The Gambia Tourism Authority yesterday received a group of people called Shenkh Eternity from the UK. The group is here on a week-long cultural and spiritual trip.

Shenkh Eternity is based in Bristol, United Kingdom. Madu Ellis, the director of Shenkh Eternity, who led the group to The Gambia, said on his visit to the country in 1999, he had cordial relation with some people. Since then he has been looking for ways to change misconceptions about Africa.

According to Madu, Shenkh means continuity. He added that it is their wish to make this an annual visit because "we are bringing back Africans to Africa, especially the young ones."

The aim of this visit, as noted by Momodou Dibba of GTA, who is one of the coordinators, is to expose the group to African culture.

Mr Dibba noted that most of the group are young and have never been to Africa.
Programs lined up for the week-long visit include museum visits and a trip to Juffureh, the homeland of Kunta Kinteh.