“We are here also here to learn for The Gambia. It is a joint process between the Gambian health personnel and us. We think by working together we can help them. We see the world as one place - all human beings.”
Source/Credit: Daily Observer
By Alieu Ceesay | March 7, 2013
A four-man delegation from the Humanity First in the United Kingdom is in the Gambia for a week’s assessment visit on ways to collaborate with the country's health sector to assist Gambians.
Humanity First, set up by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, is an international aid agency that provides assistance to those in need irrespective of race, religion or politics, from registered offices operating in 41 countries. It has been working on projects in 50 countries across 6 continents.
The team comprises Dr. Shahnawaz Rasheed, medical director of Humanity First; Dominic Morgan, head of Medical Logistics; Dr. Asif Hamid, deputy head of Logistics; and Dr. Azhar J Ahmad.
In an interview with this reporter on Wednesday, Dr. Shahnawaz Rasheed, medical director, disclosed that their main reason for coming to The Gambia is to help people. He said Humanity First is an apolitical and non-religious organisation that offers ‘help based on need’. There are a lot of people working in the organisation from different religions and countries and they have collective aims and visions,” he pointed out.
Dr Rasheed disclosed that it is their plan to support Gambian health authorities to serve people by sharing knowledge, improve infrastructure, and other vital areas. Part of their plans he informed further, is to bring team of experts from the UK, US, and Canada to The Gambia, who would support local medical centres. “Hopefully, more teams will come as we go back. We are here for assessment - meet the nurses, doctors, and the patients to know their problems,” he added.
The medical director further to reveal that they would specifically intervene in emergency cases, new born babies, disaster, and dental areas, among others.
“We are here also here to learn for The Gambia. It is a joint process between the Gambian health personnel and us. We think by working together we can help them. We see the world as one place - all human beings”, he posited.
He described the people of The Gambia as very kind and warm, and that the clinics are committed to helping the people. “The passion and the way they want to help people is incredible”, he said.
Donation of 200 bags of rice and D10,000
It could be recalled that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at recently donated 200 bags of rice and D10, 000 to victims of the 2011 crop failure, at a presentation ceremony held at the Office of the Vice President, in Banjul.
The vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, who doubles as the chairperson of the National Disaster Management Governing Council, Her Excellency Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, hailed the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at for being a good partner in development with the government of The Gambia. She specifically commended them for setting up the Humanity First, noting that the Jama’at puts humanity above anything else, “which is really appreciated by Government”. Madam Njie-Saidy then assured them of Government’s all time support.
For his part, the Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Baba F. Trawally, posited that Islam is all about caring and sharing, to which he said the Ahmadiyya Jama’at is committed. Islam he added, is a religion of peace, security and harmony and that it calls for tolerance and understanding.
Trawally indicated that the donation was meant to complement government's efforts. He went on to reveal that Humanity First has a programme called 'Feed the Family', conducted every three months by travelling round the country to give out rice, oil and cash to different families. He said they are also involved in educational and humanitarian disaster relief programmes.
Read original post here: Gambia: Humanity First officials visit from UK
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