Open Hands The Gambia, a charitable organisation based in the United Kingdom,  Wednesday donated learning materials to ten schools within the Greater Banjul Area at a presentation ceremony held at the Atlantic Hotel in Banjul.

The beneficiary schools are St, Joseph Senior Secondary School, Gambia Methodist Academy, St Augustine’s Senior Secondary School, Charles Fowles Senior Secondary School, Reverend JC. Faye Senior Secondary, Glory Baptist Senior Secondary School, Ndow’s Comprehensive Senior School, Gambia Senior Secondary School, Muslim Senior Secondary School, Charles Jaw Memorial and Garba Jahumpa Upper Basic School.

The donated items included science textbooks, pens and pencils. Oley Camara, who spoke on behalf of the vice president, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy noted that the presentation was made out of a generous gesture. According to her, knowledge is the tree of life as it will improve the capacity of the users. He added that education is the foundation of development. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Sam Forster, chairperson, Open Hands, said science is an important field to study, noting that no nation can progress without the use of science and its benefits.

He added that they are also contributing to promote science in the country.  For her part, Nancy Lewingston, treasurer, Open Hands disclosed that the organisationwas started 30 years ago in the streets of Banjul by a man called Kenneth Njie who is the chairman.  According to her, Njie and his family saw the needs of the children and started providing food, medicine, education and spiritual guidance for many of the young people in The Gambia.

She said that in 2004, Kenneth Njie and Reverend Femi Cold Njie registered the organisation as a charitable organisation in England and Wales. Lewingston noted that since 2004 Open Hands has been dedicated and focused in its determination to help the people of The Gambia mainly through its nutrition programme. "It is with confidence I say that we will continue to support the people of The Gambia in meaningful development," she said. For his part, Kenneth Njie, chairman of the organisation, stated that they supported the students to enable them remain in school.

He disclosed that the organisation provided medical items to Sulayman Junkung Hospital in Bwiam, trained nurses and provided solar for the hospital. He further disclosed that the organisation also provided milk for malnourished children at the children ward at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital. He then informed the gathering that their vision  is to set up cotton industry in Bwiam which will help the women.

For her part, Reverend Femi Cole-Njie, member of the organisation stated that they have love for The Gambia and it is through Open Hands The Gambia that this love is being expressed. According to her, it is in a modest way that they offer these gifts from the love of God to their nation. "It is our prayer that the knowledge gained from these books will result in transforming people and communities for greater participation in the development of our nation all to the glory of God," she prayed. Other speakers included Dawda Jones, the public relations officer of Banjul City Council and Dr Henry DR Carrol, legal practitioner.