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AGRICULTURE & DEVELOPMENT: Turkish Foundation donates food aid to needy Gambians

Jun 29, 2015, 9:26 AM | Article By: Abdoulie Nyockeh

Cemiyetul Hayr Relief Organization (CHRO) in The Gambia in collaboration with a Turkish Foundation, called International Humanitarian Relief Organization based in The Netherland (IHHNL), over the weekend donated food aid worth of 15,000 Euros to the needy communities in Kiang West District, Kombo East District and the Greater Banjul Area.

The donated items, which are part of Ramadan gifts, were 370 bags of rice of 25kg, 370 gallons of 5 litres each of oil, and 370 bags of sugar of 10kg.

The donors also presented 500 Euro to the orphanage of Cherno Essa Jallow Madrassa in Samba Tacko village in the Upper Fulladu district, meant for the children to buy clothes and shoes for the end of Ramadan prayer.

The presentation witnessed by officials of CHRO and the delegation from The Netherland, as well as the communities, was distributed within the three zones.

The first presentation of gifts was carried out at Insight Training Centre in Sinchu Alagie, which was distributed to various institutions in the Greater Banjul Area.

The second presentation was done in Medina village in Kiang West Lower River Region, while the last presentation was held at Omorto village in the Kombo East district.

The delegation also visited certain women kafos, in Brikama with the aim to witness their food aid distribution among themselves.

Speaking at the various distribution centres, the Secretary General of Cemiyetul Hayr Relief Organization (CHRO), Alagie Jawo, thanked the Almighty Allah for giving the donors the strength and ability to donate Ramadan gifts to the Muslim community in The Gambia.

He reminded the gathering that the donation was an annual activity by the donors, with the aim to give support to needy Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan.

According to the Secretary General of CHRO, these years the donated items had reduced due to the exchange rate of the dalasi, but nonetheless Mr Jawo urged the beneficiaries to have faith whatever items was given to them.

He said the aim of the organization is to ensure that they reach all the needy Muslims in The Gambia, and thanked the donors for the kind gesture.

He said that these gifts would go a long way in helping the needy during this holy month of Ramadan, while he called on the beneficiaries to continue praying for the IHHNL organization so that they would gather more gifts for needy Gambians.

Also speaking at the distribution point was the chairman of CHRO, Momodou Lamin Jarjue, who commended the donors for coming all the way from Holland to give support to the needy Gambian Muslims during this holy month of Ramadan, which is a sharing and caring month for Muslims.

He also cited the relationship between CHRO in The Gambia and their counterpart donors in Holland, while he described the donation as very timely.

He said CHRO is a charitable organization and a non-profit organization out to support the needy people.

He said with funding from such partners like IHHNL, CHRO was able to embark on very important projects in The Gambia by providing local wells, sponsoring of school children, and also give financial support to certain Madrassas.

He thanked the CHRO team on behalf of the Country Director for their commitment and dedication, to ensure that anything given to them reaches the rightful beneficiaries.

Speaking on behalf of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, Ebrima Sey also expressed similar sentiments and appreciation to the donors for the gesture.

He said the donated items have come to the right people, as they are in need of these items at this time of the holy month of Ramadan.

He said the IHHNL’s coming up with this food aid would greatly help the needy people during this holy month of Ramadan, as some find it very difficult to get a daily meal.

“We are very grateful to IHHNL, and assure them that we are praying for them for more progress in future,” he said.

Najib Halia, the delegation team leader, expressed appreciation and joy for the warm welcome accorded to them since their arrival in The Gambia.

He spoke about the hospitality of the Gambian people and said there was need to give support to the needy in The Gambia, during this holy month of Ramadan.

“We are delighted to give support to the people of The Gambia, and ask for more prayers,” he further stated.

Speaking on behalf of the Kiang West Chief, Baba Gibba described the gesture as very timely, as the people are in need of these items for breaking their fast during this holy month of Ramadan.

He hailed the donors through CHRO for donating these items, and for their magnificent gesture to the needy people, and assured the donors that the items donated have reached the rightful people and would be used for the intended purpose.

Speaker after speaker expressed appreciation over the donated items, and called for more assistance during this holy month of Ramadan.