THE GAMBIA'S new President has personally thanked the founder of the Marlborough Brandt Group for what he and his charity have done for the people of Gunjur over the last 34 years.

For more than three decades, the group has linked up with the Muslim community of Gunjur, where some 1,500 people from Wiltshire and the African nation have taken part in the exchange program, staying with families, contributing to community projects and sharing educational practices.

That special relationship culminated when founder Dr Nick Maurice was invited to the inauguration of Adama Barrow on February 19 and two days later he was thanked in person by the President at the Kairaba Beach Hotel, where he is running the country while the state house is repaired.

"It was an incredible honour and a huge privilege to meet President Barrow just two days after he came into office - it is something I will never forget," said Mr Maurice, who presented a paper weight containing the Marlborough crest to the President at their meeting.

"I did however make it very clear that this has been equally beneficial for people at home and in The Gambia. Many lives have been changed for the better and that is down to how welcoming the people of Gunjur are.

"It was great to hear him give plaudits for what many people in Marlborough have done and what has been achieved in Gambia, for instance how we are providing loans for young entrepreneurs there to set up businesses, which has been a highly successful programme.

"It was also wonderful to be in the company of three Gambian friends from Gunjur Madi Jatta, Mankamang Touray and Nabani Darboe, all of whom had received training in Marlborough in early childhood education and store-keeping in the late 1980's and early 1990's and now hold senior positions in the Ministry of Education and the National Water and Electricity Company."

Dr Maurice's trip, which was from February 14-21, also included spending time in Gunjur and making more contacts to strengthen their relationship further still.

"To be there during this historic time, where the dictator of 22 years, Yayha Jammeh, finally left the country, was very special. The scenes of celebration were incredible," he said.

"The country is rejoicing at this change and hopefully they can act as a beacon for other African countries, to show that peaceful, democratic elections can work. After 34 years, this is a real high point and our future is very bright.

"Now I am back in Marlborough, I have a great sense of optimism on behalf of our many friends in Gunjur and more widely in The Gambia and the hope that the international community will recognise the new regime and give it all the support that it deserves after 22 years of cruel dictatorship."