SEATTLE GAMBIA ASSOCIATION
DONATES TO HIV CAUSE IN THE GAMBIA
The Seattle Gambia
Association has followed through to its commitment to donate to the Santa
Yallah Society in
Banjul part of the proceeds from The Jaliba
Kuyateh and the Kumareh band show which was held in Seattle Washington on July 15, and 16th 2006.
As part of it’s commitment to
help fight against the spread of the deadly HIV/AIDS disease that is
ravaging the African continent, the Seattle Association held a grand show
with the famous Gambian Kora legendary Jaliba Kujateh to raise funds and
also bring awareness of this deadly disease to our younger generation.
The Presentation of the
fifteen hundred dollar $1,500.00 donation was held in Banjul on January 15, 2007 at the Vice
President’s office. Present at the presentation was the Vice
President Isatou Njie Saidy, Director of National Aids Secretariats Mr.
Saihou Ceesay, Madam Rose Claire Charcle United Nations Volunteer,
Deputy permanent secretary at the ministry of Health, Jaliba Kuyateh and
Mr. Lamin Camara the Kumareh Band Manager, Mr. Moro Baldeh Businessman,
and Mr. Saihou Jammeh. Also present were the President of Santa Yallah
Society Mr. Lamin Moko Ceesay, the project manager Mr. Baba Jammeh and
the accountant Mr. Lamin Ceesay among others.
In his key note
address, the Director National Aids Secretariat Mr. Saihou Ceesay expressed
his gratitude to this timely intervention by the Seattle Association. Mr.
Jaliba Kuyateh a renowned Kora musician in handing over the donation to the
Vice President and representatives of Santa Yallah said their role as artist
is not limited to entertainment, but also to join fundraising activities to
help the needy. He added that since he has been honored as the honorary
father of the Santa Yallah support society, he is ready to help the support
society in raising funds at any time.
Mr. Kuyateh took
the opportunity to appeal to the authorities for a duty waver for the
Gambia bound container full
of hospital equipment donated by the Seattle Gambia Association to help
equip his ward at Bansang Hospital which was named after him. It
could be recalled that Bansang Hospital named a Children’s ward after the
renowned Kora Musician and also 2006 UNICEF DESIGNATE AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE.
Mr. Kuyateh appeals to citizens of the Gambia and friends of the Gambia to help
support the operation of this historic ward.
The President of
Santa Yallah Support group Mr. Lamin Moko Ceesay On behalf of the Executive,
Management, and members of Santa Yallah Society also conveyed his heart-fell
appreciation for the timely gesture which was received at a time when one of
Santa Yallah’s projects has almost faced out due to lack of funds. Mr.
Ceesay reassures the delegation that the funds will be put to good use to
educate the community on the threat of HIV/AIDS in the Gambia.
Mr. Ceesay went on to appeal to other organization both within and outside
of the
Gambia to emulate good gestures of
The Seattle Gambia association; saying it’s the second time within 2 years
which really demonstrate their love for their country.
Mr. Morro Baldeh a renowned businessman
thanks the Seattle Gambia Association for their incredible contributions to
their home country and said the association is always ready to help their
fellow citizens back home. Deputizing the Secretary of state for health the
DPS Mr. Tall used the occasion to applaud the effort of the Seattle
Association and promised that they will provide a duty waver for those
medical items due to arrived.
In closing the
ceremony, Her Excellency Madam Vice President Isatou Njie Saidy thank the
association for their unflinching support and urges other organizations in
the Diaspora to emulate this patriotic move. She therefore appeals to SYSS
to kindly put the money into good use which will encourage the donors and
others for more funding.
The President of the Seattle Association Mr. Lamin P. F Manneh expressed his
gratitude to members of his organization and called on all Gambians in Seattle to unite and join
the association in its efforts to help the Gambian people. “There is no
place like home” said Mr. Manneh, a community and Pan African Activist.
Other noticeable contributors are Mr. Saidy Ceesay the Social Secretary;
Mrs. Alta Daeul the Secretary and pioneer of the donations, Mr. Lamin
Marenah Chair person of the equipment collection committee and Mr. Demba
Baldeh the Public Relation Officer who also thank the members of the
association and local donors like The University Of Washington Medical
Center, Swedish Medical Center, The Denali Family Business, Mr. Joseph
Jassey and the Jassey group who donated computers to the association. These
computers were earlier shipped to the St. Theresa’s
Junior
Secondary School in
Kanifing.
Special Thanks to all members
of the association and the Seattle Community at large for their generous
support during the Jaliba Show in Seattle. Without their patronage this
donation would not have been possible. Thank you Seattle….
