A foundation stone was recently laid in Wuli Barrow Kunda, Upper River Region (URR), along the beginning of a new fencing project for Barrow Kunda Lower Basic School.  Funded by Beakanyang kofo and the Barrow Kunda community, the project also benefited support from the Friends of Gambian Schools (FROGS).

In laying the foundation stone of the fence, Yunusa Manneh, duster monitor of the area, thanked Beakanyang Kafo, for complementing government’s efforts in the education sector.He then commended the community of Barrow Kunda for their active
participation since the starting of the project.

For his part, Nfamara Jawneh, secretary general of Beakanyang Kafo, described this project as another milestone in the history of Beakanyang, adding that it is also an indication that they are on the right track towards achieving their aims and objectives.

Mr. Jawneh recalled that he visited the school few months ago to discuss with the principal and his team, about Beakanyang’s
intention to support the school with a fence or staff quarters. He seized the opportunity to recall  adding that the initiative was acknowlegde and they all look forward to a day like the laying of the foundation stone.

He called on the residents of Barrow Kunda and the surrounding areas to actively participate in this work, noting that it is meant for their children.

Jawneh observed that the fence will create  an enabling learning environment for children, secure the garden, flowers and the
school as a whole.

He expressed delight at the level of preparedness manifested by the community and also assured that Beakanyang will continue
to complement government’s efforts in the areas of education, health and agriculture.

Yahya Sumareh, Board chairperson of Beakanyang Kafo, appealed to NGO’s government, philanthropists etc to help them with more funds for a successful implementation of the project.

Those interested in helping in this cause can contact Beakanyang office on 002209868882 or email: Beakanyang@yahoo.come

Ebrima Touray, head teacher of Barrow Kunda LBS, chaired the ceremony.

We all know how important it is to stay healthy and a big part of making sure we achieve that goal is to get some regular exercise.

But while it can be a good idea to try and incorporate some exercise into your everyday life – letting the lift go in favour of using the stairs and walking to work instead of catching the bus, for example - you will see even better results if you actually take some time out to get some proper exercise.

Every single day there are people up and down the country who get up early and go for a run before getting ready for work. It’s tempting to think these people are mad but when you start running yourself you’ll soon see and feel the benefits it has to offer.

One of the main benefits of this particular sport is that it opens up a whole new way of helping others. Many of us simply set up a direct debit whenever we want to give some cash to our favourite charity and donating a small amount every month can certainly do a lot of good.

But what about going a step further? If you find you really enjoy running, why not sign yourself up to raise some cash by taking part in some charity runs? These are a great way to get out and about and run in the company of others – which makes a wonderful change if you usually go running on your own. You will also be able to raise funds for a worthwhile cause – some people end up being sponsored to run by their friends, family and workmates, which can raise a lot of money.

It’s a good idea to make sure you are fully fit and able to take part on the day itself, especially if you are fairly new to running. Try and find out where the course will be and go and explore it if possible before the day of the race arrives. Even though these charity events tend to be known as fun runs - rather than being run against the clock – you will struggle if you are not fit enough to run and complete the course.

If it is longer than the usual length of run you are used to, build up slowly in the weeks leading up to the event to make sure you are able to complete the course on the day. Don’t forget you may need to run in the rain or in cold weather, so be prepared for whatever the weather may throw at you.

A regular running schedule can be extremely enjoyable. It keeps you fit, helps you to lose weight and it also improves your overall stamina. Combining all this with the opportunity to help a worthwhile charity by raising some money, meeting new people and having fun all at the same time makes it even better.

Try Women Oyster Association (TWOA) on the

The boats were presented by Anna Mbenga Cham, a gender specialist at the Fisheries department, together with Fatou Janha, founder and coordinator of TWOA.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Mrs Mbenga Cham stated the importance of the mangroves in the river bank and the ecology of oyster.

Her department, she noted, plans to help the oyster collectors by organising workshops through which they would be trained on how to remove oyester from the mangroves rather than chopping the mangroves, as they have been doing.

For her part, Mrs Fatou Janha Mboob, founder and coordinator of TWOA, urged all oyster collectors in the country, especially the women, to come together as one and organise themselves into associations for more improvement and better returns in their trade.

“Dont wait for the government to do all for you; don’t beg people to do all for you,” she urged the women, adding that members of TWOA have been well trained and are better organised “as they now wear uniforms, put on gloves and have a special packaging method”.

Soffie Jatta, president of the association, told the gathering that they appreciated what Mrs Mboob had done for them by organising fundraising activities from which they derived substantial sums of money they had used to buy the three canoes, open an account for the association and individual accounts for each member.

Dawda Saine of the Fisheries department commended also Mrs Mboob for bringing the women togther and for helping them to reach the stage they have reached.

He said Mrs Mboob, who was a customer of the oyster trading women, saw the constraints of the women and decided to come to their rescue by making their plight known to the Fisheries department.

Mr Saine also called on other women to emulate Mrs Mboob.