors required for assessments have performed their
duties, prior to the actual
plastic surgery which is expected to be done soon.
The reports further revealed that Aminata's examinations have of the ear, nose
throat and eyes. Also, the heart and lungs.
"A satisfactory outcome is being hoped for",the report
stated.
THOMSON Tours Refuses
To Fly Aminata To UK
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1997 by Cherno
Kebbeh
The fate of little Aminata Sawaneh, who is desperate for plastic
surgery in the UK, was in limbo when she failed to board her flight to the UK. Last Tuesday, THOMSON Tours, on its
last flight of the season, reportedly refused to take little Aminata and her mother to the UK, although they met
all requirements. ***Publishes According to the founder of the Kingfisher Trust Mr. Simon Wezel, who first
highlighted Aminata's plight in the East Anglian Daily Times, he was informed by the Banjul International Airport
staff that THOMSON office in London had instructed them not to take the girl and her mother to
the
UK. Mr. Wezel, told the Point that, earlier after booking the air ticket,
THOMSON staff told them that they only needed a valid visa and a meningitis vaccination certificate, which they had
obtained.
The Kingfisher Trust founder disclosed that at the Airport on Tuesday, he together
with Lorna Robinson, the Kingfisher Trust Secretary in UK, who came over to assist Aminata's mother tried to talk
to the Captain of the Britannia aircraft, "but he refused". Lorna flew out with the THOMSON flight.
Meanwhile, Mr. Wezel on Wednesday informed the Point that the Gambia Experience
has now rescued of the girl and that she is due to leave today.
It would be recalled that Aminata Sawaneh faced some difficult in securing a visa
to the UK.
It should be noted that Kingfisher Trust, a registered charitable organisation in
the Gambia is sponsoring Aminata.
In November 1996, two British Journalists from the East Anglian Daily Times
visited the Gambia for an exclusive highlights on the seven years old girl in a bid to ascertain the need for
plastic surgery to cure her deafness
Meanwhile, the Point on Wednesday contacted Gambia Experience and they confirmed
that Aminata is joining their today's flight.
is being hoped for", the report stated
|