by Saukaou Bah

Kingfisher Trust, The Gambia, last Saturday launched the first-ever Internet Cafe for the blind and the visually impaired in The Gambia, if not in the whole of West Africa. The ultra-modern Cafe was officially opened by th. Secretary of State for Communication, Information and Technology, Mrs Neneh Macdouall Gaye, 'on behalf of Vice President, Dr Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy.

In her opening remarks, SoS Macdouall Gaye described the initiative as another milestone in the history of the country, which "shows how well The Gambia is intergrated in the African infOrmation society". She went on to say, "The Gambia may be small in size but not in deeds, in 'act, there have been several instances where we have led the whole continent. It all depends

10 on the leadership we have_; our commitment, ur resolve and our sense of purpose to the mission ahead," she expressed.

She noted that the establishment of the Cafe complements an important aspect of the African Regional Action Plan for the Knowledge Economy, a project adopted by the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, which encourages the social inclusion of all classes of people, especially the disabled and people with special needs. in societal development and technology. She therefore encouraged the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the services. and facilities available at the Cafe for their self-development.

Other dignitaries at the occasion included the Secretary of State for Health, Dr Mbowe and Fatou Lamin Faye, Secretary‘of State for Education, among others.

The Internet facility also has an extensive library of braille hooks, a Versa Point braille printer, hraille maps, games and (alier materials. The project is an initiative of Kingfisher Trust and Gamweh Ltd.