The
Gambia Family Planning Association (GFPA) recently empowered five
community-based organizations with income generating facilities and cash worth
more than D250,000.
The
beneficiary communities are within the implementation zone of the Trans-Gambia
Bridge Corridor (TGBC) project, funded by the African Development Bank.
The
microfinance support was the second phase of a sensitization and gender
empowerment contract awarded to the GFPA by the Ministry of Works, Construction
and Infrastructure, and the National Road Authority.
The
support to the community-based organizations was preceded by series of
sensitizations on road safety, sexually transmitted diseases and first aid
application for drivers, ‘chef de garages’, health workers, police officers and
school children within TGBC project area.
The
assistance was in response to a request made by the five associations during
consultative meetings spearheaded by the GFPA with a view to sound their
entrepreneurial aspirations.
Salaloo
Drama Group in Farafenni received soap making utensils and inputs, as well as
meat and cereal grinders and a cheque for D5,000.
Presenting
the items, GFPA Executive Director Yankuba Dibba described the drama group as a
crucial means of public sensitization on matters pertinent to personal,
communal and national development.
He
said GFPA would also give D1,000 to the group as transportation cost anytime
they go out to perform drama. The GFPA earlier registered the drama group at
the Attorney General’s Chambers as a legal entity that can tap and benefit from
any future project.
The
lead consultant, Foma Ceesay, said the donation was a capital seed, the success
of which would attract more benefits for the group. He thus urged the group to endeavor to make
the most out of the venture.
The
GFPA Area Manager for NBR Modou Ndure, the Councillor of Farafenni Ward Modou
Lamin Jagne and GFPA liaison in Farafenni Sainey Dibba all commended GFPA for
their hard work and dedication to the welfare of local communities.
The
president of the Salaloo Drama Group, Nyarra Jadama, expressed gratitude over
the gesture noting that it will enable them to provide more support to their
families.
Kanbeng-kafo
and Takuligaye women garden groups in Kunjo village, North Bank Region, were
also lucky beneficiaries of the GFPA’s generosity. Each of the two groups received assortment of
horticultural implements and inputs including seeds and insecticides.
Speaking
at the presentation ceremony, the lead consultant of the project, Foma Ceesay,
urged the beneficiaries to utilize the items judiciously.
He
advised them to remain united and ensure the success of the venture in order to
attract more of similar projects.
GFPA
Senior Programme Officer Modou Njie lauded ADB and NRA for the support and
urged the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by making the most out of
the donated items.
The
Alkalo of Kunjo, Lang Conteh, and others such as Mariama Faye of KanbengKafo,
Ya Awa Faye of Takuligaye, and the chairman of the village development
committee Suma Jadama all welcomed the gesture. They noted that the assistance
will promote food security and enable them to better cater for their family
needs.
Kumdeh-kai
Drama group in Jarra Sankuwia Lower River Region also received entrepreneurial
support in the form of soap making
equipment and inputs, as well as meat and cereal grinders, dozens of plastic
chairs for income generation and a cheque for D5,000.
The
drama group was also registered earlier at the Attorney General’s Chambers as a
full fledge legal entity by the GFPA.
Presenting
the items, GPFA Executive Director Yankuba Dibba reaffirmed his agency’s
commitment to the development and general welfare of local communities.
He
expressed hope that upon completion the Trans-Gambia Corridor project, there
will be bigger market to entrepreneurs in the area.
Mr
Dibba also promised the group D1,000 for transportation cost anytime they
embark on public sensitisation.
The
lead consultant, Foma Ceesay, and GFPA Senior Programme Officer Modou Njie
urged the group to work hard for the success of the venture in order to attract
more support.
They
enjoined the beneficiaries to remain united and steadfast in enlightening
people on road safety, reproductive health and family welfare.
The
GFPA project coordinator, Abdou Rufa Sanneh, and the Area Manager Jahey
Jamanka, made similar remarks.
The
Alkalo of Sankuwia, Madi Kanyi, and one Seedy Jammeh both described the drama
group as a source of pride for their community. The duo noted that the
assistance will motivate the group to be more proactive in sensitizing the
public on relevant issues.
In
a bid to promote road safety, the GFPA also donated over 250 reflectors to the
Association of Donkey and Ox Cart Drivers in Jarra Soma, Lower River Region.
The
donation comprising reflector jackets, triangular standers and traffic
reflectors was a fulfillment of the road safety component of the Trans-Gambia
Bridge Corridor project.
In
his address, a road safety expert, Alhaji Lang K Conteh, said donkey and ox
carts are vital means of transportation in the area and urged the beneficiaries
to make best use of the items to promote road safety.
A
representative of the chairman of Mansakonko Area Council, Dodou Saidyba, made
similar comments.
Couple
Ousman Mbye, and the president of the association, Alhaji Baba Drammeh, both
lauded the gesture citing the crucial role cart drivers play in transporting
goods within the area particularly places that cannot be accessed by vehicles.
The
duo warned that any cart driver found without reflectors will be dealt with and
further warned people of the area to desist from giving carts to minors.
GPFA
Executive Director Yankuba Dibba, and a specialist in community development,
Mamanding Kuyateh, who is also a senior consultant of the project, reiterated
their continued support to the association with a view to enhance road safety
within the implementation zone of the Trans-Gambia Bridge Corridor project.
