By Amadou M Jadama
The Gambia Red Cross Society, Kanifing Municipality Red Cross Branch with their counterparts Senegal Red Cross Society, Dakar Red Cross Branch, has recently begun their International Summer Camp underway at the Gambia Hotel School in Kanifing.
Three hundred participants drawn from Senegal and The Gambia are expected to grace the camp which aims to create awareness and introduce the participants to different skill works.
It is also meant to promote international integration between GRCS KM and SRCS Dakar and inculcate discipline, attitude and responsible behaviors in the young people and to explore the participants to places of importance.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Mohammadou Kabir Cham, GRCS, said the two Red Cross branches “have already paved the way for closer cooperation. Our two national Societies worked into International informal cooperation since 1985. We have series of agreements since that time. The last was in 2010; both our national societies committed themselves to review the 2010 draft cooperation agreement with a view to finalizing it.”
“Our two sister national societies will strengthen the foundation for efficient and effective collaboration within the scope of the bilateral cooperation in the sub region,” he added.
Babucarr Sow, president of Senegal Red Cross Society explained that the camp started many years ago. “It stopped in 1995 due to lack of finance.
“We started this year and we want to continue with the event and next year we will celebrate it in Senegal,” he said.
He extolled the Gambia Red Cross Society for their hospitality, adding that The Gambia and Senegal are one nation and one people.
He called on the two societies to maintain the relationship.
In her solidarity message, goodwill Ambassador of Dakar Red Cross Audrey Gardner, asserted: “As we know, the earth is one but the world is not surprising. We all depend and need each other no matter what part of the world we live in.
“Even through in our community, each country, strives for survival and prosperity with little regard for its impact on others. There are many that consume the earth’s resources at a rate that would leave little for future generations. It is time for us to come together as a people and. My heart is Africa.”
Modou Lamin Badgie who deputized Mayor Yankuba Colley, said: “This gathering of such importance manifests the unity, partnership and cordial relationship that exists between the two national societies. Therefore it is worth commending such a laudable initiative to bring young and energetic people under the same platform for 10 days to share good practices, experience and strengthen capacities.”
