Standard Chartered Bank Gambia Limited yesterday donated library and household items worth D14,000 to SOS Children’s Village.
The donated items are three single beds and mattresses, 21 inch TV, a DVD and fifteen desks, chairs, eight bookshelves, two Dell computers, a filling cabinet, a large white board, one 12000BTU air conditioner and a ceiling fan for the library and computer room.
Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, the Chief Financial Officer of Standard Chartered Bank, Richard Ahulu, said: “The bank is here to reinforce our long standing partnership with the SOS Children’s Village dating back over 3 years and from 2008 to 2011, the bank sponsored the SCB Family House with a current number of 10 orphans in residence at the village to the tune of USD8,900 annually noting that this sponsorship catered for the children’s food, clothing, shelter, school fees and medical bills for the 10 children and their foster mother.”
CFO Ahulu highlighted the bank’s commitment to the continuing growth and development of the local economy, but also highlight their desire to assist their local communities, and to help alleviate poverty in their local communities, their desire to truly demonstrate.
“We are here for good” in The Gambia, he said, adding that this resolve sums their commitment to developing deep relationships with their clients and customers, their values, their focus on sustainability, and their longevity, heritage and continued strong performance in The Gambia.
CFO Ahulu added that Standard Chartered is celebrating its 117th year of unbroken operations in The Gambia and partnership for them is the continuation of their long and successful history here continuing to remain an integral part of local economy, continuing to support local and international businesses drive economic growth.
For her part, the Director SOS Children’s Village, Haddy Njie, said this is not the first of its kind Standard Chartered Bank has taken the bold step since 2008 when they agreed to take up the sponsorship of the running costs of a family in the SOS Children’s village and since then, they have seen themselves as SOS family members and true friends to the children of SOS, noting that they have manifested in different ways.
Director Njie said the donation they received from Standard Chartered Bank is the bank’s contributions towards the furnishing of the already constructed multipurpose centre donated to SOS by the Japanese Embassy in Senegal.
Director Njie, on behalf of the mothers, children’s and the staff of SOS Children’s Village, thanked SCB for their generosity towards the work of SOS in their quest to give every child a decent life.
She also welcomed other companies and individuals to emulate the good example of SCB by coming on board to support “this noble initiative as there still some items that are yet to be procured”.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Ms Cordelia Pratt, a social worker, thanked the bank, saying its contribution would go a long way in improving and add value to the lives of the children, youths and mothers that are resident in the village.
