Gambiaj.com – (DOHA, Qatar) – Qatar Charity (QC) and The Gambia’s Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in social protection, women’s empowerment, and improving the quality of life for vulnerable groups across the country.
The agreement was formalised during a ceremony attended by Gender Minister Fatou Sanyang Kinteh; HE Abdullah Jassim al-Kuwari, acting Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Qatar in Banjul; Mustafa Essatte, director of QC’s Gambia office; senior government representatives; and civil society stakeholders. The MoU was signed by Permanent Secretary Ilo Jallow and QC country director Essatte.
Speaking at the event, Minister Kinteh described the association as a “pivotal step” in advancing the ministry’s mandate.
“This cooperation represents a pivotal step in achieving the Ministry’s goals of strengthening social protection for vulnerable groups, empowering women economically and socially, improving care services for children and the elderly, and supporting social inclusion programs to raise living standards in rural communities,” she said.
“We believe that working hand-in-hand with QC will deliver a tangible and sustainable impact on the ground.” She also extended gratitude to the Embassy of Qatar, QC, and the people of Qatar for their continued support.
Qatar’s envoy, al-Kuwari, welcomed the initiative, highlighting its significance in enhancing social development and economic empowerment in The Gambia.
QC’s Essatte said the MoU reinforces a shared commitment to supporting vulnerable groups, empowering women, and improving living standards nationwide. He underscored the importance of coordinated efforts for sustainable impact and thanked the Gambian government and Qatari partners for their collaboration.
The ceremony also featured the distribution of a wide range of essential aid: 200 kitchen sets, 320 solar-powered lamps, 69 blood pressure monitors, 19 sewing machines, 14 vegetable stalls, and 4 electric wheelchairs for persons with disabilities.
QC also highlighted its broader interventions over the past three months, including the completion of 28 solar-powered wells in 28 villages, benefiting an estimated 8,400 people.
Additional livelihood initiatives included six sheep-farming projects, five poultry projects, the distribution of 62 sewing machines, the establishment of 26 fruit and vegetable stalls, and the provision of three motorbikes to support income-generating activities, reaching a total of 102 low-income families.
On the social and educational front, QC provided 90 blood sugar monitors, supported 11 school bag and uniform programs, donated 15 bicycles for orphans, built a home for a mother caring for orphaned children, and constructed an 80 sq m mosque.
The Ministry and QC said the MoU marks a new phase of cooperation that will scale up social protection interventions, expand economic opportunities for women, and deliver improved services to vulnerable communities nationwide.
