Prison Fellowship holds annual Angel Tree Party, distributes Christmas gifts

The organization also hosted its 5th annual Angel Tree Party for the children of prisoners at the Relax Sahel Amusement Park, where it also gave Christmas gifts to over 200 children.

Speaking to reporters, Dr Abraham, executive director of Prison Fellowship The Gambia, said this is a period in the year when people share gifts.

He said they feel they should also give to children of prison officers this year since they have been doing so over the years.

They are doing it in partnership with Operation Prison Children based in Canada, he added.

According to him, Prison Fellowship The Gambia is part of about 125 organizations operating around the world.

Superintendent Dawda B.A. Jatta, a prison officer and a parent, described the gesture as good, adding that there is good relationship between them and Prison Fellowship The Gambia.

He recalled that the organization had been giving food, clothes among other items to prisoners over the years.

The gesture shows that Christians and Muslims are brothers and sisters and are living as one family, he said.

Fatoumatta Sanyang, also a parent who was delightful in witnessing her children benefit from the gifts, gratefully thanked Prison Fellowship for the gesture.

“This is a time when children need love from their parents, especially a child one of whose parents is absent,” she said, adding: “It is a time and occasion that brings children from different places together, with different age groups to give them courage.”

Edrisa Saidy, a 13-year-old boy from Brikama, said 2013 is the fifth year running that he has been receiving Christmas gifts from Prison Fellowship The Gambia as well as attending the Angel Tree Party.

Accompanied by his mother, brother and sister, Edrissa also thanked and prayed for Prison Fellowship.

The teenager, who is attending Kabafita Lower Basic School, thanked Prison Fellowship for paying his Grade 2 school fees.