Officials said the shelter is dedicated to improving the welfare and health of children and the elderly women especially those living in the Bakoteh shelter.
Funded by the People’s Republic of China, through their Banjul Embassy, the magnificent shelter was handed over to the Gender Ministry at a ceremony held recently.
The project is another testament to the First Lady's strong passion for children’s welfare, development and growth.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia, Liu Jin, said: “The Embassy actively responded to the First Lady's initiative with the desire of helping them to have the Bakoteh shelter be massively renovated with a view to give it a new face look.”
The Chinese diplomat claimed that the Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife prof. Peng Liyuan has great regard for African health and children’s affairs.
He recalled that in 2020, under Prof. Peng Liyuan's initiative, the Chinese government donated medical supplies to help The Gambia government combat the covid-19 pandemic.
He said: “China and Africa, including The Gambia, are brothers treating each other with sincerity and sharing a common future. We have fought shoulder to shoulder against imperialism and colonialism. We have supported each other in pursuit of development. We will always stand for justice in changing the international landscape,” he assured.
China, he went on, is ready to work with African countries, including The Gambia with a view to ensuring the new session of FOCAC is a great success.
“We will enhance our long-standing friendship and deepen unity and collaboration to open up new vistas for faster common development and start a new chapter community with a shared future for a China-Africa community with a shared future,” he claimed
“We wish and also believe that the Bakoteh Shelter Improvement Project will enhance the living conditions of children in the shelter.”
Fatou Kinteh, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Welfare, said: “The shelter at Bakoteh represents more than just a building. It is a sanctuary for The Gambia, providing a safe and nurturing environment for the children who will shape the destiny of this great nation.”
Minister Kinteh added: “Our hope is that, this facility will continue to serve as a beacon of hope, offering protection, care and the opportunity for a brighter future to the children who need it most,” she said
The Gender Minister continued: “The Shelter for Improvement project is a direct result of the collaborative efforts between the Government of The Gambia and the Government of the People's Republic of China, reflecting a shared commitment to improving the lives of the most vulnerable members of society.”
First Lady Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, said: “The Gambia has embarked on a journey of transformation, striving to improve the lives of its citizens to ensure sustainable development.”
First Lady Bah-Barrow assured the donors that the infrastructures and materials will be well taken care of and utilized effectively in order to achieve the intended goals.
