The Gambia Scout Association (GSA) in Western Region on Tuesday laid the
foundation stone for a new skill centre in Sanyang village. The project was sponsored by the Canadian Scout Association.

In his opening remarks at the ceremony, Lamin Cham said that the ceremony marks a mile stone in the history of Western Region Scout Association. He added that, the land on which the skills centre is to be established was allocated to them by the Village Development Committee in Sanyang in recognition of their valuable contribution and voluntary assistance rendered to the community. He said that, scout is not for fun making, but to develop the potentials of the youths in the country Salifu Tamba, Scout Divisional Commissioner, said for the first time in their history, the Scout Association of Western Region is having their own land for their camping and official works and most especially for the development of youths in Western Region. Mr. Tamba explain that, the project is divided into three face, namely, the fencing of the land and the building of a store and toilets, the building of structures for the skills centre and to provide the materials for the skill centre.

Joko Sonko on helhaf of the Village Development Committee (VDC) in Sanyang, encouraged the community of Sanyang to continue nurturing love and understanding among themselves and continue their hard work in transforming their dreams of developing the community. For his part, Yaya Bojang, on behalf of the Alkalo of Sanyang, thanked the Canadian Scout for their valuable support for the development of the community. He described it as a great boost for the people of Sanyang. Pa Omar Bojang, Scout Project Leader in The Gambia, who also represented The Gambia Scout Association at the Euro Jam in England, said he did not only represent the interest of the Gambia at the Euro Jam but Africa at large.

He thanked the Canadian's for giving them more than Seventeen thousand Canadian dollars for the building of a skills centre which is a project propose by the Canadian. He then noted that, this project is meant to contribute to The Gambia government's effort under the leadership of President Yaya AJJ Jammeh for national development. "The skills centre will offer training on tie and dye, building and fabricating welding and fishing", he said. Abdou SM Badjie, Governor of Western Region, deputising for the Chief Scout of the Gambia, President Yahya Jammeh, commended the Scout Association of Western Region for the valuable contribution rendered to the community. Governor Badjie expressed his believed that every Gambian is cognisant of the Gambia government's efforts in nation building. He further expressed hope that, the skill centre will produce well equipped Gambians to develop their own country.

Governor Badjie then reaffirmed his commitment in monitoring and rendering the requisitic support needed for the success of the project. Mary Louis, Canadian Project Leader, thanked the community of Sanyang for making them feel at home, noting that, the Canadian Scout team will continue to support the community of Sanyang. Momodou Lamin Sambou, President of the Gambia Scout Council Master, said learning skill will make the young people to be self reliance and will help to reduce the burden of unemployment. He said scouting develops young people to actively participate in national development. He then observed that the project will go a long way in helping the young people of The Gambia.