By: Haruna Kuyateh
Malvern St. James Girls College of UK on Sunday donated some medicines to Illiasa Minor Centre and learning materials to Mama Tamba Nursery School of Illiasa at a ceremony held in Illiasa, North Bank Region (NBR).
The college has long a standing partnership of over three decades with its Gambian Counterpart, Lamin Jammeh.
Vicky Collett, head of the team disclosed the college’s commitment to the health of women, noting that it would contribute to enhancing their participation in socio-economic development.
She said their partnership with LaminJammeh and Family enabled them to realize their dream and noted that the support will continue to make a difference in the lives of the people including the ECD center.
Dilating on their support to the beneficiaries, she said the college supported the construction of a classroom block in 1995 and an assembly hall in 2003 at Illiasa Basic Cycle School and regular donation of medicines at Illiasa Minor Health Centre worth over £110,000 to support the development needs of Upper Badibou, in the area of health and education drive.
She noted that this year’s visit included groups of girls from Malvern ST. James Girls College to see how community projects impact the lives of rural dwellers and above all build friendships and learn more about Gambian life.
The presentation was attended by the National Assembly Member for Upper Badibou Hon. Sankung Dampha, Senior District Tribunal Court Member, Bakary Jammeh of Illiasa, and a cross-section of the community members.
The visiting students of the college witnessed the presentation and learned how community projects are impacting the lives of rural dwellers.
Hon. Sankung Dampha of Upper Badibou described the donation as timely in providing effective healthcare service to the people.
He, therefore, called on the management of Illiasa Minor Health Centre to keep inventory and proper utilization of donated drugs, noting that it would contribute to enhancing transparency and accountability. Hon. Dampha noted that since he was head teacher at Duntu Malang Primary and Schools in Upper Badibouhe has known the donor as a true partner interested in the educational development of children and good health of the people.
Saikou Leigh, Officer In Charge of Illiasa Health Facility lauded the gesture of the visiting students with the donor for their unflinching support to the health sector. He noted that the delivery of quality essential medicines demonstrated the college’s commitment to supporting the health and well-being of the people of Upper Badibou.
Mr. Tamba Jammeh, Head Teacher of Mama Tamba Nursery school said the support towards the establishment of the school, contributed to promoting early childhood education. He disclosed that since the establishment of ECD, it has contributed to the promotion of educational development and attainment of quality education.
He explained that ECD has an enrolment of 110 (60 girls and 50 boys) students. However, 35 students completed and enrolled at lower basic schools.
Bakary Jammeh used the moment to call on citizens of Upper Badibou residing at home and diaspora to support and complement the government’s efforts in strengthening health care service.