Sulayman Sambou *25.11.1969 +07.05.2024
It is with deep sadness that we bid farewell to Sulayman Sambou, Sol, who passed away unexpectedly on May 7, 2024 after a short, serious illness.
In Sol, Heinz has not only lost a long-standing friend and valued colleague, but also an important, central employee of the DBO in The Gambia.
Sol, the son of the village shaman, and Heinz met back in 2006. At the time, Sol was still working for another NGO and was following his calling to improve basic medical care in The Gambia. Together with Heinz, Sol developed his own version of an infirmary on his family property in Gunjur. The proceeds from the rally enabled the DBO to finance the construction and maintenance of the infirmary.
For the rally participants, a visit to the infirmary as part of the project presentation is a highlight, as they can see on site how their donations are being used. At the infirmary, Sol, as a local who knows the traditions, addressed the topics of sexuality, health, hygiene, circumcision, contraception, puberty and vaccinations, which are not talked about in society or in school lessons. He is not only involved in our facility, but also imparts his knowledge in the surrounding villages and schools.
In addition to providing a wide range of basic medical care, Sol’s heart beat for football. For years, he was the chairman of the local football club “Gunjur United”, before whose games the players met on Sol’s property.
In the fall of 2023, the NGO was able to lay the foundations for Sol’s vision of a maternity ward to complement the medical services. Sol was proud to see the construction progress of the maternity ward, which is about to be completed and inaugurated.
Sol, who everyone describes as extremely helpful, fond of children and humorous, leaves behind a wife, two small children and a large family.
But what happens next in Gunjur?
Mariatou, Sol’s wife, together with the nurse Marie and the temporary doctors from the DBO, would like to continue running the infirmary in Sol’s spirit until a local doctor is found.
Heinz and the DBO will continue to support the search and Sol’s life’s work as a friendly partner.
With deepest sympathy
Heinz and Aaron, with the entire NGO team and all sponsors
