VZW De Gambia Vrienden, a charitable organisation based in Belgium, on Thursday, made a donation ranging from garden materials, computers, blackboards, toys and second hand clothing to its Gambian counterpart association, Jam-Belg of Jambanjelly village in the Kombo South. The donation seeks to consolidate efforts in empowering the youth and children to meet their basic needs, as well as exposing them to the technological advancement of the world.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the coordinator of Jam-Belg The Gambia, Ousman Darboe, said since the establishment of the link between the two associations, the Belgians have sponsored over 45 students in  the education sector. He noted that Jam-Belg, through the assistance of its Belgian friends, has opened an internet cafe and a library which is now benefiting youth and children in the area.
He then thanked the donors for their goodwill gesture and called on the people of Jambanjelly to embrace the initiative in the interest of development.

For his part, Patrick De Vos, president of VZW DE GambiaVrienden, gave an account of his association’s activities in the country which, he said, started with the sponsoring of few children but has now been increased to 54 children.
He pegged the value of materials donated at over D500,000 (five hundred thousand Dalasis) and urged the beneficiaries to be steadfast and not let the program fail.

Faba Jammeh, secretary of Jam-Belg, thanked the donors for their gesture and promised that the materials would be put to good use.
Sally Bojang, on behalf of the mothers of the sponsored children, thanked the donors. The ceremony was characterised by cultural songs and a display by the women of the village.