Back and Next - Back and NextYouth in development is our business - Meet the youth philanthropist - Mr Lamin Kinteh
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Market Beat was privileged to meet one of Gambia’s rariest breeds of development-oriented, philanthropist-oriented and most significantly, rural-inclined class of youths in the person of Mr Lamin Kinteh.
This interview is made possible from the just concluded Market Beat tour of rural Gambia, unearthening the best of The Gambia, development project, lapses in the system, meeting villagers and assessing the progress of the farming season among a whole host of bits and bytes as per our national developmental goals and aspirations as a nation and a people.
I was deeply moved and inspired by the youthful prowess of Lamin Kinteh and the dedication he puts into Kairo Konko Lodge and its programmes and activities including communal and community works and charity.
The breed that Mr. Kinteh belongs to are rare in The Gambia as there are very few people, rurally based, who are involved in charity work and helping local communities cope with the hustle and bustle of everyday life and more profoundly doing it on an individual basis.
I have interviewed a lot of people on this column but none of Kinteh’s calibre, who are charity-based, rurally inclined and most important are non-profit oriented. Those is just marvelous and in Kinteh a whole generation of Gambian youths have a role model to look up to and emulate for a better Gambia and a progressive Gambia.
Mr. Kinteh’s works cut across scouting activities, charity, community work, sponsoring students and correspondence with some UK based Philanthropists led by Marion Christmas. He is a seasoned traveler and has been to lots of countries to spread the word and faith in helping local communities such as Jarra Soma, Jiroff to cope with simple development initiatives such as clean drinking water and school fees for the students.
According to this ambitious young man there is nothing like home and as youths, the development of this country lies in our hands and we must not desert Mother Gambia to go abroad for good.
Our interview goes as follow:
What is your name? Lamin Kinteh
Name of business or area of interest? Charity and we operate under the auspices of Kaira Konko Project with the Kaira Konko Lodge, Kaira Konko Sponsorship Initiative to name but a few of our interventions within the Kaira Konko Project.
What are your other engagements? Scout and scouting activities, tree planting, gardening as in Jiroff, tap maintenance, housing and building houses for neighbours, painting especially nursery and lower basic schools, supporting local organizations such as donating a fire engine to the Soma Fire and Rescue Services, weeding and clearing shrubs and small bushes within the neighbourhood, etc.
Where is your business domicile? Jarra Soma in Lower River Region (LRR)
If you have something to change in the Gambian youth, what will it be? Banish the lazy attitude among our youth folk and stop the dreaming and building of castles in the air.
Who is the greatest African of all times? Nelson Mandela
Best region in the Gambia? Lower River Region (LRR)
Why? It is where I live and I love it here and please come and join us.
Best diet? Domoda with subo.
Public school or private for your children? Public school for a start so that my children can understand diversity and plant the seed of appreciating and loving other children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Best movie you ever watched? A movie called 24 by Jack Bowls.
Best hobby? Soccer.
Why are African people so poor when Africa is the richest continent? It is down to our own ways of treating one another. Look at Africans exploiting themselves because of self interest. A typical example is African leaders signing contracts in oil mining at the detriment of their masses; getting as little as 5% and western companies walking away with 95%. That is slavery and that is why we are where we are. Africa could have even been better without the oil and natural resources as the West is using it to re-colonise us and spreading guns and weapons on our shores to kill each other and if that happens they walk in and plant their own stooges.
One word to describe the West? They are workaholics.
What is the best quality you look for in a woman? Traditional.
What is the best quality you look for in a neighbour? Peaceful.
What is the best quality you look for in a friend? Loyal.
What is your best colour? Green.
What is your best moment? When I am helping people to better themselves.
One word to describe Gambian Music? Struggling with identity.
One word to describe Gambian football? Improving.
Best African country apart from your own? Sierra Leone because we share a lot in common.
What is the way forward for Gambian Youths? Get off your backside and try do something for today and for your tomorrow. Wake up from your mad slumber and move on.
What is the solution to youth unemployment? Help the youth to learn a skill.
What is the solution to youth poverty? Support the youth to get some skills, sensitise them as to what it take to travel and why and when to travel and the advantages and disadvantages of traveling and finally encourage them to learn and stay in school. The youths are the future and if they are doomed, then we are doomed too, so we must confront the youths and force them to take up their responsibilities.
Your best Gambian businessman? Hatib Janneh.
You best league and team in the world? The Premiership. I am Manchester United fan through and through and I had the privilege to watch the team live in the UK. .
Home coach or foreign? Home coach. It is high time we support our local coaches and train them both locally and overseas. We always make the same mistakes as African Soccer Federations are unable to sustain foreign coaches in the long run leading to legal problems and confused strategies.
South American football or European? South American.
Ronaldo or Messi? Cristaino Ronaldo.
China or USA (America)? China, American foreign policy at the moment and under Bush is abusive, undemocratic and risky. The world would be a far better world without George Bush and may that be as soon as feasible.
Obama or Condoleezza Rice? Obama without a doubt.
Your last words? I will first and foremost thank Marion Christmas for setting the ball rolling for me and for the people and residents of LRR especially Jarra Soma and Jiroff.
The authorities are also worthy of our praise and commendation for the peace and tranquility in the country as peace and decorum are the foundation for our very existence.
I will also say a big thank you to the people of LRR especially Jarra Soma for their cooperation.
This interview is made possible from the just concluded Market Beat tour of rural Gambia, unearthening the best of The Gambia, development project, lapses in the system, meeting villagers and assessing the progress of the farming season among a whole host of bits and bytes as per our national developmental goals and aspirations as a nation and a people.
I was deeply moved and inspired by the youthful prowess of Lamin Kinteh and the dedication he puts into Kairo Konko Lodge and its programmes and activities including communal and community works and charity.
The breed that Mr. Kinteh belongs to are rare in The Gambia as there are very few people, rurally based, who are involved in charity work and helping local communities cope with the hustle and bustle of everyday life and more profoundly doing it on an individual basis.
I have interviewed a lot of people on this column but none of Kinteh’s calibre, who are charity-based, rurally inclined and most important are non-profit oriented. Those is just marvelous and in Kinteh a whole generation of Gambian youths have a role model to look up to and emulate for a better Gambia and a progressive Gambia.
Mr. Kinteh’s works cut across scouting activities, charity, community work, sponsoring students and correspondence with some UK based Philanthropists led by Marion Christmas. He is a seasoned traveler and has been to lots of countries to spread the word and faith in helping local communities such as Jarra Soma, Jiroff to cope with simple development initiatives such as clean drinking water and school fees for the students.
According to this ambitious young man there is nothing like home and as youths, the development of this country lies in our hands and we must not desert Mother Gambia to go abroad for good.
Our interview goes as follow:
What is your name? Lamin Kinteh
Name of business or area of interest? Charity and we operate under the auspices of Kaira Konko Project with the Kaira Konko Lodge, Kaira Konko Sponsorship Initiative to name but a few of our interventions within the Kaira Konko Project.
What are your other engagements? Scout and scouting activities, tree planting, gardening as in Jiroff, tap maintenance, housing and building houses for neighbours, painting especially nursery and lower basic schools, supporting local organizations such as donating a fire engine to the Soma Fire and Rescue Services, weeding and clearing shrubs and small bushes within the neighbourhood, etc.
Where is your business domicile? Jarra Soma in Lower River Region (LRR)
If you have something to change in the Gambian youth, what will it be? Banish the lazy attitude among our youth folk and stop the dreaming and building of castles in the air.
Who is the greatest African of all times? Nelson Mandela
Best region in the Gambia? Lower River Region (LRR)
Why? It is where I live and I love it here and please come and join us.
Best diet? Domoda with subo.
Public school or private for your children? Public school for a start so that my children can understand diversity and plant the seed of appreciating and loving other children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Best movie you ever watched? A movie called 24 by Jack Bowls.
Best hobby? Soccer.
Why are African people so poor when Africa is the richest continent? It is down to our own ways of treating one another. Look at Africans exploiting themselves because of self interest. A typical example is African leaders signing contracts in oil mining at the detriment of their masses; getting as little as 5% and western companies walking away with 95%. That is slavery and that is why we are where we are. Africa could have even been better without the oil and natural resources as the West is using it to re-colonise us and spreading guns and weapons on our shores to kill each other and if that happens they walk in and plant their own stooges.
One word to describe the West? They are workaholics.
What is the best quality you look for in a woman? Traditional.
What is the best quality you look for in a neighbour? Peaceful.
What is the best quality you look for in a friend? Loyal.
What is your best colour? Green.
What is your best moment? When I am helping people to better themselves.
One word to describe Gambian Music? Struggling with identity.
One word to describe Gambian football? Improving.
Best African country apart from your own? Sierra Leone because we share a lot in common.
What is the way forward for Gambian Youths? Get off your backside and try do something for today and for your tomorrow. Wake up from your mad slumber and move on.
What is the solution to youth unemployment? Help the youth to learn a skill.
What is the solution to youth poverty? Support the youth to get some skills, sensitise them as to what it take to travel and why and when to travel and the advantages and disadvantages of traveling and finally encourage them to learn and stay in school. The youths are the future and if they are doomed, then we are doomed too, so we must confront the youths and force them to take up their responsibilities.
Your best Gambian businessman? Hatib Janneh.
You best league and team in the world? The Premiership. I am Manchester United fan through and through and I had the privilege to watch the team live in the UK. .
Home coach or foreign? Home coach. It is high time we support our local coaches and train them both locally and overseas. We always make the same mistakes as African Soccer Federations are unable to sustain foreign coaches in the long run leading to legal problems and confused strategies.
South American football or European? South American.
Ronaldo or Messi? Cristaino Ronaldo.
China or USA (America)? China, American foreign policy at the moment and under Bush is abusive, undemocratic and risky. The world would be a far better world without George Bush and may that be as soon as feasible.
Obama or Condoleezza Rice? Obama without a doubt.
Your last words? I will first and foremost thank Marion Christmas for setting the ball rolling for me and for the people and residents of LRR especially Jarra Soma and Jiroff.
The authorities are also worthy of our praise and commendation for the peace and tranquility in the country as peace and decorum are the foundation for our very existence.
I will also say a big thank you to the people of LRR especially Jarra Soma for their cooperation.
Author: by Momodou Camara
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