A five day training course on essential First Aid has ended in Gunjur on Friday afternoon. The training which was jointly sponsored by Gunjur Development Association (GDA) and Gunjur Project, an eco-tourism establishment in Gunjur saw sixty-six people trained on how to administer essential First Aid when presented with a situation where life may be at risk.
Participants at essential First Aid Training organised by GDA/Gunjur Project at Gunjur beach
The training course which was inspired by recent drowning cases in Gunjur and elsewhere, and many other related accidents within the communities along the coastlines was successfully delivered by Musa Colly and Baba Janneh from Care for Life Association Gambia.
The training enrolled people from Gunjur, Kartong, Community Based Organisations (CBOs), Fire and Rescue Service at Gunjur Beach, Gunjur Police and as well as fishermen at Gunjur Beach. The training course equipps participants with basic and essential skills neededed to give causalities first aid assistance before they reach the hospital for proper medical attention. Speaking about the new skills learned from the training course, Mustapha Manneh had this to say:
“All praise be to Allah. I finally completed an intensive 5 days training on First Aid and now a Certified First Aider. Thank you GDA and Gunjur Project for the opportunity. Much appreciation goes Mr Musa Colley for facilitating the training. I dedicated this Certificate to the Late Habib Touray who sacrifice his entire life defending and supporting kartong and The Gambia.”
Commenting on the successful conclusion of the First Aid Training, Jenny Ringstead of Gunjur Projected told GunjurNewsOnline:
“The first aid training embraced and involved many members of the community from police and fire rescue to environment and youth groups. Women from a literacy group attended the course but said they were uneducated however they stayed with the course and - half way through the program these same women were confidently giving feedback to others of where they needed to improve on their CPR practical performance - so not only were first aid skills developed but women’s empowerment was supported.
Musa Colley from Care for Life Association had an ability to engage all within the training and work at different levels to ensure an understanding by all. Everyone on the course felt motivated by him. Feedback from participants is very positive and we hope to make this training a regular event to empower more of our community to respond better equipped in an emergency situation. A special thanks to the fisheries center management team for allowing the use of the conference hall and supporting wherever required.”
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Gunjur Ward Councillor Momodou Jibba underscored the importance of the training, thanked the the sponsors and facilitator for their remarkable efforts and advised the participants to make very best use of the training and give effective First Aid service delivery to the community from the skills gained from the five days training.
Musa Colly demonstrating CPR to course participants in Gunjur
Musa Colly from Caring Life Association (Gambia) as the facilitator informed the gathering that, he was contacted by Dr Ahmed Manjang who is based in Saudi Arabia about the three drowning cases that happened in the country recently. According to Mr Colly, they discussed the need to have first aid training to help save lives within the the communities.
“Upon his request as first Aider, I took it as a challenge and willingness to conduct a 5 day intensive training in Gunjur through Dr Ahmed Manjang to be sponsored by Gunjur Development Association and Gunjur Project Gambia.” Colly advised other communities to emulate Gunjur for community development.
Reacting to the success of the training course, Ahmed Manjang who helped initiate the First Aid Training had this to say:
“I would like to thank and congratulate GDA/Gunjur Project for facilitating such an essential lifesaving training for the people of Gunjur. The instruction which was attended by 66 locals was well received. To have 66 people with top-notch lifesaving skills is a big plus for the people of Gunjur. Finally, I would like to thank Jenny Ringstead, Mariama Jobe, Mayinma Touray, Fatou Conteh Jammeh, Bunama Jatta and Omar Diamond Darboe for their dedication in the smooth running of the training. I would like to thank Musa Colley, the facilitator, and his two assistants.”
On his part, Badara Njie Bajo, GDA chairperson informed the meeting that his association is geared towards the development of the community of Gunjur. He indicated that this was the reason why GDA have partnered with Gunjur Project (Gambia) to sponsor this training. “GDA have sponsored many projects in Gunjur among these, a project of over D200,000 invested at Gunjur Health Centre for water and sanitation, 15 thousand seedlings were planted at the sand mining affected area in Gunjur in collaboration with the Community Based Organisations, 80m X 50m land purchased for a Multipurpose Centre in Gunjur which the fundraising is on going for the construction.” Chairman Bajo concluded by thanking both the sponsors, the facilitators and the participants for making the training course a resounding success.
Alhagie Bojang of Gunjur Project said his project is always ready to help the community in any development agenda. “Gunjur Project (Gambia) doors are open for all for the interest of community development” Mr Bojang concluded.
Other speakers include Hatab Jobe, Karamo Touray and Mariama Jobe as participants. Certificates were presented to all sixty course participants.
