By Olimatou Coker
Muslim Aid, a UK-based charity NGO, in collaboration with Africa Relief Response and Development Organisation, ARRDO, over the weekend distributed food packs to needy Muslims in KMC and West Coast Region.
The items were distributed in Bakau Newtown and are said to be worth over 5000 pounds sterling, equivalent to some D32000.
The donated items include rice, sugar, oil and dates.
The Director of ARDDO, Ansumana Dibba, said at the presentation ceremony: “On behalf of Muslim Aid UK, today we have hundred beneficiaries who are receiving and will benefit from these items.
“Muslim Aid UK has been doing this distribution since 2014, and they hope to do more distribution in the country inshallah.”
He said plans are under way to shift the focus of the Aid: “We are working to move away from charity and focus more on development so that we can invest in wealth creation in order to help people in poverty alleviation.”
Mr Dibba said it is important for them to think out of the box in order to bring more sustainable assistance to the people.
“As a Muslim community we need to have a bigger vision as we look to take development forward. We also want to make sure that we have other programmes that will help shape lives.”
The regional Programme Officer of Muslim Aid UK, Ahmad Teladia, gave a brief highlight of the Aid since inception. He said they have been operating in Africa for the last nine years.
“…and ever since we have developed in other countries to help other people in need, Mr Teladia said. “We support families and children in need”.
Other speakers include Kaddy Fadera, a beneficiary. She expresses delight for being donated a food park.
She thanked the donors and said the food packs will go a long way in helping her to feed her family.
