A
Dutch foundation, Rainbow for Gambia, has donated seven beds with mattresses
and boxes of clothes and toys to Hart House, a home for children with learning
difficulties in Sinchu Alhagie, Kombo North.
Speaking
at the presentation ceremony at Hart House yesterday, Penda Sowe, national
coordinator of the foundation, said the materials are expected to make the
lives of the children more comfortable and fun.
The
foundation, established in 2005, gives support to the two most critical areas
of development: education and health.
In
the area of education, Rainbow for Gambia has almost completed building a
primary school in Manjai. Mrs Sowe said
the school will be handed over to the community in February 2017. The foundation had supported Brufut Upper
Basic School and a nursery school in Sukuta with school materials including
desks and chairs.
In
the area of health, Rainbow for Gambia has built a health centre in Niamina
Peyai, and donated theatre equipment to the theatre ward of Serekunda General
Hospital, the second largest hospital in The Gambia.
Mrs
Sowe said before the donation of the equipment to the hospital, it was very
difficult for the Ministry of Health to get them for the hospital. The foundation has also supported Brikama
Health Centre labour ward with some medical equipment.
As
part of its future plans, the foundation is to build a health centre in Bullock
when funds are available.
Rainbow
for Gambia national coordinator said they mainly support health and education
because any support in these areas touches the lives a lot of people.
She
thanked Rainbow foundation partners in Holland for their continued
support.
The
foundation’s partners in Holland do organise trade fairs, church collections
and also do collect apples for sale so as to raise fund for the operations of
the foundation in The Gambia.
Geoff
Hunwicks, chief executive officer of Hart House, expressed gratitude to Rainbow
for Gambia and its partner Goods for Gambia, a Dutch foundation that
transported the donated materials to The Gambia.
“We
are grateful to the Dutch people; they are prominent in all areas supporting
our operations,” he said.
Mr
Hunwicks said the donated beds would be useful in replacing the old wooden ones
currently being used at the centre.
Rohey
Hunwicks, managing director of the centre, said some of the beds being used by
the children are 10 years old.
“We
have been nailing them every now and then so that the children can use it
comfortably,” she said.
Madam
Hunwicks expressed special thanks to the donors for considering the lives of
the poor innocent, children at the centre.
