The Gambia has a high population of 63,000 orphans, the causes of which are due to several factors ranging from poverty and other preventable diseases, like HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria. Reliable reports indicated that 44 million in 34 developing countries are likely to lose a parent in the next years to come thus leaving them to become orphans.

Ummul Qura Foundation a charitable organization started its operations some 14 years ago in the Gambia. As   part of its activities of sponsoring orphans, the Ummul Qura Foundation for Islamic Studies and Research began its second Islamic studies course on August the 2^nd 2008 at its headquarters in Faji kunda in the KMC municipality. A total of 150 orphans are participating in a one month long summer classes.

 This shows that apart from helping the orphans with clothing and money they are also into offering some other form of social services by educating the orphans, said Abubacarr Mohammed Loum chairman of the occasion and vice president of the project.

Speaking at the start of the course Sheikh Mohammed Jonga the course director   indicated that the course is sponsored by the orphans committee of Sheikh Eid Bin Muhammad Al-Thani Charity Association, a charitable organization, based in the Gulf state of Qatar. He said a similar course is done in sixteen other countries in Africa, Asia and Europe simultaneously, and 27 Islamic organizations of which his organization is one of them are conducting the courses. A total of up 3700 orphans altogether are benefiting from such a course worldwide .Jonga told the gathering.

The President of the Foundation Alhagie Mustapha Cham said the foundation is currently sporting 205 orphans. This number rose over the last 14 years from 35 orphans to 205 today. He informed the meeting that, they still have more than 200 applicants who are yet to be sponsored.  Cham said we are not only in the business of giving out hand out but also trying to educate these orphans in their religion.

Ms Fanta Sisay director of Social Welfare who is also the guest speaker inform the gathering that The Gambia has up to 63,000 orphans. She implore the foundation to do more in also sensitizing the donors who are only concern with children whose father are dead but the ones whose mother’s too die need assistance. She calls on the religious leaders and elders of our communities to help in preaching our children to have respect for our religion and cultures as our homes are getting out of orders.

Other speakers included The President of the Gambia Supreme Islamic council Alhagie Cherno banding Drammeh and his vice Dr. Jah, all of who call for discipline and respect for our culture and religion.

                                                                                                        Mariama Ceesay