Diaspora Urged to Give Back as Sunu Reew Bridges Gambia’s Healthcare Gap

By: Kebba Ansu Manneh

Victoria Lissong Richards-Ohwotu, Founder and Executive Director of Sunu Reew Medical Mission (SRMM).

Victoria Lissong Richards-Ohwotu, Founder and Executive Director of Sunu Reew Medical Mission (SRMM), has issued a powerful call to Gambians living abroad to take ownership of their country’s future by giving back, warning that relying on outsiders risks “selling” the nation.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Alkamba Times (TAT) on the sidelines of a medical screening exercise for the management and staff of Bakadaji Hotel, Richards-Ohwotu, who has lived in the United States for nearly three decades, stressed the importance of the diaspora’s commitment to national development, particularly in healthcare.

“Never forget where you’re from because nobody will take care of your country more than you,” she said. “If you think other people will come and take care of your country, then you’re selling your country to other people. And then don’t complain when your country doesn’t have respect because all of you have sold your country.”

Victoria Lissong Richards-Ohwotu, Founder and Executive Director of Sunu Reew Medical Mission (SRMM), pictured in the middle with her team of medical volunteers.

The mission has organized numerous health fairs, medical screenings, educational workshops, and community engagement programs across the country. Through partnerships with local and international healthcare professionals, volunteers, and community leaders, SRMM delivers medical outreach, wellness initiatives, education, and advocacy.

The organization boasts a multidisciplinary team comprising physicians, pediatric specialists, vascular surgeons, anesthesiologists, chiropractors, wound care specialists, infectious disease experts, physiotherapists, nurses, therapists, and public health advocates—all dedicated to improving healthcare access and outcomes for Gambians.

In a recent milestone, SRMM facilitated the donation of a 40-foot medical container to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH). The container was filled with essential medical supplies and equipment to strengthen healthcare delivery and support patient care nationwide.

Richards-Ohwotu’s message resonates deeply at a time when many African nations grapple with brain drain and limited public health resources. Her work exemplifies how diaspora communities can drive meaningful change by channeling skills, resources, and passion back home.

SRMM continues to invite committed individuals to join its efforts, reinforcing the idea that true national development begins with citizens—both at home and abroad—who are willing to invest time, expertise, and resources selflessly.