This is to add my voice to the many tributes to Rev. Father Andrew Carrol an Irish missionary priest, a veteran spiritual leader and an educationist who transformed my life and that of many others. For me in particular, he contributed a lot towards the growth in my academic and social life. His death sent shock waves throughout the country and beyond.
In 1953, on leaving
Father Carrol’s journey with me from
In Bwiam while I was a Pupil Teacher, I found other teachers there (those I can remember: Kebba Gomez, Joseph Dumbuya and Teacher Sambou. Subsequently, Father Carrol encouraged and motivated me to sit to the Yundum College Entrance Examinations. In the evenings he would coach me in English Language, whilst I in turn would teach him the Wollof. I successfully passed the College entrance examinations and entered
My first students - those I can remember - were John Jammeh, John Bojang, Momodou Drammeh, Kabbaa Jawara, Botor Kolley, the late Alfred Kujabi, Paul Bojang, and Baba Sanyang among others.
Fr. Carrol’s hunger to give the needy and the poor quality and relevant education was demonstrated by his spiritual and educational activities in sensitizing villagers to improve their lives by building and improving the standards of many schools in the Fonis. Apart from Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Bwiam, he made frequent treks to other satellite villages to build schools; places like Kamfenda, Sangajor, Kaimor, Wassadou etc.
In 1961, I was posted to Kartong -
Father Carrol expanded his work of evangelization by making frequent trips from Kartong to Darsilami, Berending, Sanyang, Siffo, Marakissa and Kunkujang supervising the cathechists there. He opened the schools at Darsilami and Berending during the time I was with him.
In 1999, I had cause to travel to
Father Carrol’s demise is a great loss to the entire Gambian population. He contributed a lot to the spiritual and educational development of The Gambia. We have lost a great family priest. He supported us well both academically and spiritually with much love and affection. He was sincere and always spoke the truth no mater what. He will always be remembered in this country especially in Bwiam, Kartong and environs and by his numerous friends.
May his soul rest in perfect peace – Amen.