First Lady Fatoumatta Bah Barrow and Minister Fatou Kinteh helping to cut the ribbon at the inauguration of Aja Bintou Sawo Memorial Daycare Center
By Ramatoulie Jawo
Lang Konteh, a native of Badibou Kinteh Kunda, has officially inaugurated the Aja Bintou Sawo Memorial Daycare Center and Playground in honor of his late mother. The facility is designed to provide a safe and nurturing space for young children, fostering early childhood development while supporting working parents.
The inauguration ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare, Hon. Fatou Kinteh, and attended by First Lady Fatoumatta Bah Barrow, alongside cabinet ministers and senior government officials.
Speaking at the event, Lang Konteh described the project as a significant milestone for the community, serving as a tribute to his mother’s enduring legacy and a symbol of remembrance for all departed souls.
“As the second oldest child, I was deeply inspired by my mother’s resilience and unwavering devotion to her family. This daycare center is a way to honor her memory while giving back to the community in a meaningful way,” he said.
The Aja Bintou Sawo Memorial Daycare Center and Playground highlight the critical role of early childhood education in shaping young minds and providing a strong foundation for future learning. Through this initiative, Lang Konteh hopes to create a lasting impact, ensuring that children in the community have access to quality care and education in a safe and nurturing environment.
“Her capacity to navigate the complicities of family life even when faced with seemly insurmountable obstacles was a powerful testimony to her character. There was nothing like a daycare facility for my mother’s growing young family and there was no other support system that could have relief her of the stressors of child caring, understanding that our family experiences were part of the larger narrative shared by many others during that era Kindle a life long desire within me to do something for struggling mothers and their children,” he explained.
He emphasized that the project stemmed from his unwavering commitment to dedicating his resources to the advancement and well-being of humanity, particularly in fostering human capital development in his beloved country, The Gambia.
He noted that the event was more than just a celebration of a building and playground; it symbolized a promise of a brighter future for the youngest members of their society.
“A daycare center is just more than a facility, it will serve as a second home for our children. A place where they will nurtured, educated, and prepared for a lifetime of learning growth. It will provide a safe and sporting environment for nursing mothers to live with their children while they go on their daily activities apparently, physical activities and play are essential for the healthy development of young minds therefore this playground is the place for joy, creativity, and connection will provide children the opportunity to learn more human values l such as teamwork, patient, and resilient through play,” he said.
He emphasized that, for their community and its immediate surroundings, the daycare center symbolizes progress and hope. By investing in their children, he noted, they are ultimately investing in the future of their communities.
He further urged community members to take ownership of the facility and expressed gratitude to everyone in the village who contributed to making the project a reality.
The chairman of the project team, Dr. Burama Jammeh, described the inauguration of the center as the fulfillment of a vision born out of love, resilience, and a strong sense of community.
Mr. Jammeh recalled that when they embarked on the project in October 2023, they understood that it was more than just constructing a daycare center, It was about preserving the legacy of Aja Bintou Sawo, whom he described as a woman of immense patience, dignity, and sacrifice.
He emphasized that the late Aja Bintou Sawo was not just a wife, mother, or community member but a pillar of strength.
“Her life was a testament to perseverance in the face of hardship. Many here may recall the difficult times when our family faced social and economic sanctions from the community due to my husband’s political affiliation with the then People’s Progressive Party,” he said.
In honor of this remarkable woman, the late Aja Bintou Sawo, he stated that they initiated a project worth over two million Dalasi.
Speaking at the event, First Lady Fatoumatta Bah Barrow highlighted that the center is more than just a structure ”It is a sanctuary where children can flourish, learn, and grow while mothers are empowered to pursue their aspirations.”
She emphasized that her organization is driven by the belief that investing in children is an investment in the future.
She also noted that initiatives like this align with their commitment to addressing the vulnerabilities of rural communities, particularly those affecting women and children.
“The challenges faced by families, especially during the hard session underscored the need for facilities like this that provide shelter, care, and opportunity for both the children and their parents,” she said.
She praised the Konteh family, the project team, and the organizing committee for their dedication and vision. She noted that their efforts to support national development programs serve as a shining example of how collective action can drive equitable progress.
“As we inaugurate this center let us reaffirm collective resources to uplift every child and family in the Gambia together we can make a future where no child is left behind, and every village and community enjoy the blessings of progress and prosperity,” she said.
The Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare, Fatou Kinteh, described the facility as a symbol of hope, dedicated to honoring the legacy of a remarkable woman whose life continues to inspire many.
She emphasized that the center will provide essential childcare services and a safe, nurturing environment for their children.
“This initiative directly addresses the challenges faced by rural communities, especially the nursing mothers. As the minister of gender, children, and social welfare I am particularly proud to witness how collaborative efforts like this working families, friends, communities and the government align with national objectives for inclusive development. Your efforts here in kinteh Kunda Janneh Yaa, serve as an example for all,” she said.
Minister Kinteh expressed his hope that the center would serve as a beacon of progress and a foundation for greater opportunities for all.
Other speakers, including the Chief, Governor, Alkalo, and other community members, expressed their gratitude to Lang Konteh for this commendable initiative. They also urged the community to take good care of the facility to ensure its long-term benefit.