Oustass Muhammed Fatty, Headmaster of Madarassa Zeenatul Islamic and Ashraful Madaris meaning (Memorize the Holy Quran) all in Kuntaur town, Niani District, Central River Region commended Caravan of Mercy, a charity operating in the country.
In an interview with reporters recently, Fatty used the opportunity to highlight some of the achievements registered by the NGO.
According to him, the Caravan of Mercy has built two Madarassas in Niani District of the country.
He said the Madarasa, which was inaugurated in 2012 is one of its kinds to be built in CRR. He disclosed that fifty seven percent of them are boys, while twenty six are orphans.
“For the enrollment of girls in the boarding Madarassa, plans are underway to enroll girls in the Ashraful Madaris,” said Fatty.
According to him, the students are also given monthly stipend by the administration to take care of small items like buying soaps, credit cards etc.
“They have three meals a day and their meals are well prepared which is also rich in nutrition,” Fatty stated.
He added that the Madarassa which was officially opened in November, 2006, has graduated many students, adding that the Madarassa has also employed five Oustass, one watchman and caretaker.
He also explained that the Madarassa starts from grade one to nine, noting that a detailed proposal to have grade ten to twelve is in progress.
He also spoke at length on some of the donations the NGO has been rendering to Gambians and non-Gambians, saying that every Tobaski and Koriteh prayers, the organisation gives out meats and cloths to local communities.
He explained that the NGO also gives medical items to some health centres in the country, citing Brikama Major Health Centre, Serrekunda General Hospital, among others.
His further appealed to parents and guardians to advise their children to be careful when using candles. He then called on other philanthropists, NGOs and individuals to emulate Caravan of Mercy.
For his part, Caravan of Mercy, overseas coordinator, Mr. Pa Modou Sillah, said Caravan of Mercy is a registered UK charity, with a registered office in The Gambia and Ghana in West Africa.
The charity, he added, is also working in Senegal, Kenya, India and Bangladesh, adding that the charity, which was formed in 2006 in The Gambia, have been consistent in its drive to reach out to different communities.
Mr. Sillah recalled that Caravan of Mercy has since 2006 been working in The Gambia and that it has the following ongoing projects- Ramadan food distribution to needy Gambians, clothes, shoes, Islamic literature distribution, Qurbani, Makhtab sponsor, orphans sponsor, school and Hafiz class project and Quran.
Caravan of Mercy, he added, is an international aid and development organisation that aims to alleviate poverty and human sufferings around the world.
On their aims, Sillah said they want to provide basic food and shelter for widows, orphans and families in need, reconstruct mosques, education centres and provide funds for their day-to-day running and maintenance.
“We are only doing these for the students, because we don’t want them to be distracted from any form of educational pursuit,” he said.
“Our future plans are to establish girls’ orphanage in Serekunding where they will receive full education from grade one to twelve,” Sillah concluded.
