Gambian-based philanthropist who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of the Vision Development Foundation (VDF), Modou Turo Darboe, Wednesday donated two thousand seven hundred and thirteen (2713) rams to various needy Muslims in The Gambia.

The presentation of the rams was part of his contribution to support needy Gambians in observance of the annual Muslim feast of Tobaski.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at his office in Churchill’s Town, Jaliba Kuyateh, a beneficiary from the gesture, thanked Turo Darboe and prayed for long life and good health for Darboe so he could continue to help the needy.

He said this was one way of complementing the government’s efforts and alleviating poverty.

Mr Kuyateh challenged needy Gambians to not only sit on their laurels and depend on Turo Darboe’s gifts every year, but they should work hard to make ends meet.

He described Turo Darboe as a genuine Gambian who has love for humanity.

Ousman Yabo, executive director of TANGO, described the gesture as a welcomed move and a good initiative, as this is an annual activity from Darboe who inherited this practice from his (Darboe’s) father.

It was not a surprise for Turo Darboe to give out such a large number of rams to needy Gambians, not only during the Tobaski, but also in the holy month of Ramadan, he said.

According to Mr Yabo, considering the statistics in terms of poverty in the country, someone like Turo Darboe offering such a large number of ramsto poor people at this time of the year deservedcommendation and is worthy of emulation.

“Modou Turo Darboe is one of those philanthropists that are worthy of commendation for having love for humanity,” he said, adding: “I think people should recognise the work of the NGOs that are complementing efforts towards the economic development of this country.”

He continued: “We don’t do business, we are not after profit making, but we look at the needs and try to raise funds outside the country, and provide the necessary support to the needy and Turo is one of those well-recognised philanthropists in the country.”

Modou Lamin Jagne, VDF senior programme officer, in his remarks on the occasion, said this was an annual activity that Turo Darboe continues to carry out, and is an inheritance from his father who had been very supportive in terms of helping humanity.

The Vision Development Foundation under the leadership of Mr. Modou Turo Darboe held its annual Ram distribution for the Eid-Al Adha festival locally known as Tobaski. The gesture benefits many families across the country who without this donation would not have been able to fulfill their obligations and desires.

In yet another philanthropist gesture, the Faji Kunda based business tycoon Momodou Turo Darboe distributed 168 rams to the needy Muslims in observance of the Muslim feast of Eid-al-Adha locally call “Tobaski”.

The beneficiaries that come from across the country, is part of Darboe’s annual “Tobaski” gift to those who cannot afford it as prescribed in the holy Quran, for those who can afford it to give a helping hand to those who cannot.

The Chief Executive Officer of Vision Development Foundation, Turo Darboe, as he is popularly known, last year distributed 225 rams and 350 bags of sugar to Muslims during this years holy month of Ramadan.

An ardent Muslim himself, Momodou Turo Darboe told the Point that he believes in the culture of sharing his wealth with the poor and the needy just as his late father used to do.

According to him, this is all aimed at complementing government’s effort. Many people in society know him to profoundly subscribe to the fact that the Gambia government’s Blueprint Vision 2020 is attainable, and thus everyone should be a participant in attaining this lofty goal.

It should also be noted that Turo occasionally donates generously to mosques, hospitals and schools across the country. At his Banjul based NGO Vision Development Foundation (VDF) office, a good number of students are currently benefiting from scholarships all thanks to his generosity.

A man who believes in giving a helping hand where he thinks it is needed, Turo Darboe earlier this year donated a brand new generator to the community mosque of Bundung borehole to ease the problem of electricity at the mosque.

And this is not the first or second time for him to make such donations that could set the unfortunate ones at ease. Turo has been dipping into and continues to dedicate generously, his wallet and time to worthy causes including the propaganda of the Islamic religion.