#National News

German philanthropist donates health, education equipment to Pirang clinic, schools

Feb 11, 2022, 11:31 AM | Article By: Sanna Jallow


A German philanthropist, Josef Reil who runs the charity JC and S Charity has donated wheelchairs to Pirang community clinic in Kombo East and chalkboards to the community’s lower basic and Markas Jabbie Kunda Arabic schools.

The donations were facilitated by the Caliph General of Pirang, Sheikh Mukhtarr Gassama who has a long-standing relationship with the donor.

Presenting the donated equipment to the beneficiaries, Caliph General Gassama said he was aware of the challenges the health facility had been encountering in carrying out its functions and that was why they decided to support.

He said health facilities are important institutions that need to be supported to enable them meet the standards in providing health support to patients. He also emphasised the importance of having a conducive and right material for education, saying that was why they also donated the chalkboard to schools within the community.

The donor, Josef Reil said he has been in The Gambia for a longtime now and during the period, he studied and understood the challenges many Gambian communities face. He assured the beneficiaries that his charity would continue to support Gambian communities, saying his philanthropist activities were affected by the Covid-19 last year.

Officer-in-charge of the Pirang Community Clinic, Wesnick Merry Mendy thanked the donor for the support and Caliph General Gassama for facilitating the availability of the gesture.

According to her, the clinic covers twelve satellite communities with a population of 14, 368 with challenges in basic clinic equipment. “We appreciate the gesture. In no small measure, it will relieve us of some of the challenges we face.”

Alkalo of Pirang, Morro Bojang commended the donor and the Caliph General for considering support to the community clinic and schools. He said health facility and schools are important institutions that need to be supported for improved livelihood.

Sukai Bojang, headmistress of Pirang Lower Basic School said; “We are grateful and appreciative of your support to the school.”

She said the school has a total population of 1,054 pupils with a teacher population of 34. “The school faces several challenges including teaching and learning materials. This chalkboard will ease learning for us.”