All, I stumbled on this during my lunch hour and was startled at these stats regarding our youth in US schools: "in 2002, 1056 visa issued; 667 students lost or abandoned their students status; 349 students still in school' 55 students completed a course of study and only 6 students who they verify returned to The Gambia." That means 63% dropped out/quit/stopped attending and that is alarming. Folks, the least we can do for the young coming into this country is to encourage them to stay in school or learn a trade. Other wise we would be grooming future third class citizens/residents. It does not take long for one to wake up in this country to find they clocked 40, 50 or 60. Those that stay the course and complete should mentor the younger generation and share your experience, so they know it was also hard for you to prevail, but you rose over the hump and they can too. Those that regret not registering or quitting are should also use their regret for these young brothers/sisters to learn from their regret. Yes, getting an education in this country or any where for that matter is not easy and is very expensive, but try lack of education or trade? Whether you return to Gambia or stay abroad, you need to learn a trade or go to college. You can use that knowledge as long as you live. So please, let us look at this statistic and endeavor to turn things around and start with a student near you, for "A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste". My hat's off to those that stayed the course and I hope you continue to develop, and please reach out and pull someone up. To those that are still sitting in the classroom, we know your struggles and rest if you must, but you have a mission to complete. Just remember that thousands went through similar or worse trials, and they still came out ahead. So, stay on. To those that have regrets, it is never too late. In my graduating class of '89 at Wabash College, there was a 63 year young fellow that triumph over his regret. I looked at him as the definition of hope and never giving up in the face of adversity. So, if it is still in you just take the first step of visiting a college near you or trade school. You'd be surprised to see that that there are many folks older that you full of spring on their toes endeavoring to excel and improve their circumstance. Some came from the military, others due to downsizing, others from other life challenges and issues. One thing they have in common is the thirst to learn. So, you too can do it. I hope to read one day that the stats are more like 70-90% graduating. Chi Jaama Joe Please read on. Gambia: U.S. Consular Chris Zimmer Speaks to the Press FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda) March 17, 2007 Posted to the web March 19, 2007 Sarjo Camara-Singhateh & Amie Sanneh The Consular at the United States Embassy, Mr. Chris Zimmer, held a media tour of the Gambian Press on the 14th of March 2007. Mr. Chris Zimmer said the reason for this tour is to inform the public that visa application has now been switched to online electronic application which applicants can use to apply by visiting the Embassy's website on www. Usembassybanjul.gm. He stated that the following are required: passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival in the US; completed application form D5-156 and form D5-157; one passport size photograph, size 5*5cm, full face with a light background preferably (white); a receipt for the non-refundable visa application fee of US$100 paid in Gambian Dalasis at Standard Chartered Bank. He said the additional requirements for suggested documents are listed by visa type on the reverse side. "The suggested documents are often useful to show that applicants have strong ties to The Gambia that would compel them to return home after a temporary stay in the US," he said. He said other documents required by visa type that non-Gambians must present are Gambian residency documents at the time of interview. Those applicants must bring expired passport for review. He said in most cases, the consular office can make a decision on eligibility for a non-immigrant visa at the time of interview in a few cases, however, applicants might be requested to return with additional document before a final decision can be made. He said once the Consular Office reaches a final decision, one of the following would be communicated to the applicant: (a) You qualify for a visa and are asked to return the next day to collect your passport and visa. (b) You do not qualify and you receive a letter that explains the reason for your ineligibility for a visa and your passport is returned; you may always reapply for a visa at a later date. Mr. Zimmer said that in 2005-2006 about 6036 applications applied for a US visa but only 2737 succeeded. He said about 33 people were caught using faked identities in the past year. He said the most popular destination for visa applicants are New York, Maryland, Seattle, Atlanta, Detroit and. He said the records they have on students are as follows: in 2002, 1056 visa issued; 667 students lost or abandoned their students status; 349 students still in school' 55 students completed a course of study and only 6 students who they verify returned to The Gambia. The Consular spoke on numerous fraud cases which he said, he is working closely with the immigration and the police to halt. He further stated that some women do obtain visa on other grounds while in the real fact they just go to deliver their children in the US which is not acceptable. He said other frauds include marriage fraud, inappropriate business activities, concealing American children or family members, to name a few. Relevant Links West Africa Gambia United States, Canada and Africa Mr. Zimmer urged Gambian parents with American children to educate their children. He said many a time a child of 17 years does thump print their forms/passports without the ability to sign, which he said is very ridiculous. In response to the question from the press the consular said, his office is here to facilitate easy travelling of American citizens, and for Gambians who have good reason to travel or to go and read skills that cannot be easily found in The Gambia. He urged Gambians with US Citizenship to register them to the Embassy. He said his office gives two types of passport to US Citizens that is the Emergency passport and the National passport. He said the Emergency passport is for Repatriation Child Abduction, Warden Messages, arrests, deaths and evacuation. The consular further stated that the non-refundable fees are used to facilitate all the expenses of the Consular Department and its programmes. The Visa Assistant, Ms. Mary Rose Gomez, did a demonstration on how to fill the visa application on line, to the press. _________________________________________________________________ Get a FREE Web site, company branded e-mail and more from Microsoft Office Live! http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/mcrssaub0050001411mrt/direct/01/ いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい