By Awa Macalo
The Gambia Ports Authority recently donated six brand new sewing machines worth over D90.000 to the Organisation for Social Development and Inclusion for Persons with Disability (OSDIVI).
The donation came as a response to the request made by OSDIVI members for the port authority to assist the organisation with sewing equipment that would enhance the centre with modern and useful materials for its users.
Yankuba Manneh, the Gambia Ports Authority’s communications officer, explained his management is aware of how this sector of the community is sometimes marginalised and excluded from some development processes.
“The support that we’ve been providing is to ensure that people with disabilities in The Gambia are not left behind, but are included in the country’s social and economic growth. I am aware that they’re physically challenged, but that doesn’t rule out the possibility, they are not incompetent,” he said.
The OSDIVI representative congratulated the GPA for their excellent gesture, stating that this is not the first time his organization has gotten assistance from Ports. “Ports has been a strong supporter of this group since its inception in 2011, it is always our go-to. I believe there are some PCs here, as far as I recall, the Port Authority backs them up. Not long ago, we requested a compilation for World Disability Day, and they, of course, came to our rescue. We are grateful to you.”
He also urged organizations to lend a helping hand and be prepared to assist them.
