Catholic Relief Service Officials Meet President Barrow Ahead of Food for Education Project Launch
By Mariama Dem
Officials from the Catholic Relief Service (CRS), led by President and CEO Sean Callahan, visited President Adama Barrow at the State House in Banjul on Tuesday morning. The purpose of their visit was to discuss the upcoming launch of the Food for Education and Child Nutrition Project.
Having operated in The Gambia for over 60 years, CRS has focused on various areas such as capacity building, agricultural development, microfinance, health and nutrition, malaria control, adult literacy and numeracy skills programs, and HIV/AIDS advisory. However, this visit marks the first time that CRS President & CEO Sean Callahan has personally visited The Gambia to strengthen their partnership with the country and gain a better understanding of the local context.
Accompanied by the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Claudiana Cole, CRS officials met with President Barrow to discuss the upcoming project launch on Thursday, February 8th.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, CEO Sean Callahan expressed appreciation for President Barrow’s efforts in promoting peace and development, and acknowledged the longstanding partnership between CRS and the government. He also reiterated CRS’s commitment to advocating for more donations for The Gambia.
The CRS will implement a five-year Food for Education and Child Nutrition Project, named “Na Dinding O la Karango leh Kumayata” (NDOKK), with funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Minister Claudiana Cole emphasised the significance of the project for the Ministry and the children it aims to benefit. She highlighted its goal to increase student enrollment, improve retention, performance, and completion rates, and enhance children’s nutrition and well-being.
The project will target 186 schools across all regions of The Gambia, focusing on Early Child Development Centers (ECDs) and Lower Basic Schools (LBSs). Its main objectives are to enhance literacy among school-age children and promote better health, nutrition, and dietary practices within the communities.
The project is a collaborative effort between CRS, Caritas Gambia, Future in Our Hands The Gambia (FIOHTG), the government through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), and other stakeholders.