Family World International donates didactic Materials to children in Mutegene, South West Region of Cameroon
3 min read
On the 4th of September 2023, schools will resume after a long-term holiday in Cameroon. Education has been severely affected in the North West and South West Regions of the country as a result of the ongoing armed conflict in the Region. Since 2016, armed separatists have continued to call for a school boycott while threatening and attacking school facilities including teachers and students.
To contribute towards the promotion and protection of the right to education, Family World International has been at the forefront of campaigns aimed at encouraging the stakeholders to allow for safe school resumption come the 2023/2024 academic year in Cameroon.
As part of their campaign strategies, on 2 September 2023, Family World International visited Mutegene, a locality in Tiko municipality of the South West Region of Cameroon to donate didactic materials and educate beneficiaries on the effects of drug abuse, Sexually transmitted diseases and the importance of education. At least fifty (50) pupils and students gathered in Dorcas Orphanage to receive their gifts (didactic materials) and lessons from Family World International.
The founder of Dorcas Orphanage Centre, Mme Mounangue Zanenkone welcomed the team from Family World International and expressed gratitude for the humanitarian gesture. Mme. Mounangue also highlighted that the children present were willing to learn that she has interacted with most of them. She further asks the children if they are aware of their rights. Some children listed the following as their rights, the right to leisure, the right to education, the right to food etc.
Introducing the event, Mme. Takoh Marceline, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Family World International thanked the orphanage for accepting to partner and gather students and pupils for the back-to-school campaign. She also expressed appreciation to their partners and the supportive staff who accompanied the organization including volunteers and interns. She proceeded to share some pieces of paper wherein the pupils and students were requested to write what they wanted to become in future. The majority of the beneficiaries expressed their interest in being medical doctors and nurses while some expressed their interest in occupying prime ministerial positions.
The first Presenter, Esther Nzele spoke on the importance of education. According to her, education is a human right and children should be able to freely and safely go to school. The session was very interactive as she engaged participants in discussions. While answering a question, one beneficiary was of the opinion that for them to study safely, they need to be attentive in class. Esther reiterated that the building of churches and drinking bars around the school is forbidden and that such facilities around school premises should be discouraged.
The second presenter, Abigail Ngalami dueled on the effects of drug abuse especially among students. In the course of her presentation, she cautioned the students to be vigilant while highlighting the effects of drug abuse including madness and misbehaviour. She asked the beneficiaries to name some bad or illegal drugs. Many of the students named Marijuana, cocaine, tramadol and overdose drug consumption. While addressing the issue of drug abuse, she also educated the beneficiaries on sexually transmitted diseases. According to her, some of the drugs can be injected and there is a possibility that STDs can be transmitted through injections
At the end of the event, didactic materials were distributed to the beneficiaries including textbooks, exercise books, pens, pencils, rulers, and erasers. A beneficiary speaking to HRLRC expressed satisfaction and thanked Family World International for the gifts ‘’I am very happy that my mother will not have to struggle to buy my books again’ the beneficiary said while speaking to HRLRC.
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
