Since she became the First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow has taken on various philanthropic causes both in The Gambia and beyond.

She’s been partnering with local and international organisations such as Merck Foundation and Delaware African Caribbean Coalition to help the sick, the needy and the most disadvantaged across the country.

Shortly after the establishment of the Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow Foundation (FaBB) in May 2017, the First Lady launched a campaign to upgrade the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul.

With the help of her partners, she mobilised resources, including beds, blankets, wheelchairs, surgical equipment and ultra sound machines, which she donated to the different units of the hospital.

Her office wrote on Facebook: “FaBB foundation is committed to ease the burden of the health sector and strengthen the main referral hospital of The Gambia. The First Lady appreciates all the support rendered by partners, goodwill ambassadors and friends.”

Fatoumatta also brought in a paediatric professor and specialist from the USA to conduct training for 26 Gambians doctors and midwives nationwide on how to help babies to breathe after birth.

A  State House insider told What’s On-Gambia: “She has a deep love for her country and this is reflected in her philanthropy, especially in the areas of health and education.  She paid school fees for multiple children and helped people with medical conditions to get overseas treatment through her foundation.

“Also, a couple of months ago, two doctors returned from India after three months training on infertility treatment and a lady is yet to come back who is currently on oncology training.”

The First Lady is also involved in the empowerment of vulnerable communities through social development programmes. Between April and May 2018, she commissioned and inaugurated boreholes in the rural Gambia.

One of her acts that recently caught the attention of many was her donation of bags of cement and trips of sand to a widow whose house was in dire need of renovation.

Fatoumatta and her team at FaBB are currently touring the country to distribute sugar, rice and other food items to Muslims observing the holy month of Ramadan.