Official Announcement from the Office of Her Worship Rohey Malick Lowe, Mayor of Banjul and President of REFELA Africa.
It is with immense honor and profound pleasure that we announce a transformative initiative under the REFELA The Gambia Chapter: the official unveiling of fifteen (15) modern boreholes, commencing on January 30, 2026.
This strategic “Water for Women in The Gambia” project, to be implemented over a twelve-week period, stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to gender empowerment and sustainable community development. It is projected to directly enhance the livelihoods of over 30,000 women engaged in vital garden cultivation.
This undertaking represents far more than infrastructure; it is the fulfillment of a solemn commitment. As a woman, a mother, your Mayor, and President of REFELA Africa, I pledged to listen to the challenges faced by our women and translate that understanding into meaningful action.
We have heard the narratives of resilience, of daughters and sisters traversing long distances under arduous conditions, often at the expense of education, health, and valuable time, to secure a most fundamental human need. It became our collective duty to address this.
We are deeply moved by the solidarity of visionary partners who, recognizing this imperative have generously aligned their resources with our mission. Their partnership is a powerful investment in human dignity and national progress.
We extend our most sincere and heartfelt gratitude to:
• Trust Bank Gambia Ltd., under the esteemed leadership of Mrs. Njillan Senghore Managing Director;
• Wave The Gambia, under the esteemed leadership of Madam Sainabou Sarr managing Director;
• Sahel Bank BSIC Ltd., under the esteemed leadership of Mr. Hani Ezgalei Managing Director;
• The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in The Gambia, under the esteemed leadership of His Excellency Liu Jin.
Furthermore, we are profoundly grateful for the exceptional cross-continental partnership and visionary support of a distinguished leader whose belief in action and women’s empowerment has been instrumental: His Highness Mohammed Bin Rashid AL Maktoum, The Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Ruler of Dubai, not forgetting my dear sister Her Excellency Reem AL Hashimy, the Minister of State for International Cooperation in the United Arab Emirates.
This collaboration signifies:
• Freedom for the young girl, whose path to education is now unobstructed.
• Dignity for the mother, whose time can be redirected towards family, enterprise, and community.
• Health for communities, safeguarded through access to clean, safe water.
• Hope for a future built on greater resilience and self-reliance.
This initiative embodies a collective dream realized through partnership. It is founded on the core principle that empowering women is synonymous with empowering our entire nation.
The project will be inaugurated in a ceremony at the Banjul City Council on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 10:00 AM precisely.
We kindly request representatives, accompanied by a nominated woman leader, from the following beneficiary communities to be present for the official agreement handover:
1. Brufurt – West Coast
2. Basori village -West Coast
3. Fonio Bodali -West Coast
4. Kinteh Kunda Marong Kunda – Badibu North Bank .
5. Nyabou Kunda – Badibu North Bank
6. Lowen -Niumi North Bank
7. Kerr Jawara -Niumi North Bank
8. Sancha Njugor Njie – Lower Saloum in Ballanghar, CRR
9. Pinai village – Niamina West District, CRR
10. Sami Misira – CRR north
11. Jarra – Barrow Kunda, LRR
12. Jarra -Jasong, LRR
13. Mbayen – Sirbach Sijally NBR
14. Jarra -Bureng LRR
15. Jarra -Kanikuda LRR
We wish to assure all communities surveyed that this marks a progressive first phase. Our dedicated work continues to extend this essential infrastructure to all identified areas.
In the spirit of sustainable and community-owned development, and to ensure this initiative remains a non-political asset for universal empowerment, the completed boreholes will be entrusted to the custodianship of the respective Village Development Committees (VDCs).
Together, we are turning the page towards a brighter, more equitable chapter.
With Gratitude,
Your Worship Rohey Malick Lowe
Mayor of Banjul
President of REFELA Africa
