By Mariam Williams
Noor Aid is UK registered charity based in Manchester with the primary aim of helping the poor and needy in Africa and Asia.
The charity runs an office in Wellingara, Kombo North in the West Coast Region of The Gambia, and much of its work is concentrated in The Gambia.
The Aid recently doled out some food items and different equipment to the poor and needy Gambians across West Coast Region, at aceremony held at Abuko.
The distributed items, said to worth over D1.2 million, included seventy-five (75) wheelbarrows, twenty(20) sewing machines, ten (10) welding machines, forty (40) large mattresses,seven hundred (700) 25kg bags of rice, vegetable oils, and bags of sugar.
Noor Aid’s project achievements in the country during the past 17 years, included the construction of four hundred and fifty (450) wells; borehole; Madrasa classrooms; and mosques, seven (7) of which are currently under construction, in different communities. The Charity is also supporting 500 widows in the Gambia.
Mr.Hashim Bharucha, Director of Noor Aid in UK, speaking at the presentation ceremony recalled that, on their first visit to The Gambia in 2002, they witnessed a large Muslim population without even the basic essential needs, inter alia water, electricity, shelter for their home and adequate food to eat. He explained that the situation had inspired them to help the needy people and establish Noor Aid.
Director Hashim, therefore encouraged the beneficiaries to always remember to pray for the people who provided the distributed items, so that Almighty Allah would continue to bless, and help them, to do more for the poor and the needy.
The National Assembly Member for Latrikunda, Hon. Saikou Marong,thanked Noor Aid for the largesse, while assuring the organization of their continuous support in enabling Noor Aid’s humanitarian works.
He believed the equipment which also formed part of the distributed items, would help to enhance skills work; noting Noor Aid is complementing the efforts of the government.
For his part, Mr. Ousman Darboe, SG of Noor Aid-Gambia informed that, between 7th and 12th December, Noor Aid would distribute additional 2000 or more bags of rice to the needy in different locations across the country.
He told the audience the distributed wheelbarrows, sewing and welding machines, among other equipment, are meant for the income generating activities of the beneficiaries. Darboe added that during the course of the five days distribution of items, the Aid would also give cash money to support 500 widows in different venues.
The Noor Aid Gambia official also elaborated on some of their past assistance to the needy people and communities in the Gambia. These, SG recollected, include construction of water wells, food and money distribution, as over D6m was distributed to poor and needy people in different communities across the country, during the 2019 Ramadan.
Other speakers included Mr. Essa Darboe, Director of Amana, and Ousman Jammeh, Country Director of Noor Aid.
