Muslims Hands-The Gambia donates over D700,000 worth of foodstuffs to orphans

By Sulayman Waan

In a bid to support orphans and their families during the Holy Month of Ramadan, Muslim Hands-The Gambia in partnership with Muslim Hand- United Kingdom (UK) has donated D794,750 worth of foodstuffs to orphans at Lamin Kambodia and Giboro Kuta in West Coast Region (WCR).

The donated items included bags of rice, iris potatoes, sachets of milk powder, dates, among others. Each orphan was given a bag of rice with a sealed bag containing the above-mentioned food items.

The presentation of the foodstuffs was held at Giboro Kuta in the Kombo East, WCR, and Lamin Kambodia in Kombo North District, WCR on 19th and 20th March 2025.

In his presentation remarks Ousman Jammeh, country director of Muslim Hands-The Gambia said the humanitarian organization understands that several Gambians particularly the orphan struggle to make ends meet.

“Therefore, we deemed it necessary to provide these foodstuffs to them so that they are food secure during the Holy Month of Ramadan,” he said.

He said the project focuses on orphans and disables with their families so that they also feel comfortable during the holy month. “That is one of the fundamental reasons for supporting them.”

“We are supporting over one hundred people in Lamin Kambodia and its satellite communities as well as Giboro Kuta with foodstuffs.”

“We have several food items to support these people and their families. We have given 53 parcels to 53 beneficiaries in Giboro Kuta and we distributed over hundred parcels to orphans in Lamin Kambodia,” he noted.

The gestures, he said would immensely help the beneficiaries to get the needed feeding during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

“Muslim Hands- The Gambia supports the orphans because we understand that these children lost their fathers or mothers and we knew the chance of them getting sufficient food during the Holy Month is very slim,” he further said.

He justified that in Gambian society, mostly the fathers are breadwinners and if he dies the family will find it difficult to put food on the table. “Therefore, if that person passed away there is a problem in the family. Now, Muslim Hands-The Gambia is supporting them so that they do not feel neglected.”

“The love that the father would have given to his children now Muslim Hands is giving that so that they do not have that much feeling that their fathers are not alive,” he explained.

However, Mr. Jammeh advised the mothers to take good care of the foodstuffs to ensure the orphans are well-fed.

He commended Muslim Hands-UK for supporting Muslim Hands-The Gambia in its humanitarian services. He said the effort of Muslim Hands-UK has been recognized and appreciated.

“The beneficiaries (orphans) are continually praying for them (donor-partners) in the UK,” he said.

Mariama Darboe, a mother of three orphans expressed delight for receiving the foodstuffs. She said the gesture will go a long way in helping her to feed the orphans, especially during this Holy Month of Ramadan.

“These food items are so much beneficial to us. It would help me to feed my children.”

“We cannot pay Muslim Hands and only Almighty Allah can reward them,” she said.

The widow prayed for Almighty Allah to bestow His blessings on Muslims Hands and its UK partners.

Khaddy Sanyang, widow who accompanied her orphans said: “These food items will help us a lot in getting food during this Holy Month of Ramadan.”

She prayed that Almighty Allah bless the donors and replace their gifts with plenty of resources.

SW/COB/20/03/25