The United States Ambassador to The Gambia, Ambassador Barry L Wells, on Thursday visited the office of the Disabled Foundation in Banjul.

The American plenipotentiary’s was on a visit to inspect the production of wheelchairs funded through the Special Self-help Project of the embassy. The whole project is estimated to cost D150, 000. In delivering his welcoming remarks, Opesan Gabriel Kenny, the executive director of the Foundation for the Disabled People, described the gesture as a true demonstration of the embassy’s closeness to people at grassroots level. He then noted that the gesture will go a long way in ameliorating the situation of people with disabilities in having access to mobility and skilled training.  He also added that the project will specially support the disabled persons in Brikama.

He further revealed to the ambassador that an office has already been opened in Brikama and will provide rehabilitation services. The intention of the foundation, he reiterated, is to open rehabilitation service in all the five region so as to reach the grassroots. According to the executive director, twenty locally produced wheelchairs were made through the funding.

For his part, Ambassador Barry LWells seized the opportunity to emphasise the respect his country has for disabled persons. He said the disabled persons need to be given job opportunities in order to be productive citizens who will contribute to the socio-economic development of their country. He described the Foundation as important in any given community, as it supports the disabled persons to realize their dreams. He assured them of his office’s support.