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Soroptimist Int’l of Banjul boosted by Winchester partner

Jul 16, 2014, 10:58 AM | Article By: Cherno Omar Bobb

Members of Soroptimist International, Winchester, the UK, through Marion Christmas, a member of the group, Friday donated 60 dresses to its Gambian partner, Soroptimist International of Banjul, at a presentation ceremony held at its office in Kanifing.

Speaking at the presentation, Ms Marion Christmas said the dresses were sent to The Gambia for onward distribution to girls of Soroptimist International of Banjul.

She added that they are looking at giving further assistance to the Banjul group through supporting their work at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital.

Madam Christmas, who is also the founder of Kaira Konko Scout Project in Soma, stated that apart from supporting Soroptimist International of Banjul the project had built 18 classrooms at the Soma Lower Basic School.

Elizabeth Jawo-Njie, President of Soroptimist International of Banjul, in receiving the dresses, expressed delight at the gesture and thanked the donors for the “lovely dresses”.

Madam Jawo-Njie noted that they have a ward at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital they are supporting, adding that during Christmas or International Woman’s Day they do go to the ward to give out gifts.

She also stated that they had supported a library at Bakau Lower Basic School, and were also supporting other areas.

Ndela Faye-Colley, former president of Soroptimist International of Banjul, described the gesture as big and welcome.

She remarked that they do their things in their own little ways but believe the things they do could make a difference in the lives of some girls.

They look forward to more collaboration with their UK partner, she said, while appealing to the girls to be very serious with their education.

The dresses would be of very much importance and use to them considering the hot weather in the country at the moment, she observed.

Lamin Kinteh, project manager of Kaira Konko, said the project is supporting people to make them responsible leaders, adding that they are sponsoring students from primary to college level.

Recently they constructed a bridge for women at Soma to have easy access to their rice fields to be able to produce more rice for their families, he also said.