Iqra Foundation Donates Sewing Machines and Wheelchairs to Empower Beneficiaries in Banjul North
Group Photo Iqra Foundation Donation © Askanwi
By Haddy Ceesay
The Iqra Foundation has donated five sewing machines and five wheelchairs to beneficiaries in Banjul North as part of its humanitarian efforts aimed at empowering vulnerable members of society and improving their livelihoods.
The donation was handed over on Wednesday, 16th September 2026, to the Honourable Member for Banjul North, Modou Lamin B. Bah, during a ceremony attended by community members, beneficiaries, humanitarian actors, and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hon. Bah commended Iqra International for its continued support to vulnerable communities, particularly women, children, elderly people, and persons with disabilities.
He described the sewing machines as more than just equipment, saying they represent opportunities for independence, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance.
“This is not just a machine. This is your independence. This is your business. This is the food for your children, the food on your table, and the pride and self-reliance,” Hon. Bah said.
He encouraged the women receiving the machines to make productive use of them, train others, and establish businesses that could create employment opportunities for young people in Banjul and beyond.
On the wheelchairs, Hon. Bah said the donation would provide beneficiaries with greater mobility, accessibility, and the opportunity to participate more fully in community life.
“This is not just a chair. This is mobility. This is access. This is the freedom to go to the market, to the mosque, to visit family and to participate fully in society,” he said.
Hon. Bah also acknowledged the contributions of other individuals and organizations supporting humanitarian and skills-development initiatives in The Gambia.
Hon Modou L.B. Bah © Askanwi Media
Barrister Nazir Ahmed FRSA, Chairperson of Iqra International, said the organization remains committed to supporting vulnerable people through humanitarian interventions in The Gambia and other parts of the world.
He called on individuals who have the means to support humanitarian initiatives to come forward and contribute towards helping people in need.
Barrister Ahmed highlighted Iqra International’s work in areas including food distribution, Qurbani projects and assistance to people with mobility challenges.
He said the organization intends to expand its Qurbani project so that more people across different parts of The Gambia can benefit.
Speaking about the wheelchair donation, he emphasized the importance of accessibility, mobility and inclusion, noting that people with mobility challenges should be given opportunities to participate actively in their communities.
Barrister Ahmed also stressed the importance of collective action, cooperation and collaboration in addressing humanitarian needs.
He expressed hope that Iqra International would be able to expand its humanitarian activities beyond The Gambia to countries including Senegal, Mali and Nigeria.
Delegates at the Donation © Askanwi Media
Beneficiaries of the donation expressed happiness and appreciation for the support, describing the sewing machines and wheelchairs as valuable assistance that could make a meaningful difference in their daily lives and livelihoods.
The beneficiaries also called for more donations and similar humanitarian interventions to reach other people in need across The Gambia.
The ceremony ended with calls for continued partnership between humanitarian organizations, the private sector, communities and individuals to support vulnerable people and create opportunities for empowerment and self-reliance.
Donation Drive © Askanwi Media
