The
management of Swiss-Gambia foundation based in Kololi/Switzerland over the
weekend visited their project intervention sites at Brumen village, in Foni
Jarrol district in the West Coast Region.
The
delegation was led by the co-founder, Rotarian Sainey Manneh, accompanied by
the project coordinator, Sambou Dibba, president of Brumen Family Kafo, and the
president-elect of the Rotary Club of Royden Revolve from UK.
The
purpose of the visit was to afford the officials of the foundation the
opportunity to go and assess the level of work at the village, and also discuss
with the communities some of the challenges, gaps, and what needed to be done
after the completion of the borehole.
The
visit also witnessed the distribution of second-hand clothes, donated by the
Swiss-Gambia foundation.
The
donated items included caps, shirts, trousers, shoes, among others.
During
the visit, a blood pressure monitoring for high blood pressure was also
conducted, and about one hundred people were screened and the result indicated
that a high number were identified as high risk.
In
his welcome remarks, Modou Badjie, the village alkalo of Brumen, expressed
appreciation and joy for the constructing of a borehole and supporting the
horticultural garden in his village.
“Water is a major problem in his community.
Women suffer a lot to fetch water for family use or domestic use, so Swiss
-Gambia foundation through the founder coming up with these laudable
initiatives is a step in the right direction,” the village head said.
He
further returned gratitude to Rotarian Sainey Manneh, co-founder, for
supporting his villagers, saying they have nothing to repay the sponsors but
only to pray for their long life and prosperity.
Alfusainey
Jallow, president of the Brumen Family Kafo, explained that his kafo was formed
by the youths of Brumen village, with the aim to come together for the
development of their community.
According
to him, Brumen Family Kafo was founded in 2007 and, since then, the struggle
continued until the youths met with Sainey Manneh, a Gambian philanthropist and
Rotarian, who whole-heartedly supported the construction of the borehole and
the horticultural garden in the village.
On
behalf of the Brumen community, he thanked the Swiss-Gambia foundation for
taking these giant steps, all geared towards complementing the government’s
efforts.
Also
speaking was the project coordinator of Swiss-Gambia foundation, Sambou Dibba,
who expressed joy and appreciation about the way the communities appreciated
the project in their village.
He
said after approaching the co-founder, Mr Manneh, and a feasibility study was
conducted, the management of the Swiss-Gambia foundation deemed it necessary to
support the community, as water is life.
He
assured the community that this foundation would continue to give them support
to realise their dreams.
He
also urged the community to take ownership of the project and ensure its
sustainability.
Speaker
after speaker all praised the co-founder of the foundation, Mr Manneh, for
supporting humanity with water, which is one of the major concerns of women in
the village in their day-to-day activities.
