By Yero S. Bah
Mr. Lamin Ceesay is a native of Wellingara-Ba village in Jarra East District of Lower River Region (LRR), and the coordinator of the Red Cross Link in his village.
Joining the Red Cross society, he told us, was inspired by the greatest humanitarian Sir Henry Dunant, the founding father of the global humanitarian movement.
[It could be refreshed that Henry Dunant, a Swiss humanitarian (8 May 1828–30 October 1910), founded the Red Cross-now Red Cross and Red Crescent- and the World Alliance of Young Men’s Christian Associations. Also known as Henri Dunant, he’s an iconic humanitarian, businessman and social activist. In 1901, he was honoured with the “first Nobel Peace Prize” together with Frédéric Passy, making Dunant the first Swiss Nobel laureate, as records have it.]
Meanwhile in a telephone interview with Mansa Banko Online, Ceesay did not hide his displeasure with some Gambians who still doubt the existence of the deadly coronavirus disease (Covid) pandemic that continues to negatively affect all facets of life, globally.
According to him, the link in Wellingara-Ba monitors the pupils of the village’s primary school; they render humanitarian services to the needy in the area as well as monitor the environment and food ration of the school.
However, the village Red Cross coordinator expressed concerns over the “denial mentality” of some Gambians regarding the existence of the coronavirus in the Gambia, especially in rural areas.
“I am not happy with the people’s behaviours towards the global bug,” Ceesay intimated. The young humanitarian worker believes Gambians need to redouble their efforts in fighting the pandemic, stating it’s deadly but preventable as well. But he charged that prevention could only happen if people follow guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and that of the Ministry of the Health of The Gambia.
He said their Link has established connection with other Red Cross Links around the area such as Darsilami and Bureng Sateeba villages, as he held the importance of the presence of the Red Cross Link in that part of the country as immeasurable. He acknowledged that the Link is the only primary healthcare provider in the school, saying they address minor injuries and sensitize students on heath-related matters as early as possible for the kids to become health conscious.
Ceesay again: “With covid-19, we make sure students adhere to the safety regulations put up by government like enforced wearing of face masks and frequent hand washing as well as temperatures checking of all students.
“The link also enlightens the community as we emphasize on the dangers of the coronavirus pandemic whenever we bankroll community outreaches.”
The Red Cross Link volunteer used this medium to remind Gambian youth that the “coronavirus is real and it is not politics”, whilst imploring Gambians to respect all the safety guidelines, notably regular hand-washing with soap and running water, observing social and physical distancing, the wearing of face masks, and avoiding handshaking as encouraged by health professionals.
