By Madi S. Njie
In fulfillment of one of Islam’s obligation, the Vision Development Foundation (VDF) continued its annual Ramadan charity donation by distributing 3,100 bags of sugar to needy communities in The Gambia.
The distribution took place on Wednesday 5 March, and targeted areas within the Kanifing Municipality, West Coast Region and Banjul, with community representatives from Latrikunda, Jeshwang, Bakau, Lamin, and other localities receiving the gifts.
In previous comments when responding to skeptics, VDF’s CEO Momodou Turo Darboe emphasised that the initiative was inspired by the teachings of his late father, who advised him to offer Ramadan gifts to the less fortunate. The gifts are being distributed to support the needy during Ramadan, a time when charity is especially encouraged in Islam.
Mr. Saihou Fofana, VDF’s Public Relations Officer highlighted the foundation’s commitment to the fulfillment of one of Islam’s obligations of giving alms to the needy, especially during the Holy month of Ramadan, by ensuring that the donated items reach those in need. He called on facilitators to ensure that the donated items are distributed to all the targeted beneficiaries.
Community leaders, including Alkalolus and Ward Council representatives, expressed their gratitude for the generosity by VDF CEO Mr Momodou Turo Darboe, promising that the items would be distributed fairly to the target beneficiaries.
The initiative reflects the Islamic value of Sadaqa, which emphasises the importance of giving charity during Ramadan, to cleanse wealth and support those in need. The initiative also fulfills one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which is Zakat (alms), to those in need.
Beneficiary communities were represented by Ward Councilors and community members from Latrikunda, Jeshwang, Bakau, the Sports Committee of Banjul, Lamin Village Elders Committee, among others.
This generosity is being done in line with Islamic Religious obligations to maintain the spirit of sharing and caring, especially during Ramadan, by giving alms to the needy.
Responding to critics in the past years, VDF CEO Momodou Turo Darboe said the gesture is an emulation of his late father who advised him to be offering Ramadan gifts to needy communities during Ramadans.
During the presentation ceremony held at the VDF Office in Churchill’s Town in Serrekunda, Saihou Fofana, the Vision Development Foundation’s Public Relations Officer (VDF), said that the initiative was to answer to the call of their CEO, Mr Momodou Turo Darboe’s annual Ramadan gifts to needy communities. “Today we have Lamin Elders Committee coming to collect the Ramadan gifts offered them. We understand that the Lamin Elders Committee has existed a long time ago, and has been engaged in national development activities. That is why we invited them today, to come and benefit from the VFD Ramadan gifts. We believe that our relationship with the Lamin Elders Community will continue to grow from strength to strength, and yield benefits in the near future,” he said.
Mr. Fofana, among others, acknowledged and expressed appreciation for receiving such a high profile delegation from the communities of Lamin, comprising highly respectable community members, led by the Lamin Alkalo, the VDC Chairperson and Secretary, among other respectable elders.
He said that Mr. Momodou Turo Darboe instructed him to give 300 bags of sugar to the Lamin community.
“The objective is that the donated items reach the target beneficiaries such as the less privileged in Lamin Community who find it difficult to afford sugar during Ramadan. We welcome everyone on board, to come and take your share, and this operation will be conducted throughout the Ramadan. The only advice we have is that if you collect on behalf of the needy, please distribute it to the needy,” he said.
The Alkalo of Lamin Village expressed gratitude for the gesture, as he reflected on their long-standing relationship with VDF, which the gesture will further strengthen.
“We turn up today to show our longstanding friendly relationship,” he said, adding that his dedicated team of delegation will ensure the proper distribution of the donated items to the target beneficiaries.
Jammeh Bojang, from Lamin village and former GFF Secretary General, echoed similar remarks. He expressed gratitude to VDF for the gesture, assuring that the donated items will be distributed accordingly.
Other speakers include Ward Councilors Lamin K. Jammeh of Bakoteh, Baba Jabbi of Fajikunda, Lamin Dibba of Old Bakau; Habib ML Ceesay of New Jewswang; and Alhagie Sosseh Colley, Bakau Mamakoto elders community member; Ya Fatou Lowe, Banjul Sports Committees representative; Malang Kujabi, Latrikunda Sabiji Alkalo and Lamin Moro Jatta, the Alkalo of Busumbala. They expressed gratitude to VDF and Momodou Turo Darboe for their generosity and prayed for the continued success of the organisation.
President of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council (GSIC) Alhagie Essa Darboe has called on wealthy individuals to emulate the philanthropic gesture of the CEO of the Vision Development Foundation (VDF), who is renowned for his annual Ramadan initiatives, which provide essential items to needy Muslims in the country.
“We thank Mr. Momodou Turo Darboe for inviting us yearly to collect Ramadan sugar and we pray to Allah for his continued success,” he said.
He prayed for the continuity of VDF’s support to the needy, especially during Ramadan.
These efforts have been the cornerstone of VDF’s work, reflecting a tradition of supporting the less privileged communities during Ramadan.
Darboe’s VDF started the distribution of 4,100 ten kilogram bags of sugar and other essentials to underprivileged households in the Greater Banjul Areas last Friday, March 7, 2025, at the VDF’s Office in Churchill’s Town, in Serrekunda, to ease the economic hardships of Muslims during Ramadan. This generosity from the VDF has brought them immense gratitude from community leaders and beneficiaries who view Mr. Darboe as a role model in philanthropy.
The VFD was set up many years ago to nurture the spirit of sharing and caring.
