By: Mariama Njie
Mr. Lang Dibba, a former student of Nustrat Senior Secondary School has donated 1,100 Bicycles for the children of Gambia within the five Regions.
Dibba, who is now based in US has sent to bikes through Nustrat Senior Secondary School to distribute them among the regions.
150 bicycles will be given to Region two, 125 bicycles will be given Region five Central River Region, 100 will be given to Region 4 Lower River Region, 125 will be given to Region 6 Upper River Region and 125 will be given to North Bank Region.
Mr. Karamo Bojang, Principal of Nustrat Senior Secondary School said Nustrat was one of the lucky schools to receive these bicycles on behalf of the children of the Gambia.
He explained that these bicycles belong to the children of the Gambia all over the six regions.
Bojang commended that Ministry of Basic and Secondary education for their support in making sure they received the bikes.
Musa Mendy, retired civil servant pointed out that these bicycles are meant for school going girls within the five regions, which will help to reduce the barrier of travel.
“We have notice the impediments faced by girls in accessing their schools and on time, especially those within the provincial areas and we believe with this gesture as a starter, it will at least assist in tackling the problems the face,” he said.
Mendy explained that, because of the Donors love and enthusiasm for the Gambia, one of his project called ‘’million Books for Africa’’ which will have geared towards providing support to the whole continent at large.
He commended the Nusrat staff and the whole Nustrat School Student for supporting, understanding and taking up the responsibility of providing safe keeping for these bicycles.
Adama Jimbeh Jobe, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Basic and Secondary Education noted that the challenges that children are facing in the rural areas to travel to school particularly the girl child.
“The girls face lot of challenging when coming to school, distant usually those in the afternoon shift, that’s why we decided that the 1,100 bicycles will be share mainly to girls travelling from long distant to school”, he revealed.
He explained these bicycles are not for any other purpose but for school, each student will be given a responsibility because at the end of their academic years, the bikes should be return back to the school for other young children coming.