The Ummul Qura Foundation on Sunday the 31 August 2008 certificated 150 orphans. Who took part in a month long training during the summer holidays. The training took place at the Foundation’s school grounds at Latrikunda Sabiji. These 150 are among 205 orphans that the Foundation is sponsoring.

Delivering his speech on the occasion Sheikh Tjan Jonga, who is the course director, told parents that the month long Programme is only possible with the support of the Sheikh Eid Bin Muhammad Al-Thani, a charitable foundation in the gulf state of Qatar.

The course director inform the gathering that this year’s course took a different format, apart from the normal classes , in which children were taught the quran, and other teachings of the Islam, these  students also had conferences with some very knowledgeable people . Our President of the Ummul Qura Foundation and Dr. Mohammed Jah were among such facilitators.

Alhagie Mustapha Cham, president of the Foundation commended the sponsors in Qatar, and said if it were not their support; the training would not have taken place. He promised that his foundation shall never stop assisting the orphans;   they at the foundation are only following the teachings of the prophet.

Isatou Jammeh, who deputized for the director of Social Welfare department, Fanta Sisay said for them at the social welfare department, for them at the department, the welfare of the children, particularly the less fortunate ones, like the orphans who have lost one of their parents is their big concern. She talked about the extended family system which she said has a very important social factor and links, therefore we should stick to it

This is a system where the uncle can step in for a father or a nephew can equally do so for a brother. The gaps are easily filled. She said this is an important link but is now fading away.

She stress the need to assist other children whom she said also needed help. Isatou said the word is chaining and a lot more of things are changed equally. She said the number of vulnerable children and orphans are on the increased which posses a great concern to her government. She calls on the private sector and NGOs to put in their hands together in order to control this situation.

She reminded the gathering that orphans are to be taken care off, since prophet Muhammad himself was an orphan and other people took care of him.

The occasion was graced by the presence of the Imam Ratib of the Gambia, Alhagie Alieu Mass Kah who delivered the opening prayers. Certificates were given to 10 top students of the course. The top 10 was a female Mam Jara Muhammed Jah. Lectures and sponsors were also given certificates of appreciation.