Join Hands, Gambian citizens association based in the UK, in collaboration with Opportunity Gambia, an association also based in the UK, on Wednesday, launched a D5 million nursery and lower basic school project at Tawoto Village in Kombo North District, Western Region.

Speaking at the ceremony, Margaret Medland, a retired assistant youth officer in Kent, UK, said the concept of the project was initiated three years ago when she visited The Gambia and was approached by the Alkalo of Tawuto, Mr George Gomez.

According to her, a fruitful discussion with the Alkalo gave birth to the project. She advised the villagers to take ownership of the project by working hard in its implementation.

She then informed the gathering that the project is now sponsoring 65 students in various schools in The Gambia.

In a brief speech, Nigel Crocker, head of Opportunity Gambia, noted that the project is aimed at alleviating poverty in the area by bring education to the doorsteps of the beneficiaries.

For his part, Adama Cham, NAM for Kombo North Constituency, expressed delight with the intervention of Opportunity Gambia in his constituency and thanked them for investing in education.

Hon Cham assured the donors that the gesture will remain in the minds of the people of Tawuto and Kombo North as a whole.

He then urged the people of Tawuto to take a firm stand and take ownership of the project .

Marie Madlin Gamez, the project director and treasurer of Join Hands, said the commitment of Gambians in the UK to the cause is second to none. She then called on the people ot Tawuto to close ranks in the interest of development.

Ebrimas Jadama., local coordinator of the project, called for more collaborative efforts, noting that the project can only be theirs (villagers) provided they take ownership of it.

Paul Victor Mendy, chairman of Tawuto Village Development Committee, commended the sponsors for the goodwill gesture, on behalf of the Alkalo. He urged the villagers to ensure that the project is successful.