Francis DeGaulle Njie Foundation recently held its 8th annual fund-raising and dinner at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.
The foundation, a charitable organization registered under the Company’s Act, was set up by the family of the late Francis DeGaulle Njie in commemoration of the values of excellence, and dedication to service that the late Francis DeGaulle Njie stood for throughout his short but exemplary life.
The foundation aims at helping young people, specifically with science background to excel in their educational pursuits and complement government’s effort in providing information, education and support to families affected by cancer, and currently supporting 12 students from 3 senior secondary schools in greater Banjul, with a scholarship of D5,000 per student per academic year.
Speaking at the ceremony, the chairperson of the Francis DeGaulle Njie Foundation, Vivat Thomas Njie, said since its inception the foundation had been helping the young minds to achieve their goals so they could contribute meaningfully their quota to national development and towards the Vision 2020.
She added that they inculcated business acumen in the minds of young people so they could be business-oriented to become productive citizens.
The contribution of the young minds is very important to any society, she said, calling on young people to take up the challenge that lies ahead of them.
The President of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muhammad Jagana, spoke about the significance of modern day technology.
He pointed out that technology is very important nowadays, adding that children should be taught the modern technology, because it’s a modern village and the world is conquered by the technology and urged people to make best use of it.
The ICT officer at the Ministry of Information Communication, Ms Khadijah Aja Tambajang, in her remarks, said she wants girls to be drivers of ICT, and not to be consumers of it, adding that right now there are pledges for sponsors from somewhere to sponsor 50 girls in ICT.
She also said girls should be more educated in ICT, as they are doing “very well” in it. “When you go to many of the institutions girls are doing very well there,” she noted.