Comping Julabeh a community based organisation in Sami district Central River Region over the weekend distributed about D125, 000 to 28 members of the group as loans to finance their small projects.
The loans, which are payable in three months with four percent interest, were disbursed at a colourful ceremony held in Laminkoto in Sami district.
Speaking at the ceremony, the vice-chairman of the association, Kebba Jobe, said Comping Julabeh is a Fula term meaning 'Association of Traders'.
According to Mr. Jobe, the association was established legally in 2006 to support its members to improve their standard of living, and reduce poverty. The association started with only 40 members, but today has about 100 members across the cluster.
Highlighting some of the achievements registered since its inception, Mr Jobe revealed that the association has been taking part in national events such as cleansing exercises, tree-planting exercises, communal work, among others. The association also supports its members in difficulty, and creates opportunities for them, since the membership consist of small-scale businesspeople, farmers, butchers and cattle dealers.
Mr. Jobe noted that one of the principal objectives is to give out loans to members for them to develop their business in order to make maximum profits and repay the loan as agreed in the document. He commended the members for their co-operation and understanding towards the realisation of the association’s dreams.
Ganya Bah a committee member of the association said that, since the formation of this association, there have been a series of achievements ranging from fostering unity among members, attending one anothers’ ceremonies and assisting one another when in difficulty, as well as environmental protection, among others.
According to Bah, despite the numerous achievements, there are constraints faced. He said they need to have a centre built at their headquarters for easy mobilisation of the members, inaccessibility to acquire micro finance loans from recognise institutions, organisational capacity building for the members, and an office for the bureau.
Ousman Njie, a beneficiary, commended the group for the hard work, noting that the loan has come at a time when they are highly in need of it "as we have entered in the rainy season." He then assured the group that he and other beneficiaries will live up to expectations, and repay the loan at the agreed time in order to enable others benefit from the revolving fund of the association.
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