The United Kingdom Jarra Association (UKJA), set up in August this year to foster unity and cooperation within the natives of Jarra in the Britain, presented items to the beneficiaries through the Churches in Reading Drop in Centre (CIRDIC), a local charity that provides help and support to the street homeless and other vulnerable groups at a colourful ceremony on Friday.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mustapha Sanneh deputising for the chairperson of the association, said: “We have walked the streets of this great country (United Kingdom) and found people sleep rough on the streets while others queue for food packs at various food banks and some searching for something to wear. We felt we owe them a duty of care hence the need to support them on humanitarian grounds.”
He stated that it is this country that provides them the opportunity to help and support their families back home and as such they owe an obligation to give something back to the less-privileged in the community and there are no better-deserving groups than refugees and the homeless.
Speaking earlier, the leader and adviser of the association, Momodou Drammeh, applauded the efforts of the UKJA in supporting such a venture especially during this time of the year when many people are in need of support.
Mr Drammeh noted: “Charity begins at home and that’s why our first target is to support those in need in our community and Reading being the headquarters of the Association hence our choice.Mr Sanneh thanked his association members and non-members alike for their generosity.
“The response from our members was overwhelming, and 14 boxes of clothes for all ages, gender and a large quantity of various food items were collected from our members across the country, which is a true reflection of the values of our cultural heritage imbibed in us over the years”.
For his part, Welfare Officer UKJA, Kebba Nfally Darboe said: “As Gambians, we are used to communal spirit of helping one another. We are part of this country and we want these people to know the fact that we are very much part of their community as demonstrated through our gestures, particularly in the buildup to the festive period. We hope the donated items will go a long way to make someone’s Christmas a merry one.”
Mr Darboe extends his sincere gratitude to CIRDIC for their collaboration in making sure that the donated items reached those who need them most.
Receiving the items, the Center manager, Mabel Boyd, said: “The word charity means love and it is therefore vital for us to show this love and care to the people weather we are in our nation or other nations.”
She said churches in Reading Drop in Centre feeds over fifty people a day and urges other charities to emulate the efforts of UKJA.
She thanked the association for the gesture and called on other organisations to emulate UKJA in contributing to community development.
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