Antwerp-Banjul challenge gives to Kombo North, South

The Antwerp-Banjul Challenge continues to provide assistance to more institutions and projects in The Gambia. The orphanage in Sinchu Alagie in Kombo North on Saturday received a vehicle from the challenge.

Speaking at the occasion, the alkalo of the village, Salifu Ceesay commended the donors for the gesture.

The orphanage was established last year by a Luxemburgian Sia Yongeneel, and currently has 12 orphans.

In a similar development, Antwerp-Banjul Challenge also donated a bus to the Kombo South Humanitarian Mission - a Community Based Organisation, situated in Kartong. The bus will be used to transport school children and workers from Kartong to Brikama and Banjul.

In a separate engagement, a rice milling machine funded by the Antwerp-Banjul Challenge to the tune of D120, 000 was also inaugurated at Kartong. The ceremonies were presided over by the deputy Executive Director of the Jammeh Foundation, Sulayman Badgie.

Several speakers at the ceremonies heaped encomiums on the donors and the chairman of the Antwerp-Banjul Challenge Cor de Bresser for the gesture. They acknowledged with appreciation the challenge's remarkable contribution to the development of Gambians and urged them to keep up the momentum and to serve as goodwill ambassadors of The Gambia in Belgium and Holland.

They also urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the donations. Speaking on behalf of the Women of Kartong, Mai Jabang said the milling machine would greatly ease the burden on women and give them more time to concentrate on income-generating activities.

Hon Ebrima Jammeh of Foni Bintang urged the beneficiaries to properly maintain and utilise the machine.

The second Vice-President of the Kartong Youth Council, Kanjura Sambou said the bus would ease the problems of transportation encountered by school children, workers and vegetable sellers in the area.

The councilor of Sanyang Ward, Lamin Jamba Jammeh described the Antwerp-Banjul Challenge as true development partners. He too spoke at length on the significance of the donation.