Child Fund donates 250 solar-powered lamps to 5 communities in WCR

Musu Kuta Komma, country Director ChildFund- The Gambia said the solar power lights will support children in their educational pursuit, reminding that not all communities in The Gambia are privileged with electricity coverage.

She explained that even those with electricity sometimes faced blackout and that one of the core mandates of ChildFund –The Gambia is to get every child educated as the contact hours in school is not enough to build the educational skills or the educational needs of the children.

"It is common in our schools to give assignments  and children normally do this work during the night time as they play during the day and candlelight is not the best solution, as it has caused so many disasters in our homes.”

ChildFund country director reminded that the move by ChildFund is to reduce the cost burden on parents in supporting their children’s education, hence presenting those 250 solar power lamps.

“The ChildFund-The Gambia has just concluded a pilot project in the Fonis in the West Coast Region which is called dreamer project in partnership with different communities to support child education.”

Famara Darboe, scholarship and programmes director ChildFund -The Gambia explained that ChildFund receives light through their child programmes with the support of other organisations and companies that may not be able to give financial resources.

“But we can give materials that can be shared to children that can help them to enhance their education. Sometimes the support comes in different components like medical materials, clothes, shoes and many others. This time Child Fund is going to give out solar lamps to be shared with children to help them in their education.”

Bakary S. Tambadou, representing Regional Educational Director said the solar-powered lamps will support teaching and learning which will complement the country’s education sector.

The materials, he added, would go a long way in ensuring proper teaching and learning in schools.

Alhagie Jarju, board chairman of Foni Ding-Ding Federation described the move as laudable, saying the gesture would help children in their education especially the less privileged to get access to electricity.