The Republic of Gambia is one of the smallest countries in Africa. Located on the west coast, it is bordered on the north, east, and south by Senegal, and is cut down the middle by the Gambia River, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean.
Like many other African nations, the Gambia has a widespread AIDS problem, which has driven many Gambians to move to the United States of America in pursuit of a better life.
Among this group were Mr. and Mrs. Marong, who moved to New York City, where Mr. Marong now works as a cabdriver. In 2008, the Marongs became involved in an investigation into the welfare of Antonia Suarez, a small baby who was born with HIV. Questioned by the police, Mrs. Marong admitted that she'd taken Antonia to be treated by Dr. Gideon Hutton, who would later turn out to be both dangerously incompetent and a racist (he believed that the supposed existence of AIDS was nothing more than a ploy to trick governments into pouring more money into the black communities.) (SVU: "Retro")