The head girl of Sibanor Upper Basic and Senior Secondary School in Foni has written to the TRRC expressing appreciation for the opportunity to attend the Commission’s public hearings held in the town from 25th – 28th November, 2019 and learn some valuable lessons. In a letter dated 28th November and addressed to TRRC Chair Dr. Lamin Sise, head girl Kumba Sanneh also expressed her fellow students’ optimism that the truth being revealed through the Commission’s work “will surely encourage healing, reconciliation and reparations in order to develop our beloved country, The Gambia, into a well-coordinated society…”.
Below is the full text of the head girl’s letter which Chairman Sise read out during a short break in the Commission’s proceedings in Sibanor on Thursday, 28th November.
Dear Sir,
APPRECIATION
On behalf of the students and school administration of Sibanor Upper Basic and Senior Secondary School, we would like to express our profound gratitude to the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission’s (TRRC) Chair for allowing the students to attend the TRRC proceedings held in Sibanor from Monday the 25th to Thursday the 28th November 2019.
We are sure that the very existence of the TRRC is to dig out the human rights violations committed by the former regime. We are really optimistic that if the truth is revealed, it will surely encourage healing, reconciliation and reparations in order to develop our beloved country, The Gambia, into a well-coordinated society where the past evils will be forgiven and forgotten for good.
The outreach work of the TRRC in Sibanor gives the students the opportunity to interact with learned and respectable Commissioners. We are extremely happy to receive your wise words of inspirational advice that the TRRC findings will not only serve as a learning source but also a turning point for the young generation as they are the future leaders of this country, The Gambia.
We take this opportunity to appeal to our mothers and fathers who have suffered in one way or the other to bury the past and forgive in the name of Allah so that together we would build a better future for the young generation, bearing in mind the slogan “Never Again”. May the All Mighty Allah protect all of us, especially you, the Chair and Commissioners in your noble endeavours.
Yours Faithfully,
Kumba Sanneh
(Head Girl)
