Women gardeners in Barrow Kunda call for support

Speaking recently during a surprise visit by officials of Beakanyang organization, Kinti Sidibeh, Lady President of the village lamented that adequate water supply in the garden is affecting their production.

“We need a borehole because all our wells at the garden dry up and the other one that used to serve as the main source of water for us these years has also started to collapse,” she said.

According to her, other than the water scarcity at the garden they also need strong wire for perimeter fence.

“We have about 400 women in this garden but our fate is hanging this year due to this water problem we are facing,” she lamented.

Jarai Touray, vice president of Barrow Kunda Kambeng Kafo said they have written to various departments and projects and hope that their major problem of water would be addressed sooner rather than later.

Isatou Sanneh, PRO of the group made a personate appeal to Beakanyang to rehabilitate one of the wells they dug for them many years ago as a short-term solution.

“This garden over the years has been very helpful to us as a source of income and livelihoods,” he noted.

Nfamara Jawneh, Executive Director of Beakanyang applauded the women for their hard work while expressing solidary for their daily struggle to draw water from deep wells that are in bad state.

He reaffirmed Beakanyang’s commitment to empowering women and youth in the area while disclosing that they have recently opened a field office in Basse to bring them closer to communities they work with.

He encouraged the women to make best use of the opportunities being provided by their Basse office.

“We know very well that the women of this community and Gambian women in general are very hardworking but lack the necessary support,” he said.

Mr. Jawneh said that apart from advocating for the human rights of women and youth and ensuring their meaningful participation in decision-making processes, the organisation also supports small community projects to achieve their goal.

He urged the women in the community to remain united and continue their hard work to live a better life.

He promised that their concerns and appeals will be shared with the board of directors of the organization for advice.