Korean star Won Bin spent a week in the African nation of Gambia in April 2009 on a UNICEF mission. The 32-year-old actor has been actively involved in the humanitarian service organisation since 2007…
[image via Kdramaqueen]
6 Responses to “Won Bin shows love in Gambia with UNICEF”
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Gambia is a tiny strip of land that is centered around the Gambia river which opens to the Atlantic on the west coast of Africa. Since it gained independence from the British in 1965 it has been a pretty stable and peaceful place except during a brief military rule in 1994. Mostly farming a fishing is the source of income.
Earliest written records of the area were when muslims traveled there and converted people to Islam and established a trade route for gold and ivory. Later the Portuguese landed there and dominated trade.
Later Portuguese sold trade rights to the English. France and England fought over control of the area. Soon slave trade in the area started.
The Gambia shares historical roots with many other west African nations in the slave trade, which was key to the establishment of a colony on the Gambia river, first by the Portuguese and later by the British.
Most of the slaves taken were sold by other Africans to Europeans; some were prisoners of intertribal wars; some were sold because of unpaid debts; while others were kidnapped. Traders initially sent slaves to Europe to work as servants until the market for labor expanded westward. In 1807, the British abolished slave trading throughout their Empire. They also tried, unsuccessfully, to end the slave trade in The Gambia.
An 1889 agreement with France established the present day boundaries of Gambia. Then Gambia became a British Crown Colony. Gambia received its own executive and legislative councils in 1901 and gradually progressed toward self-government. It passed a 1906 ordinance abolishing slavery. On April 24, 1970, The Gambia became a republic within the Commonwealth, with Prime Minister Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, as head of state. This made The Gambia the first and last British colony in West Africa.
Nice note, thanks :)
Maybe Wo Bin should also go to the other place where UNICEF is right now…Sri lanka, and help out with humanitarian aid for all those people fleeing all the violence going on right now between the Tamill tigers and the Sri Lankan forces.. On second thought, I guess that’s a bit too dangerous right now. Even for a nice photo-op. Better leave those hot-spots to the pros.
He can’t even if he wants to. Humanitarian organisations have strict protocols, especially during real time crisis… as you mentioned, it’s up to the pros for these hot spots.
That is very nice and very touching of you Won Bin. To think how busy and popular you are in Korea and you still have the heart for the less fortunate and the needy. God Bless You and people like you.
yein jee thank you for featuring the artists who joins humanitarian aid. it really inspire a lot of people not only artist and it encourages the youth too. More power