By: Dawda M Jallow
In a gesture of solidarity, the STARUP Foundation from the Canary Islands, Spain, has donated essential items to support Gambian communities, schools, and orphanages.
The donated items were given out during a handing-over ceremony held at the Bakau Fire Station on Wednesday.
Chief Fire Officer Sang Colley Ndow welcomed dignitaries and stakeholders, including representatives from the Spanish Embassy in The Gambia, the Ministry of Gender, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Nutrition Agency (NANA), and the Directorate of Children’s Services. The ceremony also saw the presence of local sports teams set to benefit from new kits and equipment.
Violeta Insa Sandoval, representing the Spanish Embassy, highlighted that the donations reflect the ongoing solidarity of the Spanish people and Gambians. “This campaign focuses on families and children across The Gambia. It will support six orphanages and NANA, providing food to address malnutrition. Thousands of children will receive bicycles, improving access to education, and sports items will encourage youth engagement and healthy living,” she said.
Sonja Arup, President of the STARUP Foundation, explained that the initiative was the culmination of more than ten months of collection and organization across the Canary Islands. The 12th shipment, a 40-foot container, included school materials, clothing, food packages, furniture, and sports equipment, amounting to over €3.5 million in donations. Beneficiaries include SOS Children’s Village Bakoteh, Second Home, Dawa Centre, Sinchu Orphanage, and Nema Su Care Home.
“More than 50 percent of these items are new,” Arup said, emphasizing the collaboration between the STARUP Foundation, Canary Island firefighters, the Gambian Fire and Rescue Service, local associations, and corporate partners. She also introduced Gofio La Piña, a high-nutritional, chemical-free product produced in the Canary Islands, which will provide energy-rich food packages for children and vulnerable adults.
Hon. Bakary Badjie, Minister of Youth and Sports, expressed gratitude to the STARUP Foundation and its partners, noting the inclusion of football kits for local teams, including champions of the GFF Female League One and community-based clubs. He described the initiative as a vital supplement to government support, enhancing the lives of young people and vulnerable communities across the country.
The event highlighted the strong partnership between Spain, the Canary Islands, and The Gambia, demonstrating how international cooperation and local engagement can improve education, nutrition, sports, and social welfare for thousands of Gambians.