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Boost For Police Child Welfare Unit

Oct 23, 2009, 4:36 PM

The Child Welfare Unit of the Gambia Police Force on Wednesday benefited from a donation of items, ranging from two standard executive office tables, two sets of dell computers, one HP LaserJet computer and a carton of assorted soft toys, among others.

The donated items were done by Scholar Charity, a special charity that helps ordinary people in The Gambia through local aid and resources.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at the Child Welfare Unit at the police headquarters in Banjul, Officer Commanding the unit, Yamoundow Jagne expressed delight at the donation.

She revealed that the Charity organisation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Child Welfare Unit sometime last year at a time when they were very helpful to the unit.

She promised the donors that the donated items would be put to good use, describing them as partners in development.

For his part, Abdoulie Sanyang, the Commissioner of Administration described the gesture as timely, noting that it would go a long way in helping children reduce their stress.

Though the donation may be small but as far as the police are concerned, nothing is small. The most important thing is what is in the heart?, Sanyang said, commending the donors through their country representative Andrew Kallon for their benevolence.

Also speaking earlier, Scholar Charity country representative, Andrew Kallon said their focus is to make real difference to some of the most vulnerable children in the country. He added that the reason being that, across Africa children have taken to the streets as a result of poverty, abuse and neglect.

 He underscored the relationship between his charity and Gambia Police Force, whom he said, is their focal point for all children activities in The Gambia.

He said without the law enforcement agency, especially the police, charities and NGOs working with children in the country they would not succeed.

Therefore, it is important not only for Scholar Charity but to everyone in the country to help build on this particular unit as sexual abuse and child exploitation is on the increase. We can only reduce it by strengthening this unit with joint-up responses,? Mr. Kallon added.