The Orphan and Families Committee of Qatar, through their sister partners the Umul Qura Foundation in the Gambia on Sunday the 21 September 2008, handed over food  basket valued over) fifty thousand dalasi (D50,000.00 ) to two hundred and five orphans   (205 )  , male and female at the Umul Qura Foundation head office Faji Kunda, the Gambia.

This Programme is only possible with the support of the Sheikh Eid Bin Muhammad Al-Thani, a charitable foundation in the gulf state of Qatar This charitable foundation which is based in Qatar, provide maintenance for  children who lost their male parents, ultimately who’s bringing up is left with a single parent (mother). The foundation on a yearly basis gives some money to the Umul Qura foundation for on ward transmission to the beneficiaries. This year an amount of D50, 000 is given for the welfare of the children.

I n a handing over ceremony at the foundation’s office, Mr. Sheikh Ousman.Jah, one of the committee members of the Umul Qura Foundation told the children, each of who was accompanied by their mothers, that  a sum of fifty thousand dalasi is allocated for them as food basket. In the basket he said are e dates, rice, juice, cooking oil, and other food items. Jah told both the children and their mothers that it is the responsibility of the surviving parents to take good care of the children they are left with. But in most cases this is not an easy task and that is why his organization in partnership with the Orphans and Families committee in Qatar are providing this token. He hopes the items will be put into best use.

The children were informed that some monies were approved for the provision of school uniforms, and bags. This they were told will arrive in two weeks times. The parents were also informed that NUR Den Islamic School, which also serves as head office of the foundation, has started registration of new in takes, and that those who intend to get their kids register can do so.

Sohna Mariama Jobe, who is one of the single parents, whose children like others benefits from the food basket, told the authorities that on behalf of the others, she is thanking the providers. She also extends greetings to the providers of this food basket.

She expressed joy , that though they have lost the fathers of their children, but such organizations , like the Orphan and Families Committee, and the Umul Qura Foundation, really made them happy and forget the  hardship they under went soon after the death of their husbands. She prays that Allah reward the people behind these great organizations.

 Alhagie Mustapha Cham, the President of the Umul Qura Foundation chaired the occasion, whilst the school director Shirkh Jogan, handed the food basket to the beneficiaries.