Aminata receives

treatment in UK

by Momodou Musa Secka

Reports have reached in The Gambia that young Aminata Sawaneh, who was sponsored to the United Kingdom by Simon Wezel, Kingfisher Trust, The Gambia, is progressively receiving treatment.

Six-year old Aminata went to the UK with her mother, Mama Janneh-Sawaneh early this year for her to get the vital operation she needs to cure her deafness and give her a brighter future.

According to reports from Mr and Mrs L.V Robinson, the family Aminata and her mother are staying with in Blackheath, Essex both have now settled in a new house of their own in Colchester, Essex the oldest recorded town in England.

For the first two weeks they acclimatized themselves to their new surroundings, neighbours, family and friends. At the moment, all the doctors required for assessments have performed their duties, prior to the actual

plastic surgery which is expected to be done soon.

The reports further revealed that Aminata's examinations have of the ear, nose throat and eyes. Also, the heart and lungs.

"A satisfactory outcome is being hoped for",the report stated.

THOMSON Tours Refuses

To Fly Aminata To UK

FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1997 by Cherno Kebbeh

The fate of little Aminata Sawaneh, who is desperate for plastic surgery in the UK, was in limbo when she failed to board her flight to the UK. Last Tuesday, THOMSON Tours, on its last flight of the season, reportedly refused to take little Aminata and her mother to the UK, although they met all requirements. ***Publishes According to the founder of the Kingfisher Trust Mr. Simon Wezel, who first highlighted Aminata's plight in the East Anglian Daily Times, he was informed by the Banjul International Airport staff that THOMSON office in London had instructed them not to take the girl and her mother to the

UK. Mr. Wezel, told the Point that, earlier after booking the air ticket, THOMSON staff told them that they only needed a valid visa and a meningitis vaccination certificate, which they had obtained.

The Kingfisher Trust founder disclosed that at the Airport on Tuesday, he together with Lorna Robinson, the Kingfisher Trust Secretary in UK, who came over to assist Aminata's mother tried to talk to the Captain of the Britannia aircraft, "but he refused". Lorna flew out with the THOMSON flight.

Meanwhile, Mr. Wezel on Wednesday informed the Point that the Gambia Experience has now rescued of the girl and that she is due to leave today.

It would be recalled that Aminata Sawaneh faced some difficult in securing a visa to the UK.

It should be noted that Kingfisher Trust, a registered charitable organisation in the Gambia is sponsoring Aminata.

In November 1996, two British Journalists from the East Anglian Daily Times visited the Gambia for an exclusive highlights on the seven years old girl in a bid to ascertain the need for plastic surgery to cure her deafness

Meanwhile, the Point on Wednesday contacted Gambia Experience and they confirmed that Aminata is joining their today's flight.

is being hoped for", the report stated