By Nelson Manneh
Two Gambian children returned home on Monday after spending nineteen months in Germany receiving critical medical treatment for conditions that could not be adequately treated in The Gambia. The successful reunions were facilitated by Project Aid the Gambia, a local organization that collaborates with international partners to provide lifesaving care for young patients.
Aisha Kanteh and Abdoulie Fadera, both under the age of twelve, were accompanied back to The Gambia by a team of German doctors and a social worker after their recovery from serious illnesses. The children were initially transferred to Germany nearly two years ago under a medical philanthropy program aimed at addressing complex health cases beyond the capacity of local facilities.
Saskia Kosi, a German social worker involved in the accompaniment, described the children’s journey. “They endured years of debilitating illness in The Gambia,” she said. “During their time in Germany, they underwent extensive medical tests and surgeries. After months of treatment and care provided by our philanthropic partners, they have fully recovered and are now ready to return home.”
Project Aid the Gambia has operated this overseas treatment initiative since 2012 in partnership with Peace Village International. Charles Mbye, the local chairperson, highlighted the program’s impact. “For more than a decade, we have supported children under twelve with illnesses that cannot be treated locally,” he said. “The government alone cannot address these needs, so we work to connect families with organisations that can provide the necessary care abroad.”
Mr. Mbye clarified that Project Aid does not actively scout for patients but rather disseminates information and links families to partners who conduct assessments and facilitate treatment abroad.
