By Sariba Manneh
‘Foundation 221’, an international organisation based in Senegal, recently inaugurated eight boreholes in various communities across the West Coast Region, to address the issues of water shortage. The inauguration ceremony witnessed the handing over of the boreholes to communities, to take ownership and responsibility of the facilities that seek to provide them clean water supply.
‘Foundation 221’ was incorporated in 2022 and its vision is to contribute to the transformation and sustainable development of Gambia’s communities through holistic and humanitarian means.
Muhammed I.B. Marong, the PRO of the foundation, said their objective is to create an opportunity for youth empowerment and community development in the Gambia, by providing clean water solutions, educational programs, food / clothing distribution and health care programmes.
According to him, the overall objective of the foundation is to provide relief aid and community development projects and programmes to complement the Gambia Government’s efforts towards national development. The PRO said the villages where ‘Foundation 221’ has sunk boreholes, include Sanyang, Kartong, Jiborro Kuta, Jiborro Amdalai, Sukuta Nema, Jambur and Mandinaba, and added that others are on various stages of planning.
In his inaugural speech, Buba Sanyang, the operations manager of ‘Foundation 221’ explained that the foundation started operations in the country since 2022.
“Before these eight boreholes, we drilled fifteen boreholes in West Coast Region. You cannot live without water, and that is why we are working hard to make sure we get a lot of projects for water, because it is a popular social demand,” he explained.
Mr Sanyang also highlighted his foundation’s achievements in providing food for the country’s muslim Ummah during the Holy month of Ramadan, as well as clothing for orphans during Koriteh and Tobaski feasts. He further said that they also assist less privileged students with learning materials. He cited many of their challenges some of which is that communities are not taking good care of their boreholes when handed over to them, and that thieves also steal some of the borehole machines in certain communities.
The Alkalos, Ward Councilors and women leaders in many beneficiary communities, expressed joy with celebrations, to grace the occasion.
