D120, 000 water project for GLBS

VZW Hart Voor-Gambia, a charitable organisation based in Belgium, on Thursday handed over a borehole to Gunjur Lower Basic School (GLBS), at a colourful ceremony held at the school premises.

Valued at D120, 000  (one hundred and twenty thousand Dalasis), the project has come at a time when the school is desperately in need of clean water. In his welcome remarks, Jerreh Bojang, the headteacher  of Gunjur Lower Basic School, said he is overwhelmed by such gesture, adding that the school, which has over 1, 857 students and that they have been facing serious constraints relating to water   and sanitation.

He further noted that the intervention is timely, as the donors’ contribution   will help to minimise the long-standing problem.  Consequently, over 5000 people, including the school children, will see the end of the tunnel in having access to clean water. He therefore revealed that efforts have been made to get clean water for the past years, but to no avail. Clean water, he noted, is fundamental for humanity. ‘‘The availability of clean water will facilitate the control of children,’’ he explained.

He finally seized the opportunity to thank the donors especially Dezutter Johan, the president of the organisation and Modou Lamin Jatta who mediated the project. Alhagie Sulayman Touray, deputising for the chief of Kombo South  District, Sheriff Ajeh Janneh, said that their ultimate aim was to get clean water. He therefore challenged the school administration to take good care of the borehole so that it can serve its purpose. According to him, children are vulnerable to water-bone deseases and sustainability of the borehole will prevent the children from those kind of diseases. In handing over the borehole to the school, Dezutter Johan,  the president of VZW Hart Voor- Gambia gave a brief history of the cause of the project. He went on to say that they were in the country on holiday.

He recalled that they were on a bicycle ride, when they coincidentaly met Modou Lamin Jatta, a native of Gunjur, whom he described as optimistic and ambitious. He also highlighted the difficulties they face in Gunjur Lower Basic School and made an emphasis on the significance of water. A situation, he mentioned, that warranted them to sponsor the project, through a formation of an association in Belgium."Indeed it was challenging; due to the global financial crisis, we faced some difficulties in getting funds", he disclosed.

He finally assured the gathering and the school administration that they will continue their support in other areas. One of these is the renovation of the sanitary facilities, but was quick to say that they will be staying with the school for another one year and will go to other parts of the country.

Other speakers included Bernard Vgille, who is their association’s co-ordinator in The Gambia; Famara Bojang, village development chairman; Aji Mai Bojang, village women’s leader; Sulayman Touray, the Alkalo of Gunjur and Bajay Bojang, chairperson of School Management Committee (SMC). A cross section of school children, staffs, parents and sponsors attended the occasion from Belgium.