The borehole is the 11th the foundation has donated to communities in The Gambia. The gesture aimed to provide clean drinking water to the health facility and near homes.
The inauguration was attended by officials of the foundations, Village Development Committee, staff of Touba Kolong Health Centre and residents. It was characterised by drumming and dancing.
Ismaila Camara, national coordinator for Nema Belgium Foundation said the gesture is geared towards contributing to national development by providing potable water to vulnerable communities.
“We have donated boreholes to several communities,” he said, while urging residents of Touba Kolong to take good care of the water facility.
“It is your responsibility to take good care of the borehole to ensure its sustainability,” he told residents.
Modou Bah, secretary general for Nema Belgium Foundation said that the foundation mobilises resources through contributions of several people and international partner organisations to support vulnerable communities with water and medical services.
“The foundation does not only donate boreholes. We also provide medication for health facilities and support vulnerable families to put food on the table,” he noted.
Bah expressed delight to the village head and VDC for what he called their commitment to development. However, he urged the village authorities to put a sustainability mechanism in place to prolong the facility’s services.
Ousman Sowe, VDC Chairman for Touba Kolong commended the foundation and its partners for the humanitarian service. He said the gesture is a milestone achievement in the community, justifying that prior to the donation, getting water was a constraint in the health facility and nearby homes.
“We cannot pay you (Nema Belgium Foundation) for the gesture but pray to the Almighty Allah to bestow his blessing on the foundation so that you get more funds,” he said.
Moreover, he assured them that the community will take good care of the water facility.
Bucharri Jatta, women leader at the community thanked the foundation and its partners for making water accessible to the health centre and its surroundings.
She said previously patients, especially pregnant women used to travel out of the community to get water to launder their clothes. The borehole, she added, has now eliminated the nightmare.
Modou Leye, officer in charge of Touba Kolong Health Centre said: “The health centre was having severe water challenges but now it has become a history thanks to Nema Belgium Foundation.”
