Members
of a Swedish charitable organisation ‘Love by Force’ have recently met
authorities and parents of Methodist School where they discussed the way forward
and possibilities to support the school and its pupils.
President
of the organisation, Pa Modou Badjie said they started operation in 2008 to
support people, especially the needy, by providing humanitarian assistance
including clothing and food.
“We
also realised that there is a group of people in society that need extra
support. So, as a result of that, we met the Methodist School authorities to
see how best we can intervene in supporting the children in school, because
most of these disabled children are abandoned by the society.”
Mr
Badjie revealed that the organisation is doing the same work in Sweden as it is
doing in The Gambia, adding that the organisation helps people with
disabilities by trying to put them back in society and give them support.
He
said ‘Love by Force’ also advocates for the eradication of sexual abuse in the
society and strengthening of women and children rights by giving protection
items like condoms.
“We
started the collaboration last year when we came to the school and found out
that many of the kids are with different kinds of disabilities.”
Daddy
Jallow, programme coordinator of the charity’s Gambia chapter said the meeting
intends to see how best they can create awareness to improve peoples’
understanding that disabled persons can meaningfully contribute to development.
Lucy
Sarfo, head mistress of Methodist School thanked the team for considering her
school, describing their intervention as important in supporting the pupils.
