The donation was part of the federation’s community empowerment initiative.
Edrissa Cham, manager of Saamasang Federation, said poultry breeding would in no doubt complement the efforts of Saamasang and families in their quest to eradicate poverty at community levels.
“The welfare of the children is supreme in the operation of Saamasang,’’ he said during a presentation of 50 cocks to 50 families in Kombo Central Villages.
He further urged the beneficiaries to wisely protect the donated cocks for them to breed more in future.
‘’Child Fund International is planning to discontinue with the payment of the school fee for children as The Gambia is the only country at present paying for sponsored children,” he stated.
As part of the solutions, he added, Child fund The Gambia is coming up with initiatives that would help parents to be able to continue paying the school fee of their children.
“We decided to put up this initiative by donating fifty cocks to the various families so as to help to breed them and raise income that will help in paying school fees of their children,’’ he said.
Alieu B. Sillah, Programme and Communication Officer of Saamasang, said helping families is very crucial towards the Community Empowerment Initiative designed by the Federation.
He said the sustainability of the project now lies in the hands of the beneficiaries.
“If we put all hands on deck, we will achieve our goals towards eradicating poverty and the promotion of the welfare of children,’’ he added.
Bai Janneh, Veterinary Officer attached to the project, reminded the beneficiaries on the importance of the project, emphasizing that the cocks when properly managed would breed more young ones, while calling on them to take good use of the cocks.
“Monitoring, Evaluation, Vaccinations and the provision of Medications will be provided by the Federation at the beginning of the project but will later be done by you the beneficiaries,’’ he said.
Lamin Fatty, community mobilizer of Kabafita, said the project was timely as it would eradicate poverty at the grassroots.
He called on them to work for the betterment of children, as the Federation is very concerned about the welfare of the children.
Fatou Sanyang, a beneficiary form Darsilami, lauded the Federation for their gesture, promising them that the cocks would be protected at all times since they are meant to promote the families and children.