The Gambia Social Development Fund (SDF) last Tuesday disbursed D1,007,805 worth of loans to eight community skill groups in the Western Region at a presentation ceremony held at the Western Region Community Development Center in Brikama.

The disbursement was part of the Community Skill Improvement Project of the Social Development Fund, with total beneficiaries of 114 women and 35 men.

The beneficiary groups include Saforai Women Kafo of Bajagar, Foni Bintang, Karanbeng CSIP Literacy Group of Foni Bajana, Development for Women and Girl Child in Brikama and the Tailors Association, also in Brikama.

Amie Jallow-Jatta, SDF regional fund officer, in her keynote address, said the loan is meant for the trained groups under the Community Improvement Project. She said that donor groups were capacitated through numerous trainings such as business enterprise development and loan management.

Mrs Jallow-Jatta further reminded beneficiaries that the loan given to them is to be paid back within one year, with a three-month grace period.  She urged them to pay the loans on time, which will create the possibility for others to also benefit.

Presenting the cheques to the various groups, Lamin Sanneh, governor of Western Region, urged the beneficiaries to wisely utilise the loans in order to avoid any inconveniences in paying them back.
Mama Janneh, Western Region community development officer, chaired the ceremony.