By Biran Gaye
Bundung Freetown street has got 33 solar lights worth D25,000 that seeks to promote social cohesion among community members and promote uniform development.
It is also viewed that the street lights will help in the areas of security by helping to expose thieves during the night who often carry out petty theft and burglary at night time.
Alhagie Babou Sowe, member of the organising committee said “we owe it to our communities because they opened up their arms to welcome us to stay, unite and live together as humans and with such gesture we need to give back.
He added: “this is what brought the idea of our community electrification project. The electrification project is not for one individual’s benefit but for the entire community. Two major benefits gain from this is Security – To deter criminal activity in our community streetlights will help ward off thieves, burglary and also rape cases. Peace – This can exist without security and it’s the fundamental right for every human being acquire this.”
In implementing this project, the youth of Bundung have decided not to wait for the authorities to electrify their community and launch similar community development projects in the vicinity. The next phase of the project is to partner with health authorities in providing medical assistance for elderly persons with Diabetes and other related health complications affecting the elderly members of community and people in need of such medical attention within the community. This will increase the community’s access to professional medical advice which will improve the health of the community and better protect the environment.
Football is another area which the group is interested in because it attracts lots of youth, the association will support young people who have dreams in football and ensure that they have a competitive football team within the community of Freetown. However, it is worth stressing that the electrification of the Freetown neighbourhood in Bundung is not the first of its kind. Similar undertakings were seen in communities like Jeshwang, New Yundum amongst others which without doubt, symbolizes the growing sentiment of nationalism and volunteerism. The youth of Freetown Street hopes that their efforts will inspire other young Africans, especially Gambians to promote community development in their own ways.