The Gambia Health Education Liaison Project (GambiaHELP), a non-profit making organisation based in Washington DC, United States of America, on Thursday, presented medical items to the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital, at a ceremony held at the hospital’s conference room in Banjul.

The items which included wheelchair, crutches, walkers, and 50 cartons of assorted medical items were handed over to Kujah Jah, RVTH development officer, for onward transmission to the hospital management.

Speaking at the ceremony, Shelby Tarutis, director, GambiaHELP, said her organisation provides educational opportunities, medical supplies, books, computers, money as well as human resources to Gambian communities. She noted that GambiaHELP does not only aim at providing gifts, but also to assist Gambians in their efforts to build a sustainable and developed economy.

According to Tarutis, her organisation has, over the last ten years, been very productive in the provision of goods and support projects to all the regions across the country, adding that such an initiative is meant to complement government’s efforts especially in the health sector.

“Each year, we ship a container of items to The Gambia from our donors in the USA. Usually it contains items such as books, school supplies, educational materials, clothing, among others” she explained.

Baboucarr Ngum,  public relations officer of RVTH, thanked Mrs Shulby Tarutis and the entire membership of the organisation for their tireless efforts in complementing government efforts in national development. He assured the gathering that the items will be put into good use.

GambiaHELP is a small organisation initiated by Shulby Tarutis, a former peace corp volunteer at Niamina Dankunku, whose funding is obtained through individuals, small organisations, Rotary Clubs and children who wants to establish links with children in The Gambia.