The new head office for the Gambia
Association of the Deaf and Heard of Hearing (GADHOH) female wing was recently
inaugurated at the Kanifing institutional area.
The new complex, which has among other facilities offices, a skills centre and a nursery school, cost the donors Foundation Buganala over two million Dalasis. This price includes the cost of furniture, a borehole, electricity and a school bus.
Speaking at the occasion, Mrs. Isatou Sanyang, Director of the female wing, revealed that the female wing is the first branch to be established under GADHOH as a special interest group aimed at empowering the deaf children and women.
She commended the foundation Buganala, the donor and the contractor Foundation for a magnificent job and the Gambian government for allocating them the land.
Mrs. Sanyang revealed that at the wing, they provide a wide range of skills training to deaf children such as tie and dye, tailoring, soap making, sewing and needlework and sign language classes.
Other speakers on the occasion included Mrs. Marieke Ijsendoorn, chairperson Foundation Buganala, who expressed delight at seeing the project become a reality. "Our aim is to work for the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals to see that every child has a right to education and access it," she said.
Mr. Dodou Loum, Executive Director of GADHOH, stressed that there is a greater demand for skills training for deaf children in the country.
It will be recalled that the female wing was located at a very tiny house in Latri Kunda Sabiji, which they were using on a rental basis. With their own new complex coupled with a good learning environment the wing stands on a better footing to deliver well.
Mr. Coes Ijsendoorn, the project coordinator of foundation Buganala, also graced the occasion.
