Transforming the lives of women farmers:REFELA provides a borehole to Pakaliba women

A powerful symbol of empowerment and resilience now stands in the heart of Jarra Pakaliba, where a newly inaugurated borehole is transforming the lives of women farmers and their families. The water source, funded by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in The Gambia, was unveiled by Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe, President of REFELA, in a ceremony that celebrated both progress and promise.

The borehole is dedicated to the women’s garden, a vital space where local women cultivate crops to feed their families and generate income. For years, these women toiled under the weight of water scarcity, walking long distances to fetch water for irrigation. That burden has now been lifted.

“This is not just about water,” Mayor Lowe declared. “It is about dignity, health, education, and economic freedom for our women. It is about keeping a promise to listen and act.”

The project is part of the “Water for Women in The Gambia” initiative, a grassroots campaign that aims to provide sustainable water solutions across the country. In Jarra Pakaliba, the impact is immediate and profound. With reliable access to clean water, women can now expand their gardens, improve crop yields, and invest more time in their families and businesses.

“This borehole means a young girl can stay in school instead of helping her mother fetch water,” Mayor Lowe said. “It means a mother can grow more food, earn more income, and protect her children’s health.”

The mayor expressed deep gratitude to the Chinese Embassy for their support, and to the local leaders and community members who helped bring the project to life. “Your trust fuels my determination,” she said. “This is a shared victory.”

As water flows through the garden’s channels, so too does a renewed sense of hope. The borehole is one of several constructed across the Lower River Region, each one a testament to the power of community-driven development.

Mayor Lowe pledged to continue the work, breaking down barriers and building up opportunities for women across The Gambia. “This is how we write a new story for our nation,” she said. “One garden, one borehole, one empowered woman at a time.”