140, 000 Pound Sterling Boost for Women Gardeners

The British High Commision in Banjul on Thursday 5th March 2009 presented a cheque amounting to 140,000.00 Pound sterling to three women horticultural gardens in the Western Region.

The beneficiaries were Saint Joseph’s family farm project in Bwiam, Fayunku Horticultural garden in Gunjur, and (GIG) in Yundum.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at Fayunku Women horticultural garden in Gunjur, the Director of Trust Agency for Rural Development (TARUD), Alhagie Sandang Bojang, said that Fayunku women horticultural garden was established in 1999 with the effort of Nysimba Aja Kebbeh. According to him, the aims and objectives of the garden is to alleviate poverty among women in Gunjur.

He hailed the British High Commission for their valuable support towards the improvement of the lives of the women in Gunjur.

Speaking earlier the British High Commissioner to The Gambia, Mr Phil Sinkinson, revealed that the bilateral program budget funds are used to complement the other work of the British High Commission in The Gambia and to replace the Small Grant Scheme.

He further revealed that more than 1.3 million Dalasis will be spent from this program by the British High Commission in The Gambia in 2008/09.

According to him, the funding will be used to provide training, improved facilities and equipment, and that Fayunku horticultural garden will receive 5,000 Pounds sterling.

For his part, the Director of Saint Joseph’s family farm project, Marcel Badjie, applauded the British High Commissioner for the support given to women. He added that the money would go a long way in alleviating poverty among women, and contributing to their socio-economic development.

Other speakers included Country director of Concern Universal, Patricia Walls, and Alagie Darboe from (GiG).