Side by Side Organisation – The Gambia (SBSO) and the Child Protection Alliance (CPA) have strengthened their existing longstanding partnership with commitment to further collaborate in child rights and protection endeavours.

The two institutions made the commitment Friday when the senior management committee of the Bakau-based youth organisation (SBSO) visited the offices of CPA where they held a fruitful meeting with the national coordinator, Njundu Drammeh.

The Child Protection Alliance has had a longstanding relationship with the Side by Side Organisation-The Gambia, a national youth organisation operating in three administrative regions in the country. Since inception on March 4th 2005, SBSO has and continues to receive support from the CPA in the form of capacity building and sensitisation workshops.

Their Friday visit was also meant to thank CPA for helping the organisation at a time when things were difficult for them as well as to renew their partnership especially at this point in time when SBSO has crafted and launched its three-year strategic plan 2012-2014.  

Speaking at the meeting, the SBSO national coordinator, Hatab Fadera, thanked the CPA for the incessantsupport it has rendered to his organisation.

Fadera, also a sub-editor at the Daily Observer recalled that CPA was among the first institutions to support SBSO formerly the United Youth Association way back in 2005 when they just took off, noting that that help has assisted the organisation laid a strong foundation in their journey to achieving their mission and vision. He assured of his organisation’s readiness to work on the modalities to become a member of the Child Protection Alliance.

The Administration and Finance officer of SBSO, Yankuba Senghore, informed the CPA boss that their organisation has already crafted its three-year strategic plan, which he said has outlined the need for the strengthening of the existing partnerships and creation of new ones, with a view to enabling them successfully implement the activities and programmes enshrined in the three-year blueprint.

He therefore noted that their visit was in line with those recommendations given that the CPA is a key partner to the SBSO, citing its assistance over the years. He reiterated that Side by Side Organisation is very committed and ready to work hand in gloves with CPA, particularly in the area of child protection and reproductive rights, which also affects young people.

“Children need to know more about their rights but this can be done successfully if we partner with CPA,” he stated, adding that capacity building on child rights among others will be very paramount.

He informed the CPA boss that SBSO has registered numerous achievements since formation in 2005, adding that they were able to establish three chapters in three administrative regions and has also succeeded in changing from a community-based to a national youth organisation with a strong membership both at the national and school levels.

The SBSO No.3 then assured the CPA national coordinator of their commitment to implement all the programmes enshrined in their three-year strategic plan document to the letter.

Similar sentiments were expressed by the programme officer and the information, communication and education officer of the SBSO, Aminata Ceesay, and Sama Baldeh respectively.

Responding after listening keenly to the SBSO officials, the CPA’s Njundu Drammeh said he was very grateful for the courtesy call, and he was quick to indicate his impression about SBSO for the great work they have been doing.

“I think it takes a lot of commitment, courage to take up some key issues affecting children in our societies considering the environment and socio-cultural issues. Often young people feel unaffected or not interested in them,” he stated, thus commending SBSO for the foresight.

Drammeh indicated that it has always been his argument that they don’t need the whole community or country to bring about change but that they just need a group of committed people who understand what they want, committed and courageous of their conviction. He noted that SBSO and members are part of that small group of committed people, while encouraging them to keep up the good work.

Drammeh told the visiting SBSO members that CPA and their oragnisation have the same aim and vision of bringing about quality change in the lives of the children. He assured of CPA’s collaboration and partnership for the betterment of the children who are the leaders of tomorrow.

Drammeh encouraged the organisation to become member of CPA, which is a coalition of different organisations and institutions, noting that there are lots of benefits in terms of capacity building among others.