Mariam Williams
Big Dreams, in collaboration with Crutches 4 Africa, recently extended a helping hand to Gambians, with the provision of mobility devices amounting to over 1000 thousand of dollars.
The Items donated to differently-abled persons, hospitals and the Ministry of Health and Department of Social Welfare, included 40 wheelchairs, 845 walkers, 1,045 crutches, 380 canes,38 rollators, 349 orthotics, 2 orthotic lifting aids, and one box of wheelchair footrests.
The largesse is meant to enable the differently-abled move about and take care of their daily errands with dignity and respect.
Big Dreams Incorporated[BDI], is an innovative, creative, and cutting edge 501(c)(3) organization that is committed to creating educational opportunities for children and youth in the United States and the Republic of Gambia to live a healthier lifestyle, thus contributing to an improved quality of life for youth and families.
The Columbus, Georgia-based charity is a US-based Gambian from Nuimi Sika, Mr. Mamina Ebrahim Sonko and Madam Dominiquera Cherif-Sonko, with their children in 2011.
After numerous visits to The Gambia, as Mansa Banko gathered, they felt the need to assist vulnerable children in the rural part of The Gambia by helping them achieve quality education, and also provide them with fun physical activities, health care as well as to empower the youths.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at GOVI Head office in Kanifing, Dr. Ya Fatou B.M Jobe, President of Big Dreams, explained that followed Big Dreams free medical relief mission to The Gambia last year, in which they served over 3500 people in various villages, they came to realize that most patients needed mobility devices to ease their movement but could not afford it.
The benefactor, Mr. Sonko, in justifying the provisions of the items, indicated that during his organization’s free medical relief mission they saw grown up people being picked up {carried} and consequently, his organisation felt the need to support these Gambians with such materials, when they returned to United States.
The BDI founder thanked Crutches 4 Africa for donating the materials to his organisation.
Representing the Ministry of Health and Department of Social Welfare, Mr. Gabu Jarjue, commended Big Dreams for the generosity, stating that both The Gambia and differently-abled persons are going through a phase.
He intimated that Big Dreams and Crutches 4 Africa’s intervention is helping government to fulfill its mandate.
Jarjue assured donors that the items would be given to the right people.
