Gambian First Aid Trainer
Commonwealth Point of Light 76. Omar Badjie
Omar Badjie, representing The Gambia, has spent 20 years providing lifesaving first aid training to thousands of people and leading public health campaigns to combat the country’s high levels of Polio, Meningitis, HIV, and Ebola.
Working with The Gambia Red Cross Society, Omar leads workshops in schools and community centres across the country where a shortage of doctors makes it difficult for people to access health care.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, presented Omar Badjie with his Commonwealth Points of Light award at the Commonwealth Big Lunch as part of her official visit to The Gambia, Nigeria and Ghana (pictured below).
Omar Badjie said:
“I am truly and deeply honoured to receive this award. It is an even greater honour to know that the little things we do for our communities pays off and is recognised. This award reminds me that sometimes we do not really know how the work we do impacts our lives and the people we serve. I was convinced by my mom to join the ‘Red Cross’. I did join and I fell in love with the movement and the work we do every day to see that the most vulnerable and affected families are reached out to. However, I feel this award is more appropriately deserved by the people I have worked with, who have coached and guided me and are still in the service of addressing humanitarian needs and achieving our vision towards ‘alleviating humanitarian needs through the power of humanity’.
“This award will be a constant reminder that there is a lot to be done and there are a lot more vulnerable people that need our services.”
Sharon Wardle, UK High Commissioner in The Gambia said:
“I am delighted that Omar has been recognised through the Points of Light award. His dedication and over the past 20 years as well as his determination to focus on the needs of the most vulnerable members of society makes him a truly worthy recipient.”