Juniata College Students Donate Sewing Machines and Footballs to Communities

FOROYAA Newspaper

27 May 2011

Students of Juniata College in the United States of America led by Professor Emily Nagengast, who doubles as the Public Relations Manager in USA for Alliance for Democracy in Africa (Gambia chapter), are currently visiting the Gambia.

Mr. Fabakary Badjie, a representative of the Alkalo of Tallinding thanks prof. Nagengast and the students and asked for prayers.

Dr. Madi Touray thanks the students and gave credit to all of them. He emphasized that without them this gathering would not have taken place. He explained how he met the donors and thanks prof. Nagengast for his contribution to ADA programs.

Prof. Nagensast told the beneficiaries at a ceremony at Tallinding that the students are here for three weeks to learn about the Gambia. He said the students are happy to donate these items to the women to help themselves. “What we focus on bringing are footballs and football gears and most importantly Madi says are sewing machines for the women and all these items are donated by these students”, said Prof. Nagengast of Juniata College, leader of the group.

The US visiting college professor said Alliance for Democracy in Africa (ADA) is now an international NGO and they became involved with it and supported some of their programs. He said this year too, they have brought some things for them.

Otto Nagensast, son of Professor Nagengast who spoke on behalf of the students said he was here last year and he played football with students at Sait Maskah School and he saw that they did not put on shoes while playing. “Now that they have shoes, I am scared how they will play this time”, said Otto Nagengast, student from Juniata College, USA.

“It is wonderful to support Dr. Touray and women with sewing machines”, says young Otto Nagengast.

Mrs. Maya Kunta of Tallinding, said their group is involved in a self-help project and what they produce are soap powder, and solid soap, tie dye, batik etc which they sell to the community and beyond. She said the raw materials are imported and that’s what makes the products expensive making it difficult for them to make progress in the business. Maya said they are grateful to Prof. Nagengast and his students for their great contribution.

Aja Anna Ndong of Tobacco road in Banjul, the capital, from a group called Kolareh also thanked the students and said they are happy because the students are empowering them and their families since they are workers. “Next time we will be better prepared and we will display our products to you” said Aja Anna Ndong of Banjul.

Ndong said they have not forgotten Mr. Ali Ceesay who introduced them to ADA but has passed away and so they are praying for him and his children and wish the students good luck to return to their country safely and in peace.

Aji Yama Faal of Brusubi welcomes all the visitors and thanks them for what she calls ‘these wonderful gifts’. She said they are engage in similar programs but they are now exporting their goods abroad. She said like many communities in Gambia, they have difficulty in paying their children’s school fees.

Aji Yama Faal of Brusubi also said they have a football team in their neighborhood for small children in an academy that they are supporting and she invites the group to see how the children practice football.

Mrs. Mayang Sisawo of Fagi Kunda also said they are engage in sewing. She said their group was given two sewing machines by ADA and they have employed two tailors and are making some income from it. “What is important is that when someone is helping you, you too should help yourself”, said Mayang. She said she knows that there are people in the US who also need these gifts but thanks the students for having the foresight and desire to bring it for them instead. She said they are thanking them for that and they too will do everything to make the best use of the donation.

Other speakers like Ms. Renata Uphelders of Germany who helps ADA to train trainers, Mr. Alagie Saho, a Gambian who brings vehicles by driving all the way from Europe, all hailed the students for their wonderful effort to help Gambian women to improve their lives.

Mr. Mang Jatta, Suwaibou Touray, Sana Jatta among many other members of ADA graced the occasion.

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