2016 new year celebrations in Minnesota will assuredly go down the memorable lane as one of the most successful events both in terms of attendance, exhibition of women gorgeous dresses, musical entertainment and donations generated, going by testaments given by community members both during and after the annual new year’s eve party.

Organized by the Leadership of the Gambian Association, the annual party was part of grandiose efforts to promote unity through socialization in our community.Both the DJ Bless Jagne and MC Tuta Fatu Jome did a wonderful job of providing high quality assortment of music and galvanizing patty attendees to dance respectively.

In welcoming the quests, Secretary General Lamin Gibba implored all to continue to support the leadership in charge of the Association in the realization of its goals including promting unity and cohesion among Gambians in Minnesota. Reiterating that the Association is non-religious entity and has no political affiliations, but in togetherness and unity of purpose, it was able to send two 40ft containers full of books and medical items to Gambia for distribution to various schools, hospitals and clinics.

Alkali Yaffa, who is the outgoing President, encouraged commumity members who have not yet served in community voluntarism to consider giving it a trial. It takes heart to serve your community and the sacrifice is absolutely necessary, he emphasized.

Incoming president Lamin Sabally gave a quick summation of some project accomplishments made by the association recently, and included the exclusive funding of 4 burials in MN and intervention in bailing out a community member who was in immigration detention and now facing immigration law violation charges. Last summer, Sabally went on; the association also organized a very successful grand community picnic interspersed with kids’ soccer game. Sabally recognized the proliferation of different sub associations in Minnesota as evidence of diversity and noted that despite our minor differences, all can work well with the Gambian Association in pursuance o our shared goals and objectives to promote unity and cohesion as Gambians.