Brufut Marathon Run Association, with the support of the Friends of The Gambia UK and Taf Holding company Ltd, recently conducted a cleaning exercise at the Brufut Health Centre. As the theme for this year’s run is; “Run For A Clean Nation” the BMRA called on the villagers and the Brikama Area Council to join hands and help clean the health centre. A large crowd attended the exercise among them Lucky Sisters, Ajusco Family,Kayon Kalorn,Diamond Sisters,KankantaGarden women, Mz Thea Mom representing the Holland Foundation and Brikama Area Council. After breakfast, provided by the BMRA, the work started in earnest and finished five hours later when the entire place was cleaned. Speaking at the end of the cleaning, Miss Fatoumata Balajo, marketing officer BMRA, commended all the groups and the Brikama Area Council for doing the work. She told the council that the food, dustbins and the truck they provided greatly helped the success of the cleaning. She reminded the gathering that her association has taken up the challenge this year to run for a clean nation and this exercise is part of the activities that will culminate in the actual run slated the 6th of December 2008 at BrufutLowerBasicSchool.

Miss Balajo finally concluded by asking for support from all and sundry in order to make this year’s run a success as anything realised from the run will be used to help in education and health. .

Mrs. lsatou Dampha Jatta, the nurse in charge of the clinic, spoke about the benefits of a clean environment to health. She urged the all stakeholders to carry on cleaning environments since that will prevent certain illnesses from affecting society.

Mrs Marie joof and Mr. Abass Manneh, of the health centre and the Village Development Committee (VDC) respectively, thanked the BMRA for a job well done and told the villagers to always get involved in cleaning exercises of this nature.

Mr. Lamin Conteh, the assistant cleansing manager of Brikama Area Council,, expressed his appreciation to the organisers and informed them that the council will always be willing to collaborate with them in their efforts. According to him, waste is a byproduct of human activities and so therefore its effective management and control is the business of everybody. He thanked the head of the village and the groups for the selfless service they rendered to the clinic, “which is the surest way to achieve our collective aim of a waste free nation “he remarked. Other speakers included Mrs. Mabintou Sanneh, Miss Oumie Jabbi and Mrs Susan Jatta who all hailed the efforts of the Brufut Marathon Run Association for what they called an excellent initiative.