The new foundation named 'The Namie Foundation' was launched at a colourful ceremony held at GTHI hotel school.
The foundation seeks to mobilise resources and people in order to promote education in The Gambia through providing high-quality and innovative professional learning space to educators from Early Childhood Development to Grade Twelve and beyond.
It also seeks to create educational opportunities and support to learners through sponsorship and exchange programmes between educators in The Gambia and their colleagues in the United States of America.
Fatou Susso Jobarteh, Chief Operating Officer of The Namie Foundation, said the occassion marks another milestone in their journey to help and contribute to national development.
She said the word 'Namie' means blessings and contribution, saying the foundation is committed to contributing it's quota to national development.
She spoke highly of the true virtue her grandmother stood for in building bridges and educating not only her family, but the society through oral tradition of the griots.
"Her legacy is what we are building on today. I didn't get the chance to further my education like my brother. However, the Foundation inspires me to further my education even as an adult. I also want to inspire young girls to continue their education and realise full potential," she stated.
Lawyer Ousainou A.N.M. Darboe, former Vice president of The Gambia and leader of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), said the foundation was established to promote and sustain her legacy.
"The late Namie stood for everything that was virtuous and cemented relationship between people to ensure a sense of activism."
Alpha Bah, Director of Quality Assurance from Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), described the launch of the foundation as timely in the sense that it comes at a time when the education policy is being reviewed at midterm.
"One key importance of this foundation is partnership which cannot be more important if you are not partnering with your local and domestic partners."
Alhassan Susso, chairman of the Namie Foundation, said idea behind the formation of the foundation is to reposition the country’s education system.
"If we stand tall, its obvious we stand on the soldiers of those who came before us. Our goal is to build on what has been already established. Education is the weapon that one can use to transform the world.” he stated.
The Foundation, he added, is to make sure students suceed not only academically, but productive in society as well as intelligent individuals.
