Saruja Foundation annual financial report indicates progress

The 2017 financial report of The Saruja Foundation (TSF) indicates that it has made potential progress and achievement in contribution to community economic and livelihood empowerment in the areas of road rehabilitation and cleaning exercises, taps and borehole maintenance and payment of borehole security. It also indicated that the foundation’s successes were triggered by the large number of peoples’ commitment and willingness to volunteer for progress, including executive committee members, youth, women and elders, who give a significant amount of their time to the activities of the foundation.

Presenting the report before members at Saruja village in Central River Region’s Fulladou West District, the Foundation’s treasurer Yankuba Sanneh said the Foundation received D178, 000 as contributions and donation while D120, 175 was spent on various development activities in the village. He further stated that the total net assets amounted to D54, 426.36.

The Saruja Foundation (TSF) is a registered non-profit charitable organisation under the Laws of The Gambia Companies Act 2013 operating to address development issues affecting the community of Saruja, and the need to foster a strong sense of unity among the community and stakeholders of Saruja. The idea to establish the Foundation was conceived in 2015 and was registered as a non-profit, charitable, non-political and non-religious organisation on 7 August 2017 to respond to the needs of the village in areas such as healthcare, education, environmental protection, entrepreneurship, youth empowerment and cultural promotion.

Mr. Mustapha Nyabally, the President of the Foundation said Saruja natives living in the diaspora have also made a significant contribution to the Foundation’s success, saying in total, everyone in the community has made a contribution to the successes.

Ansumana Conateh, the Foundation’s Secretary-General said they established the foundation to create a united, prosperous and dynamic community by harmoniously working closely to identify appropriate and innovative solutions to sustainably support all Sarujankas in a way worthy of emulation by others. He said the Foundation work with the citizens and friends of Saruja village both at home and abroad to holistically address issues affecting the village. “We believe that collective participation shall make us triumph in our endeavours by fostering unity and love regardless of our individual differences.”

Representing the Alkalo of the community, Mr. Sheriff Trawally expressed commitment towards village development, reminding members that the village belongs to all of “us” and the Alkalo is ready to give any form of support to the foundation in achieving its objectives.

Other speakers include Kebuteh Conateh and Bura Jaiteh, both members of the Foundation’s advisory committee.