Gail Howell, a Canadian and a regular visitor to The Gambia, accompanied by Alhagie Sowe on Saturday, 29th December presented a cash donation of D49,055 (fourty nine thousans and fifty five Dalasis ) to the Gunjur Development Association (GDA).

Photo: Gail Howell and Alhagie Sowe presenting the cash donation to GDA ground team

The money was presented to the GDA ground team at the offices of the association in Gunjur. Gail Howell once worked in a maternity ward in the Gambia, and during one of those times, she witnessed a new mother losing a baby. That experience motivated her to continue to help women in Africa especially new mothers. Gail, who is currently on holidays in Gambia will also be working with Bunama Jatta at the Breakfast for the sick at Gunjur Health Centre for two days, where she will help prepare and bear the cost of breakfast for the sick for those two days. Gail was accompanied by Alhagie Sowe, a Gambian based in Canada who introduced her to the work of GDA in the community of Gunjur. GunjurOnline understands that Gail was encouraged by the steadfastness of GDA, and how they put community work at the forefront of their activities, she is confident GDA will use the money for the intended purpose hence GDA being her choice for the receipt of the donation. Receiving the money on behalf of GDA, Omar Diamond Darboe who is GDA local Treasurer thanked the donor for her kind gesture and assured her that the money would be utilised as intended. Reacting to the huge cash donation, Ahmed Manjang has this to say: “I will first of all thank Alagie Sowe and family for introducing Gail to us. This cash donation will go a long way in improving health facilities at Gunjur Health Centre, especially the maternity ward. On behalf of GDA and entire Gunjur community, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Gail and her whole family. We hope that this donation will mark the beginning of a mutual relationship between GDA, Alhagie Sowe and family and Gail.” For his part, the GDA diaspora President Ousman Manjang said of the donation: “The donated cash is timely as it further complement the GDA's developmental vision. "Donors don’t give to institutions. They invest in ideas and people in whom they believe." Therefore, in this case, our donor believes in the GDA and the GDA vision for a healthier and better Community. We are appreciative and thankful of the kind gesture.”