By Fatou Dahaba
Bundung Ka Kunda woke to a brighter dawn as philanthropist Momodou Turo Darboe, Chief Executive Officer of the Vision Development Foundation, officially inaugurated 60 solar-powered streetlights valued at over D200,000. The Saturday evening ceremony at Bundung Ka Kunda Primary School marked the successful completion of a community-driven initiative that has transformed dark alleys into safe, illuminated pathways.
The project, executed in partnership with the Benna Bundung Development Association (BBDA), directly addresses long-standing security concerns in the sprawling settlement. Residents have repeatedly expressed concerns about crime and accidents during nighttime hours, particularly during the rainy season when darkness falls early and roads become treacherous.
Speaking under the glow of the newly installed lights, Darboe commended BBDA for “electrifying their own future” and urged residents to preserve the unity that Bundung is renowned for. “No politician should ever divide us,” he declared. “Bundung has always stood as one – let us keep it that way.”
The journey began months ago when Darboe seeded the initiative with D100,000, enabling the installation of the first 30 lights. Encouraged by glowing community feedback and BBDA’s transparent progress reports, the philanthropist doubled his commitment with an additional D100,000, bringing the total investment beyond D200,000 and extending coverage to previously unlit areas.
National Assembly Member Sulayman Jammeh described the donation as “timely and transformative.” He thanked Darboe on behalf of his constituents and warned beneficiaries to safeguard the infrastructure for future generations. “These lights are not just bulbs – they are lifelines,” Jammeh stressed.
Former Banjul Mayor Kebba Jallow, a proud son of Bundung, gave iron-clad assurances that every dalasi would serve its intended purpose. “Brother Turo, your money is safe with us. Every light you see here tonight is proof of that trust,” he told the cheering crowd.
BBDA Secretary General Lamin Sanneh delivered an emotional tribute that drew thunderous applause. “These lights are safe for our mothers staying home alone. They are confident that our children are burning the midnight oil for exams or hustling to put bread on the table. They are protection against crime, fear, and despair,” Sanneh proclaimed. “They are hope shining across our streets, reminding us that real development starts right here at home. When a community loves its role, it loves its future – and that future becomes unstoppable.”
Sanneh issued a direct appeal to Bundung’s youth: “Guard these lights like you guard your dreams. They belong to you.”
Established to foster ethnic harmony and mobilise local resources, BBDA has emerged as a model of grassroots organisation. Saturday’s event reinforced its reputation as a unifying force rather than another politicised entity.
Yet amid the celebration, speakers did not shy away from pressing needs. Several voices, including those of youth representatives, have renewed calls for urgent intervention at Bundung Ka Kunda Primary School, where dozens of pupils still sit on bare planks due to a severe shortage of furniture.
As families walked home beneath the new constellation of solar lights, one elderly woman summed up the evening: “For the first time in years, I’m not afraid of the dark.”
With Darboe promising further support pending impact reviews, Bundung’s night sky – and its future – now shines undeniably brighter.
