Genieri
Place in Lower River Division, The Gambia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Genieri is a village in mid-central Gambia. It is located in Kiang East District in the Lower River Division. As of 2009, it has an estimated population of 694.[1] Located around 110 km from the capital of Banjul, Genieri is predominantly Mandinka.[2] According to the founding story of the village, Genieri was founded sometime in the early-to-mid 19th century by a man named Mamba Sanneh.[3]
Genieri | |
|---|---|
  Genieri Location in the Gambia | |
| Coordinates: 13°24′52.67″N 15°37′5.24″W | |
| Country |  The Gambia |
| Division | Lower River Division |
| District | Kiang East |
| Population (2009) | |
• Total | 694 (est.) |
Genieri is twinned with Yate, a town in the United Kingdom, a link that arose in 1986 as an initiative by a group of students. Yate has been active in funding development in Genieri.[4] In November 2018, the people of Genieri financed the development of a self-sufficient water source.[5] Genieri is home to a “Youth Skill Tailoring Centre”, opened in 2014.[6]
In 2018, Genieri was struck by a malaria epidemic, which killed an 18-year-old boy.[7] Genieri was able to afford treatment for all cases of Malaria thanks to a donation from Yate, though the village was still severely affected by it and was still recovering as of February 2019.[8] As of October 2020, Genieri had not been directly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, but lockdowns imposed by the Gambian government had negatively impacted the town's economy by preventing villagers from commuting to nearby towns for work.[9] The lockdown had also caused a severe food shortage.[10]
