The construction of the borehole, which has started in earnest, is fully funded by MGR, a United Kingdom-based charity.
However, the new borehole project when completed would serve a catchment area of over 2500 households.
Speaking at the laying of the foundation stone at Brikama Darsilameh, Lamin Jobe, national coordinator of Muslim Global Relief (MGR), spoke briefly about the foundation’s activities, saying the charity has been undertaking numerous development projects in the country these past years.
Jobe informed that the charity is out to compliment government’s efforts by supporting people in local communities.
He spoke highly of the importance of providing portable drinking water for communities, further thanking the government for creating a conducive space to contribute to community development.
He also dwelled on what even motivated them to turn local wells into boreholes, which according to many, is more secure and to stay healthy.
Jobe observed that in adapting to change coupled with living a healthier life, many communities are doing away with open wells for boreholes, which are proven to be safe and free from unwanted materials that sometimes cause sickness or harmful to human consumption.
This, he added, prompted the Government to come up with a new policy that any donor should try to dig borehole instead of local wells.
He, however, applauded MGR for its stance in providing relief service to local communities in The Gambia, while assuring that the charity and its local partners would continue to support vulnerable communities in the country.
Kaddy Ceesay, on behalf of the women, described the gesture as long overdue in view of the fact that water is a necessity.
She also hailed the United Kingdom charity for their foresight, recalling some of the challenges women faced in the area when it comes to accessing water for their household needs.
Also speaking, Tumani Tambajang, a resident of Brikama Darsilameh, expressed similar sentiments.
The construction of the borehole, he added, would go a long way in addressing the community’s water-related challenges.
“We thank the donors for their contribution to the social wellbeing of our community. We hope and pray that other donors would come on board not only in our community, but other communities that lack these facilities.”
However, he equally called on members of the community to take good care of the facility by maintaining it to serve its purpose.
