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Letter from Africa: 'How I helped put Gambians on Google Maps' Letter from Africa: 'How I helped put Gambians on Google Maps'
(about 16 hours later)
In our series of letters from African journalists, Sierra Leonean-Gambian writer Ade Daramy explains how he was instrumental in getting Gambians an address.In our series of letters from African journalists, Sierra Leonean-Gambian writer Ade Daramy explains how he was instrumental in getting Gambians an address.
Last year I did a piece for the BBC about how easy was to get lost in The Gambia where very few streets are named. Last year I did a piece for the BBC about how easy it was to get lost in The Gambia where very few streets are named.
It sparked lively debate here in the small West African nation and I also received lots of messages on social media from people saying: "It's the same in my country."It sparked lively debate here in the small West African nation and I also received lots of messages on social media from people saying: "It's the same in my country."
Some viewed it as humour - as I explained how bank forms, for example, had boxes big enough for you to draw where your house was, in relation to the nearest landmarks.Some viewed it as humour - as I explained how bank forms, for example, had boxes big enough for you to draw where your house was, in relation to the nearest landmarks.
But it has taken Covid-19 to show us that addresses are not a cosmetic add-on but a necessity.But it has taken Covid-19 to show us that addresses are not a cosmetic add-on but a necessity.
How do you contact trace and monitor suspected coronavirus-infected people, if you do not have a proper address where you can find them?How do you contact trace and monitor suspected coronavirus-infected people, if you do not have a proper address where you can find them?
How do you pick up all the suspected cases to take to a quarantine centre, when you spend hours being directed to a single house and there are hundreds of patients in other places who also need to be picked up?How do you pick up all the suspected cases to take to a quarantine centre, when you spend hours being directed to a single house and there are hundreds of patients in other places who also need to be picked up?
Coronavirus 'to the rescue'Coronavirus 'to the rescue'
Well, imagine my surprise and delight when the non-profit organisation Finding Gambia called the TV channel where I work to see if we could cover a pilot scheme to give people addresses.Well, imagine my surprise and delight when the non-profit organisation Finding Gambia called the TV channel where I work to see if we could cover a pilot scheme to give people addresses.
My name and telephone number were given as contacts, at which point they said: "Is it the same Ade Daramy who wrote that BBC article?"My name and telephone number were given as contacts, at which point they said: "Is it the same Ade Daramy who wrote that BBC article?"
I was quite flattered to be told that my piece had been used in several meetings to convince potential partners - central government and municipal councils - of the necessity for addresses.I was quite flattered to be told that my piece had been used in several meetings to convince potential partners - central government and municipal councils - of the necessity for addresses.
The people who started Finding Gambia, Bakary Suso and Alieu Sowe, explained that they were using something called "plus codes" to do this.The people who started Finding Gambia, Bakary Suso and Alieu Sowe, explained that they were using something called "plus codes" to do this.
It is Google technology, useable both online and offline, that creates a short code for any location which can easily direct people using Google Maps.It is Google technology, useable both online and offline, that creates a short code for any location which can easily direct people using Google Maps.
The codes work just like street addresses - and are made up of a combination of two elements:The codes work just like street addresses - and are made up of a combination of two elements:
Needless to say, I was intrigued, as our team set off to "address" the issue.Needless to say, I was intrigued, as our team set off to "address" the issue.
We arrived at the first house where a sign with its code printed on was fixed to the outside wall.We arrived at the first house where a sign with its code printed on was fixed to the outside wall.
The process was repeated at residences and businesses in one of the largest residential areas of The Gambia, each with its own unique identifier.The process was repeated at residences and businesses in one of the largest residential areas of The Gambia, each with its own unique identifier.
I tested it out on my Google Map app - and indeed it worked - pointing me directly to one of the doors.I tested it out on my Google Map app - and indeed it worked - pointing me directly to one of the doors.
Despite the unarguable logic of this or any address system, Mr Suso and Mr Sowe told me they had been having a hard time getting the required authorities on board, which is where Covid-19 has probably come to their rescue.Despite the unarguable logic of this or any address system, Mr Suso and Mr Sowe told me they had been having a hard time getting the required authorities on board, which is where Covid-19 has probably come to their rescue.
More on The Gambia:More on The Gambia:
The authorities have been dealing with the nightmare of people absconding from quarantine and not being able to trace them.The authorities have been dealing with the nightmare of people absconding from quarantine and not being able to trace them.
There was laughter from journalists when the this first happened, after a minister sought to allay worries at a press conference by saying: "We have their contact details." There was laughter from journalists when this first happened, after a minister sought to allay worries at a press conference by saying: "We have their contact details."
It turned out, all they had were telephone numbers and a vague idea of the area in which they lived.It turned out, all they had were telephone numbers and a vague idea of the area in which they lived.
It's like trying to find someone who tells you their address is "Peckham, London" or "Kibera, Nairobi" or "Alexandra, Johannesburg".It's like trying to find someone who tells you their address is "Peckham, London" or "Kibera, Nairobi" or "Alexandra, Johannesburg".
'The fire engine was too late''The fire engine was too late'
As part of the fight against Covid-19, the health ministry has ordered 33 new ambulances and the Red Cross has ordered seven.As part of the fight against Covid-19, the health ministry has ordered 33 new ambulances and the Red Cross has ordered seven.
However, until the plus codes are rolled out across the country, which with government backing Finding Gambia optimistically thinks will take around three years, those ambulances will still struggle to get to people's homes.However, until the plus codes are rolled out across the country, which with government backing Finding Gambia optimistically thinks will take around three years, those ambulances will still struggle to get to people's homes.
My TV channel could broadcast at least one or two stories a week about houses or compounds consumed by fire, with each resident telling the same story: "The fire engine found the place too late."My TV channel could broadcast at least one or two stories a week about houses or compounds consumed by fire, with each resident telling the same story: "The fire engine found the place too late."
The beneficiaries of the new plaques were happy that this was unlikely now to be their fate.The beneficiaries of the new plaques were happy that this was unlikely now to be their fate.
Though the owner of one house, well-known music producer Abdou Karim Waagan Fye, having sung the praises of this address system, did say: "I'd still like to have a street name, though, so, I can tell someone, 'I live at such and such a street.'"Though the owner of one house, well-known music producer Abdou Karim Waagan Fye, having sung the praises of this address system, did say: "I'd still like to have a street name, though, so, I can tell someone, 'I live at such and such a street.'"
Music to my ears - as while the plus codes system is good, it lacks the community spirit that street names bring.Music to my ears - as while the plus codes system is good, it lacks the community spirit that street names bring.
And how do you form a street football team if you don't have street name?And how do you form a street football team if you don't have street name?
More Letters from Africa:More Letters from Africa:
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