By: Alieu Ceesay
The Rotary Club of Banjul marked its 46th anniversary with a vibrant gala dinner over the weekend, raising funds and renewing its call for stronger collective action to address pressing humanitarian needs in The Gambia and beyond.
The event, held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel, brought together club members, community leaders, and dignitaries to celebrate decades of service while focusing on the club’s core areas of impact: environmental protection, climate change advocacy, education, health, and community development aimed at uplifting the lives of the underprivileged.
Representing President Adama Barrow, Professor Perrie Gomez, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology, delivered the keynote address. He highlighted the critical importance of unity in facing modern challenges.
“As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century — from climate change to technological disruption, from economic uncertainty to global health challenges — our ability to unite for the common good will determine our success or failure as a nation,” Professor Gomez declared.
He emphasized that investing in young people is not merely an act of charity but “the soundest economic policy any nation can pursue.” The minister called for continued efforts to build schools, provide scholarships, equip libraries, and create opportunities for youth to thrive. He expressed deep appreciation to Rotary International and the Rotary Club of Banjul for their steadfast commitment to national development.
Club President Dawda Ndure reflected on recent achievements and outlined plans for the current Rotary year. He proudly announced the launch of the “Sanitary Pads for Girls” initiative, which provides essential sanitary products to underprivileged schoolgirls, particularly in rural and provincial areas. The project, he said, will continue throughout the year to ensure dignity, confidence, and uninterrupted education for young girls.
President Ndure also highlighted the club’s recent donation of complete sportswear kits — including jerseys, shirts, and football skirts — to the Nancy Football Academy in Lagerkunde, Germany, as part of its support for youth development and healthy lifestyles.
The gala dinner served as a major fundraiser, with proceeds earmarked for two flagship projects: installing boreholes in rural communities to provide access to safe drinking water and distributing school backpacks and essential learning materials to underprivileged children.
“Many families, especially hardworking mothers, carry the heavy burden of providing school materials for their children,” President Ndure said. “As the Rotary Club of Banjul, we intend to help ease that burden and allow parents to focus on their essential domestic needs while ensuring their children are well-equipped to learn.”
The anniversary celebration reaffirmed the club’s dedication to service and its commitment to transparent, judicious use of funds to create lasting impact in communities across The Gambia.
