By Sulayman Waan
Holland couple over the weekend presented a garden and its materials to the women of Youna village in Kombo South District, West Coast Region, while the presentation ceremony was held in the rural settlement.
The couple Mr. Ton and Mrs. Ineke purchased sizable plot of land fence it with borehole, solar panel, concrete reservoir, rubber pipes and toilet over D2.2 million and donated it to the women of Youna.
The agricultural place called Good Garden aimed at enhancing the women’s economic status so as to improve their living standard.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony Mr. Ton, donor said the gesture is part of their mission of helping the needy in the Gambia and beyond, noting that the idea came as a result of his discussion with the garden coordinator Modou Njie on how to contribute in the development of the rural settlement.
“When we decided to contribute to the development of this community we [the couple] bought a car for him so as to work effectively. Later in 2018 we came back and he showed us the plot of land where the garden is now established,” he revealed.
According to him, the project will help the women embark on gardening and also contribute to their living, calling on woman to achieve their desire in the garden as he also commended Mr. Njie for his immense support in the implementation of the project.
Speaking on behalf of the garden coordinator, Isaac Mendy noted that the project is significant and it will provide employment opportunity and help in improving the lives and livelihood of the rural women.
He said: “The garden will reduce the burden of dependency in the community.” Adding the women should work and use the best of the garden.
Representing the village head, Modou Bah expressed important of the developing the village, stating that the garden is situated in his settlement but it belong to the whole nation because it will benefit every Gambian either directly or indirectly.
He commended the garden coordinator Modou Njie for demonstrating honesty and patriotism. He disclosed that if Mr. Njie was not honest he would have diverted the funds to his personal interest since he was working directly with the philanthropists without stocktaking.
Matti Faal, women leader expressed gratitude to the couple for the gesture, adding women will work hard to realize their aspirations in the garden. “This project will go a long way in enhancing our economic status,” she said.
