Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Mayor of Banjul, Rohey Malick Lowe, who also doubles as the President of Rafela International reaffirmed Refela’s commitment to addressing challenges Gambians face, particularly women and rural communities. “Clean and potable drinking water is a fundamental human right. Every community needs it to reduce sickness and ensure healthy living,” she declared.
She emphasised that the boreholes are built to international standards, equipped with many tanks to meet each community needs. With demand rising, Refela aims to construct 100 boreholes nationwide.
Mayor Lowe expressed gratitude to international partners including Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Prime Minister of Senegal, Trust Bank, Wave, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, and partners in Morocco. “Without their support, many communities would still be without clean water,” she said.
Beyond Boreholes
Refela’s vision extends beyond water provision. "The organisation is also supplying milling machines to ease labour burdens, supporting healthcare initiatives, and empowering women farmers to cultivate crops for family sustenance."
“Water is dignity,” Mayor Lowe stressed. “When women have clean water, they can grow gardens, feed their families, and reduce dependency.”
She added: "More than 30 communities were surveyed, with 17 selected to benefit immediately from the boreholes. Others will receive milling machines."
Refela, she continued, has also ensured sustainability of the boreholes. "The boreholes will be maintained by coordinators for one year before being handed over to communities for long-term ownership."
"Today, Refela boasts over 96,000 registered members, all committed to advancing the organisation’s mission of improving lives and livelihoods across The Gambia."
Deputy Mayor of Banjul City Council (BCC), Abdul Aziz Gaye underscored the importance of clean water as a basic necessity. “If you name organisations supporting rural people in terms of water, Refela will be number one, and we at BCC are proud of that,” he said. Aziz highlighted Refela’s track record of initiatives in health, education, and sanitation, including recent youth-led town cleaning campaigns in partnership with the council.
The Chief Executive Officer for Banjul City Council (CEO) Modou Jonga echoed the sentiment, commending Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe’s leadership. “The rapid increase in population comes with challenges, and water provision is one of them. Any intervention that seeks to provide safe drinking water is paramount. Government cannot do it alone, and councils cannot do it alone. Refela’s support is of national significance.”
Sukai Sanneh, Refela’s West Coast coordinator, shared her personal experience of benefiting from three boreholes in her area. “This project ensures rural communities are not left behind. We now have the same access to clean water as those in Kombo,” she said.
National Coordinator Mariama Ceesay praised Mayor Lowe, who also serves as Refela’s president, for her tireless efforts. She noted that beyond water, Refela has supported scholarships, skills centres, and women’s empowerment programmes. “Supporting women means supporting men too, because when women are empowered, the burden on men is reduced,” she explained.
