By Olimatou Coker
Gambia Malaysia Students’ Association (GAMSA) has over the weekend donated 68,400 dalasis to a 70-year-old man called Almameh Fofana in Faraba Kairaba.
The donation came following a publication made by Kerr Fatu media some weeks ago about the condition of the Fofana family in Faraba village, West Coast Region.
The Board Members of the Association responded to the publication and took it upon themselves to assist the family.
Speaking during the handing over ceremony, Momodou Musa Joof, Managing Director of West Africa Takaful Insurance, who doubles as a member of the association, said GAMSA is an association that consists of Gambians that studied in Malaysia, some of whom are currently in The Gambia while others are still in Malaysia for their studies.
“The association aims to help Gambians to access education to study in Malaysia and to come together as one people during their time studying and after their studies,” he explained
Yankuba Mamburay, chairman of the association, added: “We came to know about the case of Pa Fofana through a publication made by Kerr Fatu which I thank them for coming up with this video because it’s very important time to time to tell the society about certain situations that people in the society are in. When we saw the video, we shared it among ourselves. We discussed it. Quietly and instantly, people started responding by asking what they could do for this old man and his family. This is how my colleagues and I started pledging to put something together for the family.”
He said even though the money is just a token, they believe it will set a space to bring in more people to assist the old man and his family.
“The amount we came with is not much but as I said, with this little amount, we believe that is a good stepping stone that people can build on,” Mr Mamburay said.
Mr Mamburay called on individuals and philanthropists to chip in with whatever help for the family who are currently in need of assistance.
Alkali Bah, secretary-general of GAMSA, underscored the importance of these donations to them while adding that their aim as an association is to help the needy in society.
Almameh Fofana, the beneficiary, thanked the association for reaching out to him and his family during this difficult time.
“This might look small to you as donors but it’s indeed a very big thing to me and my family as a whole. I thank you all for this laudable gesture, and pray that Almighty Allah bless you all for me,” he said.
Other speakers included Kemo Colley, alkalo of Faraba Kairaba and Alieu Ousman, the Imam.
