Red Cross gives to schools in Fatoto

The Gambia Red Cross Society recently presented one hundred solar lamps through URR Regional Red Cross to Fatoto Junior and Senior Secondary Schools and Fatoto Lower Basic School respectively at a presentation ceremony held at Fatoto in Kantora District, Upper River Region URR.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Mamadou Bah, secretary general of the Gambia Red Cross Society, revealed that, the project is among the biggest projects Red Cross has ever undertaken. He noted that, if the project is successful, his organisation will be encouraged to enter into partnership with the government to make it more effective. "This is a pilot project meant  to examine its effectiveness in disaster management," he said.

He reminded the beneficiary students that Red Cross will closely monitor their academic performances and urged them to work hard.For his part, Demba Bah, the principal of Fatoto Junior and Senior Secondary Schools thanked Red Cross for the gesture.He noted that, most of the fire disasters in the region  were caused by candles.
 
According to him, the gesture will go a long way in reducing disasters. He gave the assurance that the lamps will be put into good use.For her part, Aja Tida Jabbi, the head teacher of Fatoto Lower Basic School, acknowledged that, the gesture will no doubt improve the student standard of  learning. She also expressed optimism that the solar lamps will contribute a lot in the drive towards disaster risk reduction.

For his part, Dawda Sankareh, regional Red Cross officer in URR, underscored the significance of the solar lamps. According to him, if handled properly, they can be used for a period of time. He urged students to make best use of the lamps by working hard during the night.  He also informed the beneficiary students that their academic performances will from now on be monitored.
 
As part of the visit, The Gambia Red Cross also gave bags of groundnut seeds to disaster victims in Fatoto.Mamadou Bah, secretary general, The Gambia Red Cross Society, said that his organisation only helps those who really deserve it. According to him, Red Cross  gives out materials of high-quality to its beneficiaries so that they can derive maximum benefit from it.For his part, Ebou Lowe, agriculture assistant in Fatoto called on the beneficiaries to use the groundnut seeds for its intended purpose of cultivation.