The Gambian community in Atlanta, under the leadership of Atlanta Gambia Emergency Relief Association (AGERA) a non-profit community organization registered in Atlanta Georgia, is yet again poised to celebrate July Fourth Reunion 2009. Atlanta Georgia is the city with the largest concentration of Gambians outside of The Gambia, and the annual July fourth reunion has become a major calendar event for Gambians all over the world; it is indeed compared to our celebration of our National day – in the Gambia.

The July fourth reunion is an annual event where Gambians all over the USA, Europe, and in the Gambia, would make the annual pilgrimage to Atlanta to celebrate our cultural heritage, and the opportunity to meet old friend and family members. The event attracts close to over ten thousand Gambians, and for a country of 1.5 Million, this is indeed seen as an important calendar event for this tiny country in West Africa, off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The annual tradition has been going on for the past twenty years, the events include outside cultural festivals, soccer tournaments, musical shows- showcasing young Gambian musicians, mega stars like Youssou ndure from our neighboring country of Senegal, and discussion forums geared towards peace, stability and prosperity in the Gambia.

 AGERA is an emergency organization committed to intervene, and help with emergency situations in all Gambian communities in the Diaspora. Proceeds from July Fourth reunion are earmarked for emergency situations affecting different Gambian communities. For instance, Gambians who are faced with a chronic illness, but lack insurance coverage or not having insurance coverage at all, AGERA will step in to help with buying of medication, and sometimes contributes to major medical operations to the uninsured. In addition, AGERA’s major involvement is when there is death in the community. As part of our culture, most Gambians would like to have their love ones to be transported and buried in the Gambia. AGERA spearheads, and works closely with families during these difficult times. AGERA focuses on the logistics and the financing of transporting the deceased for burial to the Gambia, and most importantly bring the kind of emotional support to the bereaved family. Finally, like other communities in the USA, Gambian communities do embrace the American melting pot, but we also engaged in programs and education to educate the young ones to our cultural heritage, ethos and beliefs. AGERA invests and contributes to programs geared towards the development of youths within our communities.

 The planning for July Fourth 2009 has begun, and Gambian artists all over the world are heading to Atlanta, Georgia for the celebration. The big curtain riser for this year’s event is the invitation of Haynzy an R&B singer from the UK and a repeat of the infamous fashion show during the cultural night. For soccer enthusiast, July Fourth 2009 is introducing a U 10 and U12 for our kids and a veteran tournament as well. To quote, the Chairman of the Sports committee: we are looking to bringing the under seventeen national champions and teams from the Gambia to participate in the July Fourth festivities in the very near future.

To Gambians and friends of Gambia all over the world, please join us the weekend of July 03 2009 to July 06 2009 to celebrate our heritage, and reunite with family and friends. Please visit AGERA’s website at http://www.agera-gam.org  or sent comments, requests and suggestions to agera.gam@gmail.com

  ADDRESS OF AGERA

  PO BOX 80802

  ATLANTA, GA. 30366