The Chief Executive Officer of Vision Development Foundation (VDF), Modou Turo Darboe, Saturday donated a brand new ambulance to the community of Sutusunjang village in the Foni Brefet district of the West Coast Region.
The donation forms part of Darboe’s efforts in complementing the government’s work in bringing a quality health service delivery system to the doorsteps of Gambians.
The ambulance is meant for the community of Sutusunjang and its catchment areas in a bid to ease the villagers’ difficulty in transporting patients from Foni to other health facilities in the Greater Banjul Area.
In his remarks at the handing-over ceremony held at Sutusunjang village, Mamina Jammeh, alkalo of the village, lauded the gesture and the donor for putting what he called smiles on the faces of the people of Sutusunjang village.
The ambulance, he added, came to them as a big surprise, and a dream come true, thanks to the intervention of Modou Turo Darboe.
He described the donor as a philanthropist who has no boundaries in nation-building, and no segregation in terms of tribe or politics.
According to him, the people of Sutusunjang have over the past four years been yearning for an ambulance, but it is now that God has made it possible through Modou Turo Darboe.
He further commended the community of Sutusunjang village for their collaboration and hard work, demonstrated in ensuring that their community has the new ambulance.
Pa Colley, a member of the council of elders of the village, said the donation marked yet another milestone in the history of Sutusunjang village.
According to him, this is the type of gesture the community has been yearning for over the years, noting that with the new ambulance the community of Sutusunjang and its catchment villages will now be free from the trouble of transporting patients, which has been a major concern.
‘Mobility has been a major concern for the community, but thanks to the intervention of a patriotic citizen, Modou Turo Darboe, this will now be a thing of the past,’ Colley said, while advising the beneficiaries to ensure the proper use of the new ambulance, as it will go a long way in easing some of their burden.
The community of Sutusunjang, he said, was able to achieve this gesture, thanks to their cooperation, hard work and commitment.
Karamo Gassama, imam of the village, prayed for the donor for long life and Allah’s continued blessing. He urged other Gambians to emulate Turo’s gesture.
In handing over the ambulance to the villagers on behalf of Modou Turo Darboe, a senior member of VDF, Modou Manta Jallow, said Vision Development Foundation is a non-governmental organisation engaged in helping and assisting the needy in society.
According to him, the foundation deems it fitting to always contribute their quota to nation-building and in so doing need the effort of all stakeholders to collectively achieve the desired goals for the country.
‘The provision of health services is critical in the realization of other development objectives,’ he said, while highlighting the numerous interventions the VDF has been doing for the past years.
Other speakers, including Aja Fatou Colley, who spoke on behalf of the women folk, said the donation is a clear indication of Turo Darboe’s generosity and love for his country and fellow citizens.
