Catholic Development Office, also known as Caritas Gambia, has donated 290 bicycles to schools in the Lower River Region of The Gambia.
The nonprofit donated the 290 bicycles in partnership with Rotary Ireland to aid Gambian students’ access to education.
Development Diaries understands that Caritas Gambia, which is a development unit of the Catholic Diocese of Banjul, has since 2018 provided more than 1,300 bicycles to support students in the West African nation.
The presentation ceremony, attended by Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) officials and staff of Caritas, was held at the Caritas Gambia office.
Speaking at the ceremony, Director of Caritas Gambia, Franchise Mendy, said that the gesture was to complement government’s efforts and help improve students’ retention and performance in schools.
Mendy expressed optimism that the bicycles would go along way in helping students in their academic pursuit.
For her part, the Vice Chair of Caritas Board of Directors, Dr Sophie Ndow, noted that many students in the country struggle with mobility constraints in their quest to access education, health and recreational facilities.
The donation, she added, would help to save time of traveling to school, improve students’ performance and increase self-esteem.
Following the donation, Caritas Gambia visited Fulabantang to asses the condition of its clinic in the village.
According to the nonprofit, it also visited St. Therese’s School, Fulabantang, to distribute gifts and plant trees in commemoration of #laudatosiweek2021.
Source: Caritas Gambia
Photo sources: Caritas Gambia The Point
