Dr Ann Goddard, the global president of the Christian Children’s Fund (CCF) International, is currently in the country on a weeklong working visit.

The visit of the CCF boss, according to officials, aims at making a personal exploration of the activities and projects undertaken by the CCF national office and its affiliated programme areas.

Dr Goddard is also expected to visit the CCF national office in Senegal, before proceeding to other African countries.

In her meeting with the Kombo East Youth and Children Development Association (KEYCDA) and Kaira Nyining CCF Federation (KNF), last Thursday, at Kuloro Village, Kombo East, Dr Goddard said that the youth form the cadre in all development processes.

She expressed a thrill of joy about KEYCDA’s activities in preparing the young people of the district on child protection and youth empowerment issues. According to her, CCF wants to learn more about the needs of young people around the globe. She cited child trafficking as a horrific phenomenon, and put the youths to task in curbing the menace.

Alhagie Basiru Jarju, the chief of Kombo East, commended the CCF president for her visit, noting that Kaira Nyining Federation, since its inception, in collaboration with KEYCDA, has made great impact on the lives of the young people of his district.

Ousman Cham, CCF regional director for West and Central Africa said, “CCF is operating in thirty countries worldwide.” He added that all the CCF youth consultative meetings aim at is ensuring that its strategic choices are well exposed to the youths. Cham then commended KEYCDA and the people of Kombo East for their unity and urged them to be proactive in taking up the responsibilities bestowed on them by the people. He further disclosed that CCF is looking for funding for a regional youth network, which would give young people of different nationalities the opportunity to integrate and solve their problems together.

Mr Ebrima Sanneh, federation manager, Kaira Nyining CCF Federation in Kombo East, described the CCF president’s visit as symbolic, saying that it demonstrates the deep and selfless interest she and the entire CCF family have in the progress of the people, particularly the youth and children who, he said, are the bedrock of the country. According to Mr Sanneh, as a result of the assistance rendered by CCF, children, families and communities now have access to quality education, health care services, adequate and safe drinking water, improved housing conditions and increased employment as well as a host of income generating opportunities. “These have in no small measure impacted positively in reducing the severity of their poverty rate,” he added.

He then thanked Dr Goddard and her delegation for their visit to the Gambia. He also thanked the CCF Gambia national office for its continuous support to his federation, and the Gambia government for creating the enabling environment for CCF’s operations.

Presenting a report on behalf of Kombo East Youth and Children Development Association (KEYCDA), Omar Cham, the vice-chairperson of Kombo East Children Committee, mentioned numerous achievements registered by KEYCDA over the years, amongst which are the annual youth and children empowerment forum, record updating for Kaira Nyining Federation, letter writing training for the young people and summer classes for children.

He thanked the CCF top president for her visit and conveyed to her KEYDA’s preparedness to actively participate in the liberation of young people in The Gambia and beyond.

The ceremony was also attended by Mr Eustace Cassel, the national director of CCF Gambia, Momodou Jallow, the CCF area manager for Kombo East and Central, and Mr Falie Baldeh, the CCF national director in Liberia, and other important dignitaries.
 
Dr Goddard was accompanied by a high-ranking delegation from the United States, including Dr Sintia Brias, the director of CCF International Communications.