A two-woman delegation from South Sudan was in The Gambia to convey a condolence message to the family of the late Kombeh Jallow Kaira, who passed away on 12 February 2014, in The Gambia.
The late Kombeh Jallow Kaira died shortly after her return from South Sudan, where she gave a helping hand to the concerned parties and people, in their political crisis.
The delegation was sent to The Gambia by the First Lady of the Republic of South Sudan, Her Excellency, Mary Ayen Mayardit, to come on her behalf to see the family of the late Kombeh Jallow Kaira and extend her condolence message to her family.
The late Kombeh Jallow Kaira was the country coordinator of the Women Advancement for Economic and Leadership Empowerment in Africa WAELE/ARCELFA, an international organisation with representatives in forty-six African countries.
According to the delegates, the late Kombeh Jallow Kaira travelled to South Sudan during their most difficult moments in history, the political crisis that ended with the killing of lots of women and children in their new nation.
She went there with her organisation to lend a helping hand to the people of South Sudan and was fortunate to meet with the First Lady of the Republic of South Sudan. They shared a lot of things in common regarding women empowerment and children’s welfare.
Speaking at the family compound of the late Kombeh Jallow Kaira, the Nigerian High Commissioner to The Gambia, Ambassador Esther John Audu, who welcomed the delegates upon their arrival at the Banjul International Airport, said the untimely death of the late Kombeh Jallow Kaira occurred shortly after she came from visiting the Republic of South Sudan to deliver a relief during the recent crisis in that country.
She had a brief illness and suddenly died, High Commissioner Audu said, adding that it was on account of this incident that South Sudan First Lady sent a two-woman delegation to visit the family and see the children.
Her Excellency Mary Ayen Mayardit would love to come but due to her busy schedule, she delegated the two women to come and see the family on her behalf, the High Commissioner explained.
She seized the opportunity to thank the South Sudanese First Lady and the government of South Sudan for sympathizing with the family of the late Kombeh Jallow Kaira.
According to HC Audu, the high-profile visit was a sign of true friendship and love for each other, which also shows that they are all one despite the distance between South Sudan and The Gambia.
In her remarks, the head of the delegation, Madam Viana Kakuli Aggrey, Technical Adviser for women and children at the Office of the South Sudanese First Lady, said she was delegated with her colleague by the First Lady to come to The Gambia to convey her condolence message to the family of the late Kombeh Jallow Kaira, who went to their country to deliver a message of hope after the country’s recent civil conflict emanating from a failed coup.
According to her, the late Kombeh, during her visit to South Sudan, had the opportunity to see the First Lady in person and had positive interactions with her. Hence when messages of Kombeh’s death reached the First Lady, she decided to send a high-profiled delegation of two women to The Gambia to convey her condolence to the bereaved family.
Madam Aggrey further stated that the South Sudanese First Lady emphasised on showing love and care for the children.
She further told the family to give maximum attention to the children of the late Kombeh because the First Lady has an organization that deals with children, saying it is painful being a child without a mother.
She also said the late Kombeh had love for South Sudan and was ready to share with them their concern for their country.
Tereza Atio Luac, ex-director for Concern for Women and Children, Office of the South Sudanese First Lady, who was also part of the delegation, expressed delight to be in The Gambia to convey a condolence message to the family of the late Kombeh Jallow Kaira, who showed care for everyone.
She said the late Kombeh travelled all the way from The Gambia to South Sudan to deliver a gift that saved so many lives in that country, which made a difference to the lives of many people there.
Her role and generosity needs to be recognized in the society, Madam Tereza said of the late Kombeh, while describing her as a devoted, committed and concerned lady for humanity.
Alhagie Banta Kaira, husband to the late Madam Kombeh Jallow Kaira, expressed appreciation with receiving the delegation to The Gambia.
The sympathetic act of the First Lady and the Government of South Sudan was very touching, he said, adding that it shows true friendship and the concern they have for the late Kombeh and her family.
He assured the delegation that the relationship would continue to grow and seized the opportunity to thank the Government of South Sudan and the First Lady in particular for their show of love and sympathy.
He as well gave special thanks to the Nigerian High Commissioner for welcoming the delegation to The Gambia and escorting them to see the family of the late Kombeh Kaira.
Dr Basirat Nahibi, founder President of WAELE, described the late Kombeh as devoted, committed and hardworking woman who was among WAELE/ARCELFA delegation to South Sudan on peace mission to present relief materials to internally displaced persons (IDPs) on 5 February 2014.
