VDF OFFERS RAMADAN SUGAR 2025: Vision Development Foundation (VDF) Distributes Ramadan Gifts to Needy Communities

In fulfillment of its religious obligation, the Vision Development Foundation (VDF) continued its annual Ramadan charity initiative by distributing 3,100 bags of sugar to poor and needy communities in The Gambia. The distribution took place on Wednesday 5 March, targeting areas such as the Kanifing Municipality, West Coast Region and Banjul, with community representatives from Latrikunda, Jeshwang, Bakau, Lamin, and other localities receiving the gifts. In previous comments responding to skeptics- VDF’s CEO, Momodou Turo Darboe did emphasised that this initiative was inspired by the teachings of his late father, who advised him to offer Ramadan gifts to the less fortunate. The gifts are being distributed to help support the poor during the Muslim Fasting month, a time when charity is especially encouraged in Islam. Mr Saihou Fofana - VDF's Public Relations Officer highlighted the foundation’s commitment to the fulfillment of the Islamic obligations of giving alms to the poor and the needy, especially during Ramadan, by ensuring that the donated items reach those in need, with plans to continue the distribution throughout Ramadan. He therefore called on recipients to ensure that donated items are distributed to target beneficiaries. Community leaders, including Alkalolus and Ward Council representatives expressed their gratitude for the generosity by VDF CEO Mr Momodou Turo Darboe, promising that the items would be distributed fairly to the target beneficiaries. The initiative reflects the Islamic value of Sadaqa, emphasising the importance of giving charity during Ramadan to cleanse wealth and support those in need. The initiative also fulfills one of Five Pillars of Islamic Charity Giving/ Zakat (alms) to those in need. Beneficiary communities were represented by Ward Councilors and community members from Latrikunda, Jeshwang, Bakau, the sports Committee of Banjul, the Lamin Elders Committee, among others. This generosity is being done line with the Islamic Religious obligations to maintain the spirit of sharing and caring especially during Ramadan by giving alms to the poor and needy. Responding to critics in the past years the VFD CEO- Momodou Turo Darboe said the gesture is emulating his late father who advised him to be offering Ramadan gifts to the needy communities during Ramadan. Saihou Fofana Vision Development Foundation Public Relations Officer (VDF) said during the presentation ceremony held at the VDF Office in Churchill’s Town in Serrekunda that: “We are gathered once more to answer to our CEO)- Mr Momodou Turo Darboe’s annual Ramadan Sugar gifts to the needy communities, to offer the sugar, rice and oil he have for the needy, to help them in the Muslim month of Fasting. “Today we have Lamin Elders Committee coming to collect the Ramadan gifts offered to them. We understand that the Lamin Elders Committee has been existing for long time, and have been engage in national development activities, that’ s why we invite them today for them to benefit from the VFD Ramadan gifts. We believe that our relationship with the Lamin Elders Communities will continue to grow from strengthen to strength, and yield benefits in the near future,” he said. Mr Fofana among others acknowledged and expressed appreciation for receiving such a high profile delegation from the communities of Lamin, comprising highly respectable community members, led by the Lamin Alkalo, the VDC Chairman and Secretary, among other respectable elders. He on behalf of the VFD CEO welcomed everyone, noting that Mr Momodou Turo Darboe instructed him to give 300 bags of Sugar to the Lamin Community, and to collect 100 bags of Sugar every Friday until the end of Ramadan. “The objective is that the donated items reach target beneficiaries, such as the poor and less privilege in Lamin Community who find it difficult to afford sugar during Ramadan. We are welcoming everyone on board, to come and take your share. This operation will be conducted throughout the Ramadan. The only advise we have is that if you collect on behalf of the needy please distribute it to the needy,” he said. Alkalo of Lamin Village- for his part expressed gratitude for the gesture, asserting that their relationship with VDF has been long time, while expressing gratitude for being beneficiaries from the VDF Ramadan gifts. He added that gesture will strengthen the long lasting relationship between his community and VDF. “We turn up today to showcase our longstanding friendly relationship,” he said, while assuring that his dedicated team of delegation will ensure proper distribution of the donated items to target beneficiaries. Jammeh Bojang- Lamin community member and former GFF President also graced the occasion, and echoed similar sentiments. He and expressed gratitude to VDF for the gesture, assuring that the donated items will he distributed accordingly. Other speakers includes Wards Councilors - Lamin K. Jammeh of Bakoteh, Baba Jabbi Fajikunda, Lamin Dibba - Old Bakau; Habib ML Ceesay - New Jewswang; and Alhagie Sosseh Colley Bakau Mamakoto elders community member; Ya Fatou Lowe- Banjul Sports Committees representative; Malang Kujabi - Latrikunda Sabiji Alkalo and Lamin Moro Jatta- Alkalo of Busumbala. They expressed gratitude to VDF and Momodou Turo Darboe for the generosities, and prayed for the continued success of the organisation. “One of the doors that Allah has opened to His slaves to gain big rewards in the month Ramadan is through sadaqa (giving charity/alms). Islam always advise it’s followers to give plenty of charities, especially during the month Ramadan. And that supposes to be the manner of believers; generous. Allah and His messenger ordered even gave example to the followers of Islam to be a generous and open-handed person. Generosity is one of the attribute of Allah the Exalted. Alms allow Muslims to cleanse their wealth after the fasting month while giving directly to the poor and needy,” - Quran. “VFD was set up so many years ago to nurture the spirit of sharing and caring,” said the VDF PRO in his remarks.

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