The beneficiary communities include; Giboroh Pam, Giboroh Amdali, Mandinaba, Nema Misira, Kartong, Kunkujang, Sanyang and Jambur all in the Kombo East, North and South districts of the West Coast Region.
The inaugurations were held at the various water facilities on 9th and 10th March respectively.
Foundation 221 has a project of twenty-five (25) boreholes and in addition to the newly inaugurated eight boreholes, it has 17 boreholes that would be drilled and inaugurated after Ramadan.
In his presentation, Muhammed Marong, Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Foundation 221, revealed that the project is aimed at complementing government’s efforts in ensuring that vulnerable communities have access to adequate potable water.
“Access to clean drinking water is fundamental human rights for every person irrespective of race, tribe and geographical location; therefore, we deem it necessary to donate water to the vulnerable.” he said.
This project, he said, is significant in lessening water challenges residents face, further urging beneficiaries to take good care of the boreholes and put sustainability mechanisms in place to prolong its services.
He informed that the foundation is committed to contributing to societal development, stating that it has several initiatives that immensely support the poor.
He made reference to the back to school project, Ramadan package and Tobaski package among others.
Alhagie Cham, secretary for the Village Development Committee (VDC) for Nema Misira, described the project as laudable and important in view of the challenges residents face in accessing clean potable drinking water.
“The water facility will immensely help residents and people worshipping at the mosque,” he said, while saying there is a greater need for several youth to emulate the foundation in giving back to the society.
He, also called on the foundation to help provide more water facilities for the community, saying the community lacked access to sufficient clean drinking water.
Hatab Jaiteh, spokesperson for Kartong VDC, commended Foundation 221 and its partners for the gesture.
“This part of Kartong has been battling with water constraints over the past years. However, the donated borehole will now mitigate the water challenges residents were facing,” he said, adding “Indeed, it would be greatly beneficial to us as a community.”
Sheriffo Jatta, alkalo of Giboroh village in Kombo East, commended the charity for providing clean drinking water for the community.
He recalled that before the coming of the borehole, residents in the area trekked long distances to fetch water for drinking and other domestic purposes.
“We are all happy with the foundation for the gesture,” he said, while assuring that the community will take good care of the borehole as well as put sustainability measures in place in order to prolong service of the facility. ”
Alhagie Ceesay, resident of Giboroh Amdali expressed similar sentiments. “Before having this borehole our women used to fetch water from an open well. It was so challenging for both women and men.”
Tida Jawneh, women rep from Mandinaba, expressed delight in inaugurating the ambitious borehole project by Foundation 221.
“Several women used to cross the highway to fetch water from taps that are far from their homes but now that has stopped. The women will no longer fetch water from long distances,” she added.
She, therefore called on all and sundry to provide more boreholes to the village as well as bring a series of development to the doorsteps of Mandinaba residents.
