Banjul Red Cross receives Belgium volunteers

Two volunteers, Maxim and Sebastian, from Ostende Red Cross link in Belgium, are in the country as guests of Banjul Red Cross Society.

Speaking at a welcoming ceremony held for them, the chairman of the Banjul Red Cross branch, Mamadou Jakateh, said he was delighted at the visit of the volunteers.

All this is geared towards the Gambian hospitality the country is known for in the sub-region.

He told the Belgium Red Cross colleagues that Banjul Red Cross is just a branch under the Banjul City Council working under the directives of Mayor Samba Faal but was quick to say the Gambia Red Cross Society has sixteen links across the country.

He told the volunteers to feel free while in The Gambia and should see the country as second home.

He urged their host to expose them to positive things that are important and beneficial for both links.

The chairman also advised the Banjul Red Cross link to be vigilant in the way they conduct themselves during their operations in the field.

He assured their counterparts that they will be given necessary information about the Gambia Red Cross Society.

He also advised the Banjul Red Cross Society to continue their hardwork and devotion to national development, as the youth are the cream of the nation.

Omar T.D. Ndaw, branch officer of the Banjul Red Cross branch, told the gathering that one of the components of the Gambia Red Cross Society is about partnership.

“The reason is that Gambia Red Cross believes that one person cannot do it all; so for us to achieve our aim and objective that is alleviating human suffering through the power of humanity,  there is the need to come together to forge partnerships,” he said.

This is why Banjul Red Cross branch has started a lot of twin programmes as well as visiting neighbouring sister countries, he said, adding that to however achieve this partnership is a collective responsibility, through cooperation, unity, hard work and dedication.

In his welcoming remarks on behalf of the Lord Mayor of Banjul, Deputy Mayor Wilson Shyngle said he was happy to be associated with the visit of the volunteers.

He added that in 2003 a city link was signed between Banjul and Ostende city in Belgium and the two cities are all coastal cities and share some similarity such as fishing, tourism, sea level rise and coastal erosion challenge.

The main objective in the cooperation is to focus on environmental sanitation, education, health and capacity building, as the Banjul-Ostende city link is the strongest the Banjul council can boast of.