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George Town friends support orphans

Mar 16, 2011, 1:14 PM | Article By: Abdourahman Sallah

A delegation of six philanthropists from Spain, (known as friends of George Town), recently extended their philanthropic gesture to about 20 school-going orphans in Janjangbureh town, Central River Region.

The support, which came in a form of learning and writing materials among others, was highly appreciated, as some of the kids and their guardians may not be in a position to afford the cost of procuring such items.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at Baobolong Annex Camp in Janjangbureh town in CRR South, Ebrima Janko Foon, Ward Councillor of Janjangbureh, commended their Spanish friends for the laudable gesture.

He says anyone who invests or supports orphans is doing a good work.

“This is the second time of their intervention and they have been very concerned about the welfare of children (orphans), particularly their education,” he said.

He further appeals to the guardians or relatives of the children to make good use of the opportunity provided by their Spanish friends.

“Ensure that the children are at school on time and attend regular classes in the crusade to acquire formal education,” he said.

For his part, Omar Jatto Jammeh, the programme coordinator, revealed that the idea of supporting school-going orphans came as a result of the visit of Peter Iwent.

“When he visited The Gambia last year and saw the need to support Gambian children, particularly the orphans, from there he expressed his interest to doing something for the orphans within Janjangbureh,” Mr Jammeh explained.

After series of consultations Mr Iwent decided to visit Janjanbureh with his family to present materials worth thousands of dalasis, he noted, saying there are plans to register a foundation in the name of the orphans to help them raise more funds for the cause.

Mr Iwent, head of the Spanish delegation, commended the people of Janjangbureh for the warm welcome accorded them.

He said there are series of plans in the pipeline to support the children, which include “the payment of school fees and other logistics for the children to acquire sound education to become responsible citizens in the future”.

Isatou E. Jallow, a beneficiary student of Armitage Senior Secondary School, spoke on behalf of her colleagues (orphans).

She commended their Spanish friends for their “timely intervention” in supporting their education.