Future In Our Hands The Gambia (FIOHTG), an organization that aims to bring education closer to vulnerable communities and strengthen their capacity to fight poverty has recently facilitated the donation of an assortment of items at neonatal unit at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, Bundung Maternal and Child Hospital, St. James LBS in Kitty, Westfield Clinic and Bwiam Health Center and the remaining items to be sent to Bansang Hospital and persons with disabilities.
The donated items include 24 neonatal pampers, shoes and clothes.
The materials were donated by Fatumah Freeman, a retired nursing sister based in Sweden on behalf of the NGO The Health Watchers Association.
According to the officials at the hospital, the donated items will be judiciously used. They expressed gratitude to the donor and FIOHTG for the kind gesture.
The Health Watchers Association since its formation has supported Gambians in myriad of areas notably, in the area of education, clothing and health care, she has also rendered a helping hand in sponsoring some less privilege Gambians students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree at The University of the Gambia.
“The health watcher’s association is an independent, non-profit organization that has been in the business of sponsoring education and health project among the less privilege particularly for women and children. Since 2012, we have created a nation drive that provides much needed items for disadvantaged children in rural communities,” Freeman stated.
She pointed out that she came to the Gambia in 1983 as a volunteer nurse to work at the Children’s ward at EFSTH. She explained: “There I felt in love with the Gambia, the Gambian people and already I decided that I will continue to live in the country to focus my efforts on children, women and the maternity ward,”
She stated that the Gambia is recognized as a success country in education with an attendance rate that surpasses the sub-Saharan average, however the majority of schools are underdeveloped by the international standards. These, she said need assistance as it is imperative for young students to become academically competitive in an increasingly technological world.
Due to their commitment and consistence in supporting Healthcare and Education in The Gambia, FIOHTG is proud to collaborate with the Health Watchers Association.