The Foundation for Disabled People (FFDP) in The Gambia on Tuesday handed over 16 wheel chairs to disable members across the country, at a presentation ceremony held at it’s head office in Banjul.
Speaking at the ceremony, Kehinde Gabriel Opesan, President of the Foundation said his foundation was established seven year’s ago as a charitable organisation with the aim of complimenting government efforts in the area of social welfare services. According to him, since then, his foundation had contributed immensely towards alleviating the mobility problem of physically challenge people in the country.
He stated that, the Lord Mayor of Haslemere, Lord Brian Howard through Pageant Charity in the United Kingdom gave the foundation in The Gambia, 2500 pounds for the production of the wheel chairs for disabled students of which they produced 16 within four months of starting the project. He then called on all and sundry to come to the support of the organisation in enabling them to render more services to the person with disabilities and the vulnerable in our society.
Mr Opesan then commended the Gambia government for the enabling environment created for them.
For her part, Ann Keating of Pageant Charity in the UK noted that their chairtable organisation has in the past years sponsored over 200 students and open a loan scheme for the women.
According to her, all is geared towards assisting and support Gambians to achieve a meaningful life. She promised that her organisation will continue to support in complementing government efforts towards national development.
Batch Kandeh, one of the beneficiaries from Central River Region, thanked FFDP and Pageant UK for the assistance. He observed that the gesture will go a long way in supporting the plight of the disable especially those in the rural areas.
Other speakers included Gabou Jarju of the Social Welfare Department, Sainabou Ceesay, secretary general of FFDP, who also presented a sewing machine to the benificiaries at the ceremony.