Officials announced that the donation, which include rice, onions, Irish potatoes, and gallons of cooking oil, are valued at 4,123,744 dalasis. They emphasised that this initiative reflects their cultural commitment to supporting those in need.
The generously donated items benefited 645 households across Banjul, the Kanifing Municipality, and the West Coast Region (WCR). The initiative was designed to provide support to orphans, disabled individuals, and underprivileged Muslims during the blessed month of Ramadan.
Packages from Muslim Hands-UK were distributed to the underprivileged Muslim communities in Giboro Kuta and Lamin Kambodia. The offerings from Muslim Hands-Canada reached the needy in Sukuta Nema, Jambur, Serekunda Jangjang, Banjul, and Kanifing South.
Meanwhile, the Muslim Hands-US packages were sent to Banjul, Kololi, and Sinchu Sorrie. Additionally, the Doctors Worldwide Turkey (DWWT) project provided essential support to those in need at Bonto, Brikama Nyambai, and the Institute of Quran and Islamic Studies in the Banjulinding Branch.
Speaking at the presentation, Ousman Jammeh, the country director of Muslim Hands-The Gambia, highlighted the organisation's awareness of the challenges many Gambians face in making ends meet, adding: “Muslim Hands supports disabled, orphans, and the poor because we have recognised that these sections of society lack the financial resources to obtain all the necessary foodstuffs in this sacred Holy Month of Ramadan.”
These efforts, he stated, aim to ensure that beneficiaries experience comfort during this sacred Holy Month of Ramadan, just like everyone else. Jammeh further emphasised the organisation's deep-rooted belief that orphans and individuals with disabilities deserve comprehensive support.
The food items, he added, would significantly contribute to ensuring that beneficiaries receive essential nourishment throughout this holy month, stressing that some of the packages would indeed sustain the beneficiaries well into the Koriteh celebrations.
Jammeh encouraged beneficiaries to fully utilise the food items with their families, reaffirming the organisation's commitment to addressing the needs of the vulnerable in various ways.
He expressed gratitude to Muslim Hands-UK, Muslim Hands-Canada, Muslim Hands-US, and Doctors Worldwide Turkey (DWWT) for their invaluable partnership and support during this sacred Holy Month of Ramadan, while assuring a continued collaborative relationship with the donors.
Discussing the organisation's approach to feedback and improvement, Lamin Majang, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Officer for Muslim Hands, stated that beneficiaries can offer suggestions to Muslim Hands- The Gambia to enhance their assistance efforts.
“If you have any concerns regarding our donations or services, please feel free to contact us via phone, SMS, email, during our meetings, or by visiting our office," he informed, adding, “Your feedback will help us enhance our support.”
Gibiril Kandeh, a beneficiary from Jambur village, praised the organisation and its partners for their timely assistance, saying: “This support is invaluable to me because I previously had to purchase rice in small quantities along with onions and Irish potatoes from local shopkeepers. With this bag of rice, bag of onions, and bag of Irish potatoes, I won't need to buy foodstuffs for over a month,” he noted.
Babucarr Nyang, a physically challenged from Serrekunda Janjang, expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the assistance he received, adding: “I am incredibly thankful to Muslim Hands and its partners for their support. This generous gesture will greatly help me provide for my family,” said Nyang, who is blind.
At the Kololi presentation ground, Beneficiary Faye Njie expressed her gratitude, saying: "We are filled with joy knowing that we have been struggling to find enough foodstuffs to complete the Holy Month of Ramadan. Muslim Hands has come to our rescue, and we are truly thankful."
