Wasserturn Restaurant, situated about 100 metres from the Junction of Kairaba Hotel has opened and attracted dignitaries and ordinary fun lovers over the weekend.

The proprietor, Joseph Semir, from Turkey but based in The Germany, said he is in the same business in Germany for 42 years now. The Wasserturn restaurant is a replica of what the proprietor owns in Germany. The beautiful garden in front makes it different from the many restaurants in the country.

“The interior of the restaurant is incomparable due to the care,” says Tijan C one of the customers. Joseph Semir says, “The place is meant not only for tourists but for Gambians throughout the year. I care about cleanliness and good service.”

Added to affordable food and drink, the many interesting games in the restaurant are quite free for customers. This added glamour to the opening ceremony, which gathered several customers at the family buffet without paying to eat the whole night long. Many people were engaged in the different games of darts snooker and kicker, billiards and some thrilling games. 

Joseph Semir said his experience in the entertainment arena makes his establishment unique, outstanding and eventually the most exciting place to eat with friends and family.

Dodou Jawo, the manager, thanked Mr Semir for contribution towards the development of The Gambia in his own way. “In two weeks he handed the business to me, he is a kind man”, he said. He promised to do this best to promote the place.

 Epan Semir, manager and brother, said he made the garden and bar. Furniture, he said, was imported from Germany. “I am asking all Gambians to come, eat, drink and have the fun,” he said.

 The Wasserturn restaurant is the newest, best, decent and cheap restaurant with good free games. Come you will always come back, see you there!

Up to 34 schools in The Gambia recently participated in the World Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child (WCPRC).

WCPRC is an annual event organised globally by Children’s World an NGO based in Sweden which works towards educating children on democracy and their rights. Candidates for this year were Jose Fina Condori from Peru, Agnes Stevens from the United States and Somaly Mam of Cambodia.

The event, which was set aside for children to vote for the rights of the child, started on the 3rd of April and ran until the 11th.

In The Gambia the Child Protection Alliance (CPA), a leading body in the protection of children’s rights, dispatched officials to the event. The group was led by Mr. Badjie and Mr. Kujabi of CPA and they monitored the voting processes in those schools selected to take part.

Elections were held at St. Joseph’s ex-Pupil Lower Basic Old Jeshwang, Simon Bolivar LBS, Bakau Upper Basic, Gambia Methodist Academy and Serekunda LBS among others.

Mr. Kujabi, speaking as voting was going on at St. Joseph’s ex-Pupil, expressed delight at the successful conduct of voting at the school. He underscored the need for children to be given much protection and care. He revealed that there were no problems encountered during voting at the school and added that it was the first time the school had taken part in WCPRC.

For her part, Mrs. Hannah Cherry, Headmistress at the school, also expressed similar sentiments. She commended her staff for their cooperation.

In Old Jeshwang Simon Bolivar LBS Madame Elisabeth Ndow, Deputy Headmistress, and Lamin J. Ceesay, schools monitor in the Region One, rated the school as one of the best models around. Deputy Ndow expressed happiness at the fact that her school was participating for the first time. She commended President Jammeh and his government for protecting the rights of children.

She further added that her school will continue to participate and do its best for the development of The Gambia. Madame Ndow finally outlined her personal commitment and dedication to continuing the good work and revealed that there is a huge amount of cooperation between staff members at the school.

Binta Chorr delivered the well-received closing remarks.

In Bakau UBS, Adama Samateh and Fatou Ann all emphasised the importance of voting in their lives as it will provide them with their own rights and safeguard their welfare.

Their Principal, Mrs. Tilda Willan, also expressed gratitude to CPA for their continued support in protecting children against violence, abuse and exploitation. She applauded CPA for their remarkable support and urged them to keep up the good work.

In Serekunda LBS, where lots of entertainment was put on, candidates distributed their manifestos and plans for if they are elected.

Addressing their supporters at the rally in the school the three candidates all promised the electorate that, if voted in, they would strive to improve the welfare of young people.

One of the candidates, Agnes Stevens who stood for the United States, informed supporters that her party is the only party they should vote for, adding that they are synonymous with development.

The results of the vote are yet to be released as few schools have sent their votes to the CPA offices in Bakau.

A one-day workshop on disaster awareness was held recently at the St. Joseph Family Farm Centre in Bwiam Village, Foni Kansala. The St. Joseph Family Farm Centre, under its Emergency Disaster Prevention, Preparation and Response Project in collaboration with Concern Universal organised the training.

The Director of St. Joseph Family Farm, Mr. Michael Badjie, noted the negative impacts of disasters. Mr. Badjie called for effective networking of stakeholders in disaster prevention, preparation and response. Mr. Yankuba Manneh of the St. Joseph Family, on behalf of Mr. Ebou Faye Njie, the Project Coordinator of Concern Universal’s Emergency Prevention, Preparation and Response Project, expressed similar sentiments.

Mr. Buba Darboe, the National Disaster Coordinator of The Gambia Red Cross Society, advised participants to take the training seriously.

The Chief of Foni Bondali, Bakary Demboe Bojang delivered the vote of thanks.