The Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS) on Monday received two brand new vehicles from the Institutional Development of West African Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, to Strengthen Response Capacity (IDWARC) project.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, held at the GRCS headquarters in Kanifing, Mrs. Carmen Echezerreta Inurritegul, the representative of the Spanish Red Cross Society, said that IDWARC is a regional project that is being implemented jointly by the International Federation of Red Cross, Spanish Red Cross and eight Sister West African National Societies with the objective of strengthening the response capacity of those societies. He said that the project is entirely funded by AECID (Spanish Agency for International Cooperation). She revealed that within the framework of the project, the GRCS will benefit from two vehicles, ten motor bikes, eight computers, and printers, four fax machines, four scanners, eight cell phones, furniture and the rehabilitation of the Basse branch. “On the other hand, GRCS personnel will participate in different training courses that will strengthen national society response capacity,” she said.

Mrs. Fatou Mas Jobe, president of GRCS, said that the greatest challenge and constraint faced by the society is mobility, but the vehicles donated will boost their operations. She described the donation as timely and thus thanked the partners and their donors for the gesture. She assured that the vehicles will be put into good use.

Dr.Malick Njie, Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare, said that the government and his state department recognise the invaluable support and auxiliary role of GRCS in responding to emergencies and other humanitarian needs countrywide. He commended GRCS

for meeting their expectations. He also thanked the partners of GRCS for making it possible for the society to function effectively. Mrs Ndey Sireng Bakurin Secretary General Gambia Red Cross Society chaired the ceremony which was attended by several dignitaries.

During a three-day trip up country, the FROGS team of Sally and Malcolm Reader visited the Basic Cycle School at Nyaga Bantang, CRD. The couple had previously visited the school in 2007, when the Headmaster, Mr. Alsana Manneh had appealed for help with their gardening project. The school had nothing in the way of gardening tools and the pupils borrowed from villagers when attending to their plots.

FROGS provided basic tools, a wheelbarrow, watering cans, spades, forks, hoes, hand tools and barbed wire and nails to reinforce the locally built fence.

Speaking at a brief presentation ceremony at the school, Madam Reader expressed their pleasure in helping the school.

She hoped that the tools will make the garden easier work and a more fruitful place.

The garden master, Pa Wally Ndinbalan said the tools would not only help the students in their gardening but would also help them in learning.

In another development, Bijilo Lower Basic School is twice blessed by FROGS assistance.

During a recent visit to her local Lower Basic School, Sally Reader, FROGS co-ordinator, was approached by the Headmaster, Mr. Kebbeh Fatty to help the school further and provide a new roof and chimney for the school kitchen.

The chimney had been damaged by youths playing football on a neighbouring field and the roofing sheets were worn out.

As the rainy season was fast approaching, FROGS moved rapidly and within 10 days the job was completed.

Not a moment too soon, as less that one week later the first rains hit Bijilo.

Fortunately for Bijilo LBS they can now continue providing lunches for their pupils, the feeding programme was instigated by FROGS in May 2007 and sustained by the school management.

After his conviction for having sex with a minor, Kebba Ceesay of Tallinding will now dedicate some man-hours to the Gambia Senior Secondary School in Banjul.

Kebba was recently fined D2000 for having carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of consent and will spend 12 months in jail if he defaults in fine payment.

He was found guilty of having sex with the girl after inviting her to his house in Tallinding.

The case was prosecuted by Inspector L. Touray and chaired by Magistrate Kumba Sillah-Camara.

Women’s Federation Nursery school in Brikama yesterday benefited from football jerseys which were donated by Lamin King Colley President of the Brikama Youths and Sports Committee.

According to Alkali Cham, Sports Coordinator to Nursery Schools in Western Region, Women’s Federation Nursery school is one of the oldest Nursery schools from the area. This was why it was decided to award jerseys to the school which, among many other things, helps to develop sports at that level.

He seized the opportunity to announce that Brikama will organise their first ever inter nursery school sports event at the end of the third term and will be again sponsored by Lamin King Colley.

He stated that nursery school sports should be well considered and will make sure that come the inter-school competition, all schools will be represented.

Speaking at the presentation, Lamin King Colley tasked the Sports Committee in charge of Nursery schools affairs in the area to come up with programmes of activities that will promote their sports with the help of sponsorship.

He said the donation is part of his contribution in developing grassroots sports for nursery schools. He added similar gestures are expected in future.

The headmaster of the school Ousman Touray, who witnessed the presentation at the school ground, expressed appreciation to the gesture.

Meanwhile at a congress organised by the Brikama Youths and Sports Association over the weekend, the following people while elected into office contrary to what was stated in Tuesday’s issue.

1.Lamin King Colley-  President

2.Pa Ansu  Nyass  1st Vice President

3.Nyankou  Touray  2 Vice President

4.Borry Jarju  Secretary General

5.Alhagie  Tamba  Jammeh  Ass. Secretary General

6.Karamo  Jarju  Treasurer

7.Samsideen  Bojang  Ass. Treasurer

8.Alasana Bojang Social Secretary

9.Busia Ebrima Drammeh Ass. Social Secretary

10.Sarjo Sorah Auditor

11.And 15 other co-opted members

After a very eloquent speech delivered on behalf of Gabriel I. Gbaglo, the president of the IFJ West African Bureau, based in Dakar who has always comes to celebrate such days with Gambian journalists, was in Maputo to celebrate the same Day with their colleagues. Louie Thomasi, the representative said in those days one would report and be damned but now report and be killed. He talked about the many killings of journalists in the world and the shooting and killing of Deyda Hydara of The Gambia and called on people to see journalists as partners. He mentioned the many detentions of journalists in the world and said Eritrea is the worst country for journalists and Gambia is named as one of the countries with the highest number of journalists on exile. Other areas he said their killings were too much. “Eritrea has no private media.” The muzzling of journalists he said has to be stopped and journalists should do their work in peace without hindrance. “We are working assiduously to change the situation. We are speaking to relevant authorities to see reason to stop impunity against journalists. “Journalists are the most endangered species in recent times.” He remembered one of their fallen colleagues in the like of Deyda Hydara whose coward murderers are yet to be brought to book for the heinous crime against an honest son of the land and a superb journalist whose work challenged a lot of burning issues leading to his untimely assassination by cowards in the cover of the dark. He quoted the lines recited by the Late Deyda Hydara before his then programme at the Radio Syd: “Il est minuit, le temps vient de faire son oeuvre, un jour s’en est alle, un autre jour vien de naitre, avec ses paines. Mais nous chers auditeurs, nous vous souhaitons bonjour.”

Ba Tarawally in his contribution said, journalists are to blame. “Journalists are not united and they should be united to for a better cause.” The judiciary is often not fair to the journalist. The police he said were another set that are there to capture journalist whether right or wrong. “They should resist and do the right thing.” He said.

Mr. Jallow, the Administrator at the Gambia Press Union, suggested that GPU sets up media council. He said the journalism profession is the luckiest. “People can come from school straight to the newsroom and becomes a journalist.”

Madi MK Ceesay, the former GPU president and Director of the Media Agenda, registered his dissatisfaction about the closure of four media outlets, the Independent Newspaper, Citizen FM, Sud FM and … “We are not celebrating but mourning. I could be killed nothing would come out of it, you could be killed nothing will as well come out of it as par indication. We need to do something about this.”

Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, the opposition UDP leader said all concentration is on physical harassment. On the potent of any journalist, you may have 100 journalists who can’t perform their journalism properly, they are endangered. “The profession should be unified. The Gambia Press Union has not stood up to fight for the many problems. What are you doing? I think in the circumstances of hopelessness, you may ask government to let go of journalist Fatou Jaw Manneh’s case. But Press Union has to stand up and do more.” Lawyer said.

Swaibou Conateh, a veteran journalist and the editor - in - chief of the News and Report Magazine, suggested for journalists to study the law more to be able to properly interpret it and do more.

Louie Thomasi felling compassion over issues brought up about Gambian journalists says, “We are doing our best. We have been issuing letters and have sent it to the Gambian president as well. “The journalists should emancipate themselves from mental slavery. It is not all who work for a newspaper that are journalists.” He says.

Halifa Sallah then dilated on the main theme: Freedom of Expression, Access and Empowerment. He called journalists to unite and form a common force but disunity he said was not good for them. He says, “The people should protect the journalist. We should use this day to highlight their problems and help GPU to enhance the dignity of the journalist.”    

He further says, “Many tyrants have come and gone. Many tyrants will go from our continent but the pen will stay, for the pen is mightier than the sword.”

OJ Jallow, the veteran politician says, “Many thought after the GPU Congress that there would no more be a GPU but here you are still going on strong.” When others are killed journalist talk and make it known for action but when journalists are killed everyone is mute. The press OJ said is the leading voice which should be inculcated in people. “The moment the people become afraid the government it becomes a despotic government. When the government becomes afraid of the people then it is democracy. There is no political success without using the press, the press that is not recognized by the government. They are suppressed, our African governments are intolerant. Until there are divergent views we can’t be glad, let us forget about egoism.”

Lawyer Alimamy Taal noticed that there were a lot of silly stories on newspapers and said it was due to the lack of empowerment. Journalists should be really prepared to face the challenges, they need the light. They are not going to be ruled by the gun or those with the law in their hands.

Sheick Lewis said issues have been raised to protect journalist but “have we challenged ourselves? When we invite people to come to such programmes it is only the opposition that turns up. We need to dialogue. Many in the government have been journalists in the past. Who is protecting the journalist? The young journalists will run or be quiet if the seniors are caught or killed. We need to empower them or else I will join them to run away from the field.

Ousman Yabo said they’ve been waiting too long to do something for the backlog of offences against the journalist.

Ida Jallow blamed Gambian journalists for accepting a lot of things happening especially from some media houses and that the Gambian journalist is not protected in the hands of a few.

Journalsits said a lot to keep them thinking and to awaken the populace to protect their own journalist because they are out to empower the populace.

The GPU under the leadership of Ndey Taffa Sosseh, has launched a newsletter carrying news and views launched by Suaki Bojang. The president (Ndey Taffa Sosseh) showed his appreciation to those that graced the occasion and thanked those who did all that they could to make it a success. She said it was left with the journalism fraternity to move forward from what they have heard.

“A living Mirror” a book on the life of Deyda Hydara by Aloa Ahmed Alota and Demba A. Jawo was launched and the proceeds go to Deyda Hydara Foundation. Pap Saine, Editor in-chief and co-proprietor of the Point Newspaper bought the highest number of copies in solidarity with its cause.

Tourism and the money it generates must be made to benefit all the people of The Gambia. If it does not then it is nothing more than a scourge to the nation. People from all over the world flock to The Gambia to enjoy the warm sunshine the famous welcome of the Gambian people and they are very welcome. They bring much needed investment and contribute significantly to the economy of the nation. What must be ensured is that this money benefits the entire nation. It must not simply be allowed to go into the pockets of wealthy business people or foreign companies.

It is for this reason that it is so heartening to read about Gambian Longevity through Village Education (GLOVE) a charity registered in The Gambia in June last year. This charity is significantly improving the lives of the villagers of Sam Mbullet in Lower Numi District in the North Bank Region. This is exactly the kind of tourism we need.

Speaking at a recent press conference Madam Jackie Church, founder cum Project Director of GLOVE, recounted various ways the charity is helping to improve the lives of the rural poor people of Sam Mbullet a settlement of seven hundred people.

She said Tilly’s Tours is promoting tourism up country thus helping GLOVES achieve it objectives. Since its foundation less than a year ago the charity, through tourists coming to the Tilly’s Tours, has managed to donate educational materials, medical items, vegetable seeds, clothes, a community centre, 153 treated mosquito bed nets, sponsorship for 28 children, chlorinating of wells and a number of footballs. “This shows you how much tourism can be used to alleviate poverty in The Gambia,” Madam Church stressed. It is wonderful to hear comments of this kind and it certainly highlights the fact that there are many tourists coming to this country who want to see the money they spend contributing to our national socio-economic development.

GLOVE must also be commended for the way in which they are approaching their work. While they are a charitable organisation they are aiming to make their work sustainable.

According to Madam Church, their focus now is on long-term agriculture through micro irrigation, small-scale enterprise development including tie and dye and soap making to enable the village to become self-sufficient.

Cognisant of the significance of farming in The Gambia GLOVE intends to work with engineers from the UK and the US to help the village with an irrigation system for the purpose of farming and to help compose fertilizer.

Madam Church emphasised that if all tour operators in the country are doing what Tilly’s Tours is doing more people in the rural areas will also benefit from tourism directly. She called on the people to support Tilly’s Tours in whatever way they can to enable them continue helping more people. We couldn’t agree more and hope that more and more tourists will listen to these wise words.

“God loveth the Cheerful giver.”

The Bible.