Inauguration Ceremonies for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects in the Gambia

Four ceremonies were held with the presence of Mrs. Akiko Takano, the First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, so as to celebrate the completion of Grass-Roots Human Security Projects in the Gambia on January 16th and 17th, 2013. The inaugurated projects are “the Project for Construction of Mango Processing Training Centre”, “the Project for the Gambia Red Cross Society Community Ambulance Services”, “the Project for Improvement of Agricultural Environment” and “the Project for the construction of SOS Children’s Village Bakoteh Multi-Purpose Centre.”

“The Project for Construction of Mango Processing Training Centre”

Through “the Project for Construction of Mango Processing Training Centre (58,637 EUR, approximately 2.3 million dalasi at the rate of 2008)”, Japan funded the construction of a mango processing centre with technical equipments in Brikama, 35km south of the capital Banjul, together with Methodist Mission Agricultural Programme, a local NGO which tirelessly has been working for the improvement of quality of life of local community since its foundation in 1974. The newly opened centre enables farmers in Brikama, most of whom live in poverty, to learn the food processing techniques and eventually to increase their household income which leads them to a better quality of life. In addition, this centre is expected to increase the amount of the supply of mango products in the neighboring regions, where malnutrition is considered as one of the biggest problems. Approximately 20,000 people will benefit from this project, both directly and indirectly.

“The Project for the Gambia Red Cross Society Community Ambulance Services”

Despite its recent improvement of the emergency medical transfer service, the Gambia still faces some problems. Many lives are being lost due to traffic accidents or sudden health problems, many of which are assumed to have been able to be saved with an appropriate first-aid treatment. Given this situation, Japan donated two ambulances which are equivalent to 66,503 EUR (approximately 2.4 million dalasi at the rate of 2008) to the Gambia Red Cross Society, one of the Gambia’s leading organizations in the public health sector, as a part of “the Project for the Gambia Red Cross Society Community Ambulance Services.” These ambulances already started to be widely used in the newly-established 24-hour rescue system of the Gambia Red Cross Society to save many lives in Banjul and its surrounding regions where 350,000 people lives.

“The Project for Improvement of Agricultural Environment”

One of the major problems of the food security of the Gambia is its low self-sufficiency ratio, as well as the high food price caused by it. Despite the fact that more than 80% of the Gambians are farmers, the country is repeatedly threatened by food insecurity. In order to tackle this vicious circle, the NGOs “Concern Universal” and “The Gambia is Good” are promoting the consumption of locally grown crops, aiming the income generation of poor farmers and the stabilization of food supply. 4 green houses and 2 trucks, equivalent to 70,804 EUR (2.5million dalasi at the rate of 2009), were donated through this project, which will enable Concern Universal and the Gambia is Good to transport crops produced by 1,000 households who live in a vulnerable environment of North Bank Region, as well as to provide 1,000 farmers with agricultural trainings and some advanced techniques.

“The Project for the construction of SOS Children’s Village Bakoteh Multi-Purpose Centre”

SOS Children’s Village, a shelter in Bakoteh area of the capital Banjul, provides orphans, abandoned children and children from vulnerable families with home. Such a shelter plays a very important role as the children in difficult conditions tend to have a lower nutritional level, a lower school enrollment rate and a higher risk to become victims of sexual abuses than average. In order to provide a better life to these children, The Government of Japan provided funds to construct a multi-purpose centre of 47,951 EUR (1.8 million dalasi at the rate of 2009). Not only that the children at the SOS Children’s Village now have the access to facilities including study rooms and a library in the centre, 38,000 residents of Bakoteh and surrounding neighborhoods can use this newly established facility so as to receive literacy education and vocational trainings.

Each ceremony was filled with variety of participants, from the head of organizations to higher officials from ministries, from children to elderly neighbors, who were all excited to witness the joyful moments of inauguration. The guests made warm speeches, representing the Gambian people who appreciate Japan’s continuous development assistance. The local media also gathered, reporting that a new chapter in the history between the Gambia and Japan has started.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. TAKANO gave a speech in front of the inaugurated Mango Processing　Centre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the donated ambulances to the Gambia Red Cross Society

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. TAKANO and ceremony guests visited one of the green houses provided to NGO’s “Concern Universal” and “The Gambia is good” where the farmers are going to receive agricultural trainings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. TAKANO receiving the gift from one of the children who lives at SOS Children’s Village.