Long-standing philanthropist Alhaji Salifu K. Jaiteh on Wednesday reinforced the disaster response capabilities of the Mansakonko Area Council by donating second-hand clothes to victims of recent fire and windstorm-induced disasters in the Lower River Region (LRR).
The Chairman of Mansakonko Area Council, Landing B. Sanneh, described Jaiteh’s intervention as crucial to the victims’ recovery process.
According to Mr. Sanneh,who was at Mr. Jaiteh’s office in Banjul to receive the donation, fire outbreaks have become frequent in the Mansakonko area recently, destroying food and other valuable property in their wake.
“Fire outbreaks have become frequent and destructive of late as many people have had their houses burnt. And when houses go in flames, the first casualties include food and clothing. The 14 bales of clothes donated by Alhaji Salifu Jaiteh will be distributed to those affected by domestic fires and windstorm. We thank you, your staff and family and will continue to pray for your good health so that you can continue positively impacting lives. Your role in The Gambia’s development has earned you recognition from the outside world by virtue of your role as an honorary consul.
We urge others to emulate your unwavering commitment to supporting the poor and needy.”
Meanwhile, the Mansakonko Area Council awarded Alhaji Salifu K. Jaiteh a certificate of appreciation and this is what Chairman Sanneh said about the award: “Thank you very much Alhaji Salifu. I would like to express my profound delight and that of the staff of Mansakonko Area Council for awarding you this certificate.”
The Mansakonko Area Council chair capitalized on the moment to recall the support that Jaiteh rendered to the local authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic. “When I was the President of the Gambia Local Government Association (GALGA), Mansakonko alone received 20 bale of clothes and other area councils also received clothes donations from Alhaji Salifu. I coordinated the distribution of that round of donations, which went up to 100 bales for our people and came at a time when movements were restricted,” stated chairman Sanneh. ‘Your philanthropy is not motivated by the desire to make a name. You are already a household name because since we were young, we heard about you and all we heard about you is positive.”
In his reaction, Alhaji Salifu K. Jaiteh said: “I am pleasantly surprised by this certificate. It’s only God who knows the depth of happiness that I feel right now because when you are doing something good for the people, you are not doing it for them but yourself because the reward is mine. You will, however, be delighted if your efforts are recognized. I appreciate it.”
