By Musa Ndow
The President Barrow Youth for National Development (PBYND) has started implementing 120 projects within six months in different communities across the country.
This was disclosed by the secretary general of the organization, Kebba Lang Fofana while handing over a completed perimeter fencing project of New Yundum women’s horticultural garden recently.
According to him, two months ago the developmental unit at the President Barrow Youth for National Development visited the beneficiary community for a need assessment. “So when we arrived at this village, we realized that they have a very good land for gardening but the area was not protected. So we felt the need to come and support the over 500 women that are benefiting from the garden. I thank God we were able to secure funds to fence the perimeter of the garden. This was contracted and today the area has been fully fenced, protected and we are doing the handing over of the property back to the community,” said SG Fofana.
According to him, the aims and objectives of the organization is to foster social cohesion, integration and national development. “The main reason we believe like we have to foster integration, you look at the Gambia today is kind of divided and no meaningful development can take place if that cream of society is being eroded away,” he said.
He continued: “So expectations are to have a united Gambia and that is why the mission statement of this organization is ‘A Gambia for all’. This is what we are propagating. This is what we envisage at the end of the day. And as I said, protecting this garden will improve the socio-economic status of these women and again it is going to be a defensive mechanism for them against animal intrusion.”
“We are inviting everybody because when we initiated this organization, we knocked at the doors of all wiling Gambians to come in and support. Presently we have philanthropists both within and outside of this country who are really supporting us,” he added
Ansu Singhateh, the President of the organization spoke on the importance of the project. He said it is very important because it was like a dream come true for the beneficiaries.
“We decided to give them this project among the so many projects that we are going to give to the communities because they’ve long been yearning for it,” he said, while calling on the women of the Gambia to continue with their hard work.
The alkalo of New Yundum, Mr. Ousman Bojang hailed President Barrow Youth for National Development for supporting women of his village. He said for forty years they have been yearning for support in this particular garden. The alkalo used the occasion also to pray for the wellbeing of its members.
Faye Manneh, New Yundum Village Development Committee focal point person for agriculture suggested a name change for the organization. According to him, the name should be changed to President Barrow Youth for Peace and National Development, considering the important role being played by the organization.
Speaking on behalf of the women beneficiaries, Naffie Manneh commended President Barrow Youth for National Development for giving them a project they cherished so much. She used the occasion to urge the organization to also provide them with Boreholes.
Dodou Sanno, Board member of President Barrow Youth for National Development urged the beneficiary community to utilize the project wisely for its sustainability.
“We are not a political party and our projects are not based on politics but to complement the development efforts of the government.”
The handing over ceremony was characterized by signing of a memorandum of understanding between the organization and the beneficiaries who took turns to heap praise on the donors for coming to their aid.
