A multi-thousand Dalasi project was on Sunday inaugurated at Marakisa village in the Western Region.

The project sponsored by Music Art Sport Advice Health and Information (MASAHI), and African Development and Progress (ADAP) was facilitated by Uplifment for African Gambia (ULFOGAM). These are joint non-governmental organisations based in the United Kingdom (UK) and their membership comprise only black British nationals, whose aim is to reconnect themselves as African in the diaspora to African communities.

The 19-man delegation is currently in The Gambia for a two-week visit, which will give them the opportunity to reconnect to their roots, culture and heritage.

Speaking at the project site in Marakisa, Ray Olumide Sontan, Executive Director, Masahi Solutions Network International, said the project will focus mainly on contributing to socio-economic development, youth empowerment and will also provide training, advice, information and guidance, health, education and sports.

He added that ADAP is another organisation working with Masaahi and is also based in the UK , and intends to bring in professional doctors, nurses, social workers and youth workers from the UK as volunteers to train Gambian youths.

Mr Sontan noted that the project, when completed in a few months time, will create job opportunities, hold workshops and create avenues for young people to learn skills like batik, drum-making and drama.

Speaking to this reporter on the relevance of the project and its activities, Mr Monto Pah, Managing Director, African Development and Progress, said the first phase which amounts to $10,000, is expected to finish in 2008, adding that it will also sponsor some needy and poor students and will also help the poor who cannot afford to meet the cost of computer training. He noted that they will also help to implement facilities to help teachers to do their work easily.

For Hon. Abdou FHS Jarju, National Assemlbly Member for Kombo, the initiative is unique and he welcomed the project implementors and then called on other Africans in the diaspora to emulate the same.

He recalled that during the Atlantic trade, our parents were forcefully and unwillingly taken away by the West. He assured them of the government's commitment to national development under the leadership of President Jammeh.

He urged the youths to rally behind any development agenda that will bring positive things for the country.

Other members who spoke to this reporter included Digga Harris, Mariama Bah, the hostess and Aroa Sanyang.