The donation, worth almost US$200,000, is designed to support the implementation of field activities of a five year United States Development of Agriculture McGovern Dole funded Food and Education and Child Nutrition Project in The Gambia. The five-year project is funded by the United States Development of Agriculture at the tune of US$28.5 million.
Moreover, the gesture also includes a technical component for drivers and riders as well as full gears for the motorcycle users.
Caritas Gambia received 16 motorcycles and 1 vehicle while FIOH received 7 motorcycles and 2 vehicles which will serve as vital logistical assets, facilitating mobility of project staff at field level to reach and serve beneficiary schools.
The project is aimed at providing nutritional support in schools to enhance access, promote retention, minimize school drop out, improve performance as well as promote healthy growth and development of the children. The project is being implemented in 186 schools in 4 regions (Kanifing Municipality and Banjul, North Bank Region, Central River Region North and South and Upper River Region) of The Gambia.
Project dubbed ‘Nadinding O La Karango Leh Kumayata (NDOKK)’ or simply ‘Our Children’s Education is Our Priority’, aims to improve literacy in targeted schools and regions, as well as improve health and nutrition outcomes.
Njong James Kongnyui, Chief of Party (CoP) MGD FFE Project, The Gambia, explained that Caritas Gambia will mainly implement the school feeding component of the project, while FIOH will implement mostly the literacy aspect.
He added that they will also implement some activities with Mother Clubs and others at community level in view of the fact that health and hygiene should not be limited to schools only.
He assured of Caritas Gambia and FIOH continued support to ensure the successful implementation of the project. He also urged beneficiaries to put the equipment into official project use and not private purposes.
Jainaba T. Sarr, director of FIOH Gambia, described the vehicles and motorcycles as important working tools that would no doubt help them achieve the goals of the project.
She also expressed their resolve to effectively implement the project as well as ensure the sustainability of the vehicles and motocycles.
Deputising for the director of Caritas Gambia, Rev Sister Marie J. Mendy, assured of their commitment towards the successful implementation of the project.
She highlighted that their aim is to see that children of The Gambia become better citizens in future.
