The Federation Manager Saamasang Edrissa Cham has said that sponsorship is the life blood of both Child-Fund The Gambia and Saamasang Federation.

He was speaking Wednesday December 29th, 2010 at Kabakel Village Kombo Central District West Coast Region in the observance of Sponsorship Awareness Day for the Darsilami Community Association.

Cham told the gathering that it is the responsibility of the parents to work in partnership with Saamasang in order to sustain the sponsorship saying that without sponsorship, there will be no room for the children to acquire education.

"Saamasang is a Mandinka word meaning buy your tomorrow which cannot be achieved without the participation of the parents, children and the sponsors."

He further stated that the rationale behind the celebration is to discuss issues and the way forward for the sponsorship as they the sponsors are very interested to know how their sponsored children are progressing in schools.

"Am urging the parents to take a leading role in the promotion and maintenance of the sponsorship."

Baba Bojang Child-Fund The Gambia Area Sponsor Manager said the importance of the day cannot be over emphasized noting that it aims to assess the education level of children and also to dilate more on cancellation rates in the sponsorship as well as to look a proper mechanism on how to tackle the problems hindering the sponsorship.

"The other purpose of the day is to evaluate whether progress have been made or if there is a failure in the sponsorship," he said.

He also concord with the Manage Cham that Sponsorship is the backbone of both Child-Fund The Gambia and Saamasang Federation saying that even we standing get our salaries through this sponsorship. Bojang also tasked parents to make sure that their children writes their correspondent letters continuously as this will increase confidence between the sponsors and their children.

Yankuba Manneh Sponsor Manage Kaira Nyining Kombo East, Gibril Fatty Community Mobilizer Bafuloto, Lamin Fatty Darsilami Community and Ebrima Jagne Community Mobilizer Jamisa Community Association all re echoed similar sentiments calling on the people of Darsilami Community to promote the sponsorship.

The Alkalolus of Marakisa, Kabakel Junkung Colley and Timothy Sarjo all thanked the Child-Fund and Saamasang for their support promising to work with them at all times.

In attendance were the community and other important dignitaries.