Foundation for Change Gambia Chapter, a Swedish philanthropic organization based in The Gambia, recently gave gardening and fencing materials to the community of Chamen in the Nianija District of Central River Region North.
The materials include spades, digging forks, chain link wires, cutlasses, wheelbarrows, rakes, iron poles, polly pots, binding wires and fertilizer at a cost of over D135, 000.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, held at the village bantaba, Musa Cham, the coordinator of the foundation, revealed that the materials were meant for the women’s gardening project.
He added that the brains behind the foundation are Ms. Hillevi Engbrant, Mr Daniel Benitez, Joakim Pops, Stefan Ostergren, Tina Ritzen Kivelio and Oscar Junzel, all Swedish nationals.
According to him, the idea of supporting the women’s garden (100 msq) came from the community, which asked for it.
He expressed happiness that the materials needed to commence work on the garden are now being provided by the foundation.
He went on to say that the foundation is new, and its objectives are to support education, health and agriculture to contribute to alleviating poverty through the community participatory approach.
“The foundation is non-religious, non- political and non-tribal in its efforts to achieve its desired objectives,” said Cham.
He noted that plans are under way to bring more development projects in the community, while urging the beneficiaries to make best use of the materials.
Jerreh Drammeh, program coordinator, stated that the foundation has a lot of development plans for the community of Chamen.
He said that the materials donated are modern tools, which if properly handled, could serve longer.
The head chief of the area, Adama Gullo Cham, said Chamen Nianija is a poor community and that, as farmers, they cannot afford the cost of these materials donated.
Mrs. Raky Cham, a women’s leader in the community, thanked the foundation and assured all that the project will improve their living condition.
