Maria Caspani

NEW YORK (Reuters). Volunteers from Gambian Youth Organization, located a block away from an apartment building that was the victim of a weekend fire, sort through piles and take food, clothing, and drink to the shelters.

Volunteer Amara Touray stated that they came together as the entire community was our family. She spoke to Amara while members of the Latino and African communities in the area, many of them with their children, brought in large donations. “All of us are affected. Not just the Gambians. But everyone.

According to Eric Adams, New York Mayor Eric Adams, many of those who set fire to the Twin Parks North West 19-floor building were from Gambia.

On Monday, neighbors gathered at Masjid Ar Rahmah (a mosque located near Twin Parks North West). Haji Dukuray was a Muslim Gambia native who arrived in America in 1988 to study. He recalled his niece and her husband, as well as the three children of the couple, which all perished in the flames.

Dukuray, who is 61 years old, stated that “We believe strongly that you are from God and go back to God.” That’s the one thing we as a family hold onto.

Dukuray stated that the Twin Parks North West Building has served as a hub for West Africans. Some still refer to it as “Touray,” in honor of Abdulai Touray. Dukuray stated that Touray served as a father figure for younger Gambians in the 1980s wave of immigrant immigration.

Dukuray declared, “This is our cornerstone in the community.”

He spoke of a group consisting of taxi drivers and tradespeople, who went from not having any mosques to now having eleven. Dukuray stated that he started his career as a busboy and is now the director of operations at an Italian restaurant chain.

He stated, “It’s the American dream story,”

Dawda Fodera, Gambian ambassador to the U.S., said that Monday was his trip from Washington, D.C., back to New York in order to get more information about the fire, as well as to express condolences to President West African nation.

Fadera stated, “This is extremely unfortunate. I believe I can say that most of the victims appear to have their roots in Gambia.” “Our country currently is in shock.”

Adama Bah (33), a Gambian Youth Organization volunteer, described the Bronx as diverse with many residents hailing from West Africa, other African countries, and a large Latino population.

Bah stated that the Gambian Youth Organization, which offers services such as weekly food pantry and other support, has been in operation since 2002.

The group has started a GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/relief-for-families-at-333-e-183rd-st for displaced residents, raising over $500,000 in relief support, far exceeding their goal of $200,000.

Red Cross offered emergency housing for 22 families including 56 children and adults. Additional displaced families could also be accommodated through friends and family, or community support.