In 2023 I sought access to a psychiatric hospital while vacationing in 4 African countries. After much time and effort unsuccessfully trying throughout the trip, the last day in the last country, The Gambia, a taxi driver, and good man named Ousman, told me he knew where the Tanka Tanka psychiatric hospital is located. I had a couple of hours to burn before leaving for the airport and that is just enough time. Initially, the director of the hospital denied my request to spend time with the patients until Ousman intervened on my behalf pleading that I am leaving The Gambia in a couple of hours. Thankfully, the director granted access to his facility.
After 7 years working at a state mental health hospital in the United States, what I saw at Tanka Tanka looked quite different. After touring the grounds and sitting with a group of male patients with severe schizophrenia for over 10 minutes, I felt inspired to ask what they liked about the hospital and what could be improved. They named four for each question that were the same: they have some food but would like more; they like the medications but would like to receive them more consistently; they have some clothes but would like more of better quality; and with no recreation supplies, or equipment of any kind, there is nothing for them to do for fun.
I boarded a plane and flew home incessantly thinking about what I saw that day. On the way back to my hotel, Ousaman offered to purchase, and deliver to the Tanka Tanka Hospital, whatever I wanted as his way to do a service to the patients at the hospital, and The Gambia. After returning home I sent Ousman enough money for one basketball and a soccer ball. He sent me photos and a video of the delivery and for days I thought about those patients now having something to kick around and pass the time.
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