Biography
Tonna Kutner has her own company – Computer Lynx – which specializes in web sites and search engine optimization for web sites. She and Shelby have worked together for several years with the Seattle Chapter of the American Association of University Women. Tonna has provided technical support to GambiaHELP and has also assisted with the GambiaHELP auctions in a variety of ways. Tonna was the successful bidder at the 2006 auction for a trip to The Gambia with Shelby. Although Tonna has traveled extensively in East Africa, this is her first trip to West Africa.

Greetings from The Gambia

Dear Friends and Family:

I have made it finally to The Gambia. We first stopped in Dakar in Senegal. We are staying at my friend Shelby's office/home here not far from Banjul. The people are very nice. My friend Shelby has a non-profit organization here and we have been working with her friends here to get the container of medical supplies, books and other items unloaded so they can be distributed to the organizations where they are promised.

It is hot work but we have a lot of help. I worked on several old treadle sewing machines, getting them threaded and making sure they still work – they are promised in one of the villages. Reminds me of the days working on Grandma's treadle.

I am staying at Shelby's office/home not far from Banjul. It is very nice. Shelby has many friends here from working in the Peace Corps and now with GambiaHELP for 7 years building libraries, schools and helping with medical supplies and equipment.

I have met Kumuna – great matriarch of the family Shelby works with most. She is quite something. We will travel together "up-country" later this week. Isatou is her daughter who stays with us at Shelby's compound and helps us with cooking and many other things. We could not do much without her. Yesterday we filled many back packs with school supplies for the selected students in Dankunku – a village up-country.

Today I went to a clinic where one of the children in Shelby's "family" is sick and we went to see him with Sandy who is a nurse in US who is also traveling with us. We are all hoping he will get well. Has some infection and a fever. Now at the beach with Sandy and her friend Wilson – another Gambian. It is very hot. The sand is very fine. Just had some very ripe and delicious papaya.

Just wanted to let you all know I arrived safely and am having a very interesting time. Everything is so different from home, and yet people are very much the same with the same worries and joys.