PRESS RELEASE
It was exhilarating, it was breath-taking and it was a an intensive two days of unrivaled fun.
The 2nd Edition of Kombo Sillah Association Cultural Weekend in Bristol has got everyone talking. The 2018 KSA Cultural Weekend was, a resounding success thanks to the phenomenal organisational skills of the organising committee, backed by the resolute KSA Trustees, our KSA members, special guests and well-wishers of the venerable Kombo Sillah Association. The 2018 KSA Cultural Weekend’s success cannot be celebrated without special acknowledgement and recognition of the following: The Patrons Mr Kalifa Bojang – Deputy Head of Mission of Gambian High Commission in London
His Excellency Mr Kalifa Bojang was in Bristol to represent His Excellency Mr Francis Blain, The Republic of Gambia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Given the importance the High Commissioner places on the role of Kombo Sillah Association in promoting education, social cohesion and community integration in the UK for Gambians living here, he had to send his deputy to grace this two-day affair. He would have attended the events himself if it weren't for a prior engagement. Mr Bojang arrived in Bristol on Friday to witness the display of colourful “Asobis” to traditional drumming among other cultural activities. He was to spend the night in Bristol to also attend the Netham Park all day party on Saturday, including a football tournament where he opened the tournament, taking the kick off. Mr Bojang, we thank you for being with us in Bristol to celebrate our culture and to raise funds at the same for our charitable objectives.
Sainabou Mballow Jawara (Chief Guest of Honour): Although Sainabou could not attend the events in person, she delegated her family to step in and represent her at the Cultural night. We are grateful for your answer to our invitation as Chief Guest of Honour. Kombo Sillah Association appreciates your generous donation.
Aja Senghore (Special Guest): Aja from the Yorkshire city of Leeds was accompanied to the KSA Cultural Weekend by Rohey Bojang, Jabou Sonko and Njemeh Bojang. Kombo Sillah Association appreciates your attendance and thank you for the very generous donation to help us raise the much needed funds for our charitable activities of supporting our members in need.
The Denmark Connection: Kombo Sillah Association is blessed to have the company of the Denmark devas of Kumba Danso, Ndey Binta Jawara, Arra Fatty, and their friends Lawratou Bah and
Mariama Colley Jammeh for coming all the way from Denmark as Special Guests of Honours for the 2018 Cultural Weekend. In the face of despair, you guys gave us HOPE and belief that KSA is in good company. Your attendance and generous donation were priceless! You have a special place in the history of Kombo Sillah Association and this is just the beginning of a very long friendship. Our thanks and appreciation roll out to your host Kaddy Camara and family for taking good care of you while in Bristol.
Aminata Faye-Manjang (Surprised Guest of the Night) from Stockholm, Sweden: The super Jaliba fan is a household name when it comes to help in the Senegambian community in Stockholm. She reserves a special place in her heart for Kombo Sillah Association. Thank you for standing by KSA.
Yassin Darboe (Lady of The Night): The Bristol based “Diriyankay” did not disappoint when she arrived with her delegation as our Lady of The Night. They say charity begins at home, therefore choosing you as Lady of The Night was the right thing to do and we are ecstatic you have answered to our call and donated very generously to our cause. Thank you Yassin and your entire delegation.
Yamusu Jobe (Chief Patron): Born and raised in Gunjur, Yamusu Jobe who lives in Newcastle flew into Bristol purposely to answer to the invitation of KSA as the Chief Patron. Kombo Sillah Association appreciates your company and your generous donation. Fatou Sanyang Koringba (Special Guest): Fatou was our Special Guest from Scotland. She was unable to personally travel to Bristol to answer to the invitation of KSA due to some prior engagement. That however did not stop Fatou from ensuring that she support KSA financially. Kombo Sillah Association appreciates your generous donation.
Ngenar Gboy Jassey, Kadijatou Bah Jammeh, Bakoto Darboe, KSA appreciates your kind donations and attendance as patrons too. We are ever grateful and wish you the all the best. Your attendance and support will continue to be a part of the KSA history that will live in memories for a very long time. To our other invited guests who were unable to attend due to reasons beyond your control, we appreciate and acknowledge you for simply agreeing to be our patrons but could not attend this time. We are equally indebted to the following members whose businesses supported us in this venture: Paradise Express Services Ltd. Of Mr Baboucarr Manjang donated the brand new Baboucarr Jatta memorial trophy that was competed for by four football teams. He also donated the medals as well as being part of the tournament organisers. Thank you Babou and Paradise Express for always standing by KSA. Dream Party Decor and Crown Fashions: Amie Jarjue has supported Kombo Sillah in a decoration that was fit for kings and queens. Thank you, Amie and Dream Party Decor, for your usual patronage.
Halcon Centre Tauton: Thank you to Mr Kevin Mellor and his team for the wonderful and delicious cakes for our special and invited guests. We are truly grateful and hope for a lasting relationship for years to come.
Anything Media Langley: our sincere thanks to Muhammed Langley of Anything Media for a fantastic job covering the events with breath-taking photos and videos throughout the two day event. Kombo Sillah Association appreciates your work. The Entertainers Thank you to all the performing act: Jamojamo Arts (drumming), DJ Lamin France and the master of ceremony, Mustapha Jammeh of Sky Power FM. We are thankful to SKY POWER Radio and Gunjur News Online for live coverage of the Friday night cultural display. We are grateful to the following football teams and their managements for taking part in the Baboucarr Jatta memorial tournament: Newport Senegambia Association FC, Gambia Bristol selection and Kombo Sillah FC. Congratulations to Kombo Sillah FC. for winning the competition.
KSA Members Thank you to all the Kombo Sillah Association members from across England and Wales some of who travelled hundreds of miles to come to Bristol in large numbers to make this event a resounding success. Special thanks also go to individuals and families in Bristol who played host to our visitors. The organising committee Finally, but perhaps the team that deserves the special commendation, is the 2018 Cultural Weekend organising committee. You guys rock and thank you for all your hard work in making this event such a wonderful experience and got it trending on social media. Thank you to each and every individual of this team and all the event volunteers and anyone who contributed to the success of the cultural weekend. Thank you to Iso Manjang and Aminata Barrow for stepping in to provide the catering for our guests. The food was lovely.
To the outgoing KSA Trustees
And last but not the least, all of the success of the 2018 Cultural Weekend may not be possible if it weren’t for your discipline, foresight, vision and dedication to project Kombo Sillah Association. From 2015 to date, your selfless endeavour and desire to build a KSA based on sound financial and institutional foundation made it easier to pull off a fantastic cultural weekend fundraising event that got everyone talking. From 2015 to 2018 under the leaderships of Lamin Boynding Touray and Buba Kason Barrow, KSA has seen tremendous progress both financially and institutionally with annual turnover in excess of £24,000. Kombo Sillah Association today stands very tall and proud to be pacesetters in our work as a registered community based charitable organisation that seeks to promote education, alleviate poverty, and cultural education aimed at advancing and cementing social cohesion and community integration. All of this with the support of the members makes KSA a model Gambian diaspora community based organisation in the UK.
May God bless you all for what you have done for KSA. God willing, see you all again in Bristol next year for the 2019 KSA Cultural & Fundraising Weekend END
KSA Secretariat
Tel: +44 7402 419024
Email: secretariat@ksa-uk.org
Web: httsps://www.ksa-uk.org