Before 1994, they were apart, just in the mid 1994 they were friends and today they are two brothers sharing common interests. I am referring to the unshaken relationship between The Gambia and the Asian island republic of China (Taiwan). Since 1995, Gambia has established diplomatic relations with several countries like Taiwan and Cuba. These ties are exhibited more in development areas such as education, agricultural, health and host of others.
 
Gambia’s relationship with Taiwan has now taken new directions with the two countries bridging gaps and creating cooperation among their youths. This is indeed a worthy attempt that amply demonstrates the  cordial ties between the two countries. It started last year when a group of young people came to The Gambia to integrate and make friends with Gambian youths through learning each others culture.

The programme which is dubbed: “Youth Ambassadors Cultural Programme” seeks to nurture friendship between the young peoples of The Gambia and Taiwan through culture. Last year’s delegation successfully strengthened mutual understanding and friendship between youths of the two countries. This year eight youths and one professor from the Taiwan National University of Technology attended the two-week extensive cultural learning programme, which ended last Friday at the Baobab Holiday Resort in Bijilo. The visiting Taiwanese youth were passionately grateful about the programme.

The feature of the  camp was combination of cultural activities including  Taiwanese customs, Chinese Kong Fu, ice breaking and the  misery of physics – Water Rocket; and lots of Gambian culture and traditions. It was a  wonderful and memorable experience, and the two cultures together have demonstrated the unlimited possibility to actualize the global village’s vision of love, care, and friendship without boundaries. It was a sad moment for all the participants on the final day of the camp; people were dropping tears.

The youth exchange programme is organized by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The International Youth Ambassador Programme aims at strengthening Taiwan’s bilateral relations with allies. The programme enables students to befriend peoples from different parts of the world and showcase the culture of Taiwan. The 2011 International Youth Ambassador Programme attracted 107 proposals, out of which 37 were selected. This is the second consecutive year for NDHU to participate in the International Youth Ambassador Programme.

The two sides also learnt each others’ local languages and songs. The most touching part of it was a Wolof song: “Nu Yoo-Nyung leni nu yoo ndesan. Nu yoo nyung leni Nyibi ndesan,” This was the predominant song in the camp and the Taiwanese youth loved it a lot and when they understood the actual meaning of the song, one could see tears dropping from their eyes. The song means “Greetings, we are greeting…sympathy...... greetings we are going home,” Many people at the occasion including myself were moved by the actions. It was nice; very great to make new friends but it is very crazy to part them.