The Center for Leadership and Management for Sustainable Development (CLMSD) on December 23rd officially launched a Social Education Initiative in Madison, Wisconsin, United States.
The founder of CLMSD said the initiative marks an important milestone development for the African community in Madison. Jobarteh Fofana, a Gambian resident in Madison, said the main objectives of the initiative is to “help educate and enlighten African children in the USA about the African history, culture, traditions and core universal moral values. It also seeks to develop the character and ethics and more importantly, nurture and develop the leadership potentials of these children to enable them become upright, responsible and productive members of our society.”
CLMSD is a non-governmental, not-for-profit making social development organisation registered in The Gambia with a social-oriented mission, that is to promote excellence in leadership development across all levels of our society to promote and accelerate progressive social changes and national development. Mr. Fofana said the organization is in the process of registering in Wisconsin as a foreign non-profit organization. “This will enable CLMSD to to foster and build new partnership and cooperations,” Mr. Fofana said, thanking his co-partner, Mr. Sarjo Touray, an outspoken local community religious leader, for sharing his vision, outstanding mutual commitment as well as making sure that the laudable initiative is being launched.
Mr. Sarjo Touray has reaffirmed his rock-solid commitment and passion to the realization of the noble objectives of the initiative. He said that the African diaspora community in needs initiative of this càliber.
The President of Rawdatul Majalise, Dr. Baba Drammeh, who commended the CLMSD founders for their foresight, pledged his organisation’s “full support for the sustainability of this incredible initiative.”
The Guest Speaker of the event was Mr. Lang Barrow, an executive member of Jarra Madison Association (JMA). The Bureng native hailed Mr. Jobarteh Fofana for creating such a strategic initiative aimed at helping the development and growth of African children living in the USA. He urged parents to actively support and participate in the effective running of the programme. Mr. Barrow also acknowledged that this new social education initiative represents a valuable opportunity for an all-rounded development of children, which is critical for advancing both their future private and professional life.
The Imam of Madison Easy Side Masjid offered the opening prayer. Imam Lamin Ceesay emphasised the need for moral education of diasporan children. “This will inculcate good moral values and character in these children. We can then make them righteous and productive future leaders,” Imam Ceesay preached.
Also speaking was the President of the Union of Nigerians living in Wisconsin, Mr. Benjamin who urged stakeholders to support the initiative in any capacity they can. He offered his union’s “full cooperation and unwavering support to the intiative.”
The launching was chaied by a prominent Gambian youth advocate and executive member of Gambia Madison Association. Mr. Jerreh Jarju expressed deep gratitude and gratification to the CLMSD for coming up with such an amazing, long overdue intiative. He called on Africans in the diaspora to use their creative brains and come up with programs that can make a difference in their respective communities.
The Secretary General of JMA, Madam Fatou Barrow, delivered the vote of thank. She lauded the CLSMD for the great initiative. Mrs. Barrow also conveyed special appreciation and gratitude to all those who graced the occasion.
Ends