This pledge was made recently during a signing ceremony with three local partners at a two-day partnership review meeting held at the Ocean Bay Hotel in Bakau. The three partners are - Dinding Yiriwa Federation, Saama Kaira Federation and Foni Dinding Federation.
The event attracted stakeholders from across the country and was meant to reflect on ongoing collaborations and plan for the upcoming fiscal year 2026, which begins this week.
At the event, Musukuta Comma, Country Coordinator for ChildFund-The Gambia, emphasised the importance of transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement in achieving the organisation’s mission.
“This year has been a journey of learning and growth,” she added.
“As we commit D89 million in funding, our focus remains on ensuring that the children, our primary beneficiaries are at the center of every action. This commitment is shared, and I expect to see your dedication in the communities, with parents and caregivers, where it matters most.”
The Child Fund Country Coordinator maintained funding will be disbursed monthly to the three key partner organisations, who she said, are tasked with implementing vital programs that address child development, education, safety, and health.
Comma pointed out that each Letter of Agreement (LOA) signed is not just with organisational managers but with the leadership of local federations, reinforcing the grassroots accountability ChildFund prioritises.
She reminded that ChildFund's work is performance based and evidence driven. "If the partners fall short of meeting agreed criteria, funding allocations will be impacted. This is not about penalties, it’s about ensuring no child is left behind due to inefficiencies or negligence."
The review session, she added, also focused on strengthening safeguarding measures and preventing sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), highlighting ChildFund’s core values and its zero-tolerance policy towards abuse.
“We are not just talking about funding programs. We are talking about changing lives, safeguarding futures, and building leadership among children,” Comma added. “Children cannot wait. We must deliver, and we must deliver well.”
Speaking on behalf of partner organisations, Omar S. Sanneh, expressed gratitude for the renewed partnership and affirmed their shared commitment to transparency and responsible management of the funds.
“We assure ChildFund and the people of The Gambia that these resources will be used effectively to benefit children and their families. This partnership is about trust, and we intend to uphold it,” Sanneh stated.
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