By: Sainabou Sambou
The Isatou Welfare Funds marked a significant milestone on Tuesday by officially launching its foundation at the Nursing School in Banjul. The event, coinciding with a heartfelt Iftar distribution to nursing students during Ramadan, celebrated over two decades of dedicated charitable work now formalized under a structured organization.
Vice President of the Isatou Welfare Foundation, Isatou Dumbuya, delivered an inspiring address highlighting the remarkable journey of the foundation’s founder, Isatou Ceesay. Born in 1976 in Old Jeshwang to parents Bunama Ceesay and Yassin Sarr, Ceesay’s path began modestly at Old Jeshwang Primary School. She was part of the inaugural cohort at SOS Technical High School to sit for the WAEC (GCE) exams. Her pursuit of education continued at the Gambia Technical Training Institute, where she studied administration, paving the way for advanced studies at Leicester College in the United Kingdom, earning higher diplomas in business administration.
After spending time in the UK and later the United States following her marriage, Ceesay returned to The Gambia. There, she built a successful entrepreneurial career while committing deeply to philanthropy. Inspired by her father’s selfless service to Old Jeshwang and surrounding communities, she established the Isatou Welfare Fund in 2000. For more than 20 years, Ceesay has personally funded the initiative without seeking external donations, embodying quiet generosity and determination.
The foundation prioritizes aid to vulnerable populations, including children, women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. Its core efforts focus on enhancing access to education, fostering community development, and providing essential support where it is most needed.
Dumbuya also shared personal insights into Ceesay’s life, noting her authorship of four Islamic books available on Amazon and her daily routine of beginning mornings with readings from the Holy Qur’an. Ceesay’s interest in land matters, she added, may stem from her ancestral roots—her great-grandfather, Mamadi Maniang Ceesay, founded both Old Jeshwang and New Jeshwang.
National Assembly Member for Banjul North, Momodou Lamin B. Bah, addressed the gathering, describing Ramadan as a sacred month embodying unity and generosity. He expressed humility at the invitation and pride in witnessing what he called a historic occasion. Bah emphasized society’s duty to support the vulnerable, stating that while perfect equality may elude us, those in stronger positions bear a moral responsibility to help others. He praised the foundation’s leadership for championing social welfare and uplifting communities.
Community Engagement Manager Sainey Samba described the launch as far more than a ceremony—it represents a broader movement of hope, unity, and compassion. He reaffirmed the foundation’s mission to aid the vulnerable, empower youth, and advance opportunities in health, education, and community growth. Samba addressed pressing challenges facing young Gambians, such as drug abuse and scarce opportunities, underscoring that meaningful change demands collective action from all sectors of society.
The event concluded with the Iftar meal shared among nursing students, symbolizing the foundation’s commitment to practical, compassionate support during this holy month. As the Isatou Welfare Funds transitions into its formalized foundation phase, it stands poised to expand its impact, building on Ceesay’s legacy of self-funded service and dedication to those in need.
