UK based charity organisation donates 345 bicycles Gambian Schools

Jole Riders Foundation Bicycle Donation

A United Kingdom based charity organisation, Jole Riders Foundation, recently donated 345 bicycles to nine schools in The Gambia. The presentation ceremony was held at Gunjur Village, Kombo South District of the West Coast Region.

The beneficiary schools are: Chargel Basic Cycle School, Bantanto Lower Basic School, Karantaba Upper Basic School in CRR, Darsilameh Basic Cycle School, Suduwol Basic Cycle School in URR, Khalid Bun Walid Islamic Basic, St Andrew Lower Basic School and Kitty Upper Basic School in the WCR.

Presenting the bicycles, the director of Programme of Jole Riders Foundation, Fabakary Boyo Touray, disclosed that the Foundation started its philanthropic work since 2006. He said the donation is meant to complement government's efforts in making education accessible to all Gambians.

Mamoudou Keita, who deputised for the governor of West Coast Region, thanked the donors for the gesture, saying the provision of the bikes will go a long way in improving not only education but also retain students in the beneficiary schools.
The National Assembly member for Kombo South, Hon Abdou Colley, informed the gathering that The Gambia has attained the objectives of the 'Education For All' (EFA) project, adding that the government is making gigantic efforts to take education to higher heights. He said President Yahya Jammeh is committed to the development of the nation, and that the government is aware of the support the Foundation is giving to the country's education sector. Hon. Colley assured that they will continue to give their support to the Foundation and urged the beneficiaries to take good care of the bicycles.

Kebba Fatty, who spoke on behalf of the regional education director for Region II, hailed the donors for the gesture, saying that it will go a long way in addressing the problems that is being faced by the students in the rural areas. He advised the principals of the recipient schools to give the bicycles to the students who need them most. He also stressed that bicycles are meant for the students and not the community.

For his part, the deputy British high commissioner, George Sherriff, said the Jole Riders Foundation aims to improve access to education by breaking down the barrier through the provision of means to enable students get to school and on time. He commended the Jole Riders Foundation for working in partnership with the local communities so as to meet their need.

High Commissioner George Sherriff also acknowledged that the UK and The Gambia have a longstanding history and strong cultural and family connections that continue to bind the two countries. The chief of Kombo South, Alhaji Mustapha Touray, while commending the Foundation for the move, also urged the beneficiaries and parents to ensure that the bicycles are well handled and maintained.