Sister Angie as she is widely referred to was speaking in a recent interview with The Point at Seaview Hotel. The recent visit is part of their two-week mission in The Gambia.
She explained that AGA has been supporting Gambians for years as the organisation aim is to be part of the change.
Based in the foregoing, she though it crucial to work with the ministries of health and education sectors.
She however, pointed out that they came to realise the area where they are most effective, which is the grassroots.
“What is very important to us as an organisation is the young people. We have to think about our future generation as well as what we can do for Africa and not what Africa can do for us.”
In the Diaspora, she went on, they have many skills and when they come to ‘our homeland’ it is important that they invest in human development.
She observed that infection control is a big deal in The Gambia, but was quick to add that it is a preventative measure.
“We have to create an environment where we can look at health and safety, infection control, provide and protect our health and wellbeing because without health we do not have anything.”
The organisation, she added, is expanding its support to rural areas and in doing so, they are monitoring the donations they receive so that they can be effective when they donate to communities.
“We do not want to donate people things that will not benefit them,” she said.
She thanked all those, who contributed towards the success of their projects in UK, saying AGA is transparent in its activities.
“Our integrity is what drives us, as commitment, honesty, accountability and respect is also imbedded in everything we do.”
She thus appealed to their Gambian brothers and sisters to work in collaboration with them to exchange useful skills.
Isatou Lovelace, Gambia Coordinator for Altogether Giving Africa (AGA) UK/Gambia, said they have been supporting Gambians because they want to add benefit to what is already here.
She explained that they’ve not been able to come to The Gambia since 2019 when the pandemic hit, but that they continued to collect donations and send them for their Gambian team for further distribution.
Sister Isatou said expressed their resolve to make their health day at Old Jeshwang Health Center an yearly event and to kick start an education event.
“Our focus is predominantly health and education but there is so much more we can do and build on those two areas,” she stated.
Karen Rowe, Health Coordinator for AGA, recalled that they started the health day at Old Jeshwang health center in 2014 in a bid to help control infection, hygiene, but also to donate useful materials in the process.
Sister Karen, who is a nurse in UK, disclosed that she will like to share her experience with Gambians to help improve people’s health and wellbeing.
Kebba Banja, President AGA Gambia, said the organisation has been helping many Gambians without expecting anything in return.
The organization, he added, is not only supporting Gambians, but also those residing in The Gambia.
