$100,000 project work commences in W/Coast Region

The communities of Kankurang village and Kafenkeng village in West Coast Region are currently benefiting from a project worth over $100,000.

The project was made possible through the combined efforts of Riders for Health -The Gambia, in collaboration with Gram Vikas (GV), an NGO in India mainly supporting the water and sanitation project at the two communities in West Coast Region.

The funds are required to provide for boreholes, the construction of elevated water tanks and sale of plumbing materials. The project is geared towards providing clean water supply and sanitation facilities to the communities.

The funding of the project was secured by Riders for Health and Gram Vikas, an Indian NGO from an American-based organisation called Skoll Foundation.

The project, expected to be completed within six months, is also geared towards covering forty-eight households in the two communities.

Skoll Foundation has a long history of supporting Riders for Health in The Gambia. In 2008 Skoll Foundation partnered with Riders for Health, and Guaranty Trust Bank (G) Limited to fund a groundbreaking healthcare vehicle leasing programme, which is helping health workers reach all areas of the country.

Speaking at the commencement of the work, Joe Madiath, founder and executive director of Gram Vikas, said the importance attached to the project cannot be overemphasised in the sense that the project “will increase the quality of life” of the people.

“This project is a good example to the whole Gambia and in  West Africa,” he said while challenging the communities of the two villages to take ownership of the project to ensure it be of benefit to them by bettering their health conditions.

For his part, Ali Ceesay, the supervisor of the projects, thanked Joe Madiath for initiating the project for the communities.

Mr. Ceesay, who spoke at length on the importance of health, said the project would greatly improve the livelihood of the two beneficiary communities, adding that currently forty-eight households are benefiting from solar panels and toilets, taps and other social amenities provided by the project.

He also used the occasion to thank the communities for their cooperation and hard work in ensuring the construction of the toilets is done well.

Also speaking at the commencement of the work the Ward Councillor of Foni Bondali, Hamadi Sowe, thanked the President of The Gambia for his foresight in creating an environment conducive for donors to invest their funds in The Gambia.

He also used the occasion to thank the India NGO for ensuring that the projects were brought to The Gambia. 

He further thanked the Government of The Gambia for ensuring that the projects continue to augment the livelihoods of the people.

The chief of Foni Bondali, Alhagie Dembo Badjie, expressed satisfaction and appreciation with the participation of Riders for Health and Gram Vikas for ensuring that his communities benefit from the project.