Reuel Foundation hold disability awareness walk

The walk, which started from Africell building on Kairaba Avenue to Westfield Monument, atracted lawmakers, councilors and Binta Janneh Jallow, deputy Mayor of KMC, among others.

In an interview with The Point, Sera Gillen, founder of the foundation, explained that they have been organising the event since last year to ensure that every child has access to education, health care and equal opportunities.

“We hope that all the stakeholders gathered here interacting with PWDs and hearing their challenges will go back more energised in trying to make things better.” she urged.

She thus called on lawmakers and other stakeholders to make plans for the implementation of Acts to empower People Living With Disabilities by creatig a room for inclusivity.

Deputy Mayor of Kanifing Municipality Council, Binta Janneh-Jallow, expressed gratitude to the founder of the Foundation (RRF) for the foresight and conceiving the idea of setting up of a foundation, meant to advocate for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in The Gambia.

She reminded that inclusivity is not just a goal, but a fundamnental principle that guides their actions and policies. 

“Over the past five years, we have taken deliberate steps to ensure that the voices of Persons Living With Disabilities are not only heard, but are also integrated in our policy making process. This commitment was underscored by the selection of a councillor specifically representing Persons Living With Disabilities at the policy-making level.”

That initiative, she added, will sigificantly ensure that the unigue needs and challenges these people face are directly addressed in our governance.  “Our council has consistently prioritized matters relating to assisting persons with disabilities.”

 KMC deputy mayor also dislcosed that the council has consistently prioritised matters relating to assisting persons with disabilities, saying whether it is through logistic support, meeting facilitation, or donations, they have endeavoured to address these needs promptly and effectively. “A tangible example of our commitment is the construction of a ramp at our head office, making our council offices accessible to all. Plans are underway to install 3 elevators to ensure PWDs can access the upper floors of the building as well.”

Anna Nelson Mendy, Director in Charge of Early, Inclusive Education at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), assured of government’s commitment to creating equal environment for all children with PWDs.