Kumbo Kids: February 2017

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Back From Cameroon

I was in Cameroon from December 21st, 2016 to January 30th, 2017. The people are happy and sad at the same time. They are happy when they have something to eat for the day irrespective of which time they can afford it. They are happy to receive little gifts here and there. But these people do not know why there should be a government, or what the government does for them. Are they protected; are there jobs for them? Some go to the extent of asking whether education is of any use. They depend only on their farms for their livelihood.

It is on account of this that I envisage three major projects for Nkanchi village: the building of a bridge that leads to their farms, continuing with the completion of the health center, and to build a bigger Church. I shall explain these with pictures later on. What has this got to do with paying fees for kids?

In a way, all these projects are connected. The building of the bridge will help their parents to continue to sustain the family with food because I cannot afford all that the family needs. The building of the health center will help the students and parents to be treated when they fall sick. Of course, they need to be healthy to go to school. The building of the Church will take care of their spiritual needs. Students in a Catholic school need to learn how to worship God and do so properly.

The people receive some clothes happily

The students, together with their parents, were able to receive clothes donated from the US and shipped to Cameroon. They express their sincere appreciation. The people off their prayers for the intentions of the donors. We try to encourage them to pray always to keep them aware that they too can become generous in the future.

Mission Statement

The “Help Cameroonian School Kids” initiative is an outreach program for the underprivileged and vulnerable children living in the most interior and remotest areas of the diocese of Kumbo. The goal: to help children get an education.

We intend to provide the tuition, books and fees necessary to allow these children to attend school. By completing and furthering their education, the children will be able to bear witness that education brings light to a community. Impoverished families may see that education improves the standard of living, allowing people to acquire decent jobs and work towards achieving economic self-sufficiency.

In order to create a sustainable program, the community itself must also acquire certain basic skills such as: 1) Development skills where those who achieve higher education give back to the community and help to promote progress; 2) Initiative skills that teach resourceful and creative problem-solving; and 3) Technological skills to manage ever-changing innovations. To this end, we intend to create a Community-based Collaborative Group in each village involved in our outreach program. Each Group would be comprised of trained men and women who will disseminate information and dispense the available help to the children in need.

We realize that initially classes may need to take place in temporary locations. However, with the support of our donors and in collaboration with the local community, we hope to aid in the construction of durable school buildings where learning may take place. With the help of God, we pray and bestow our blessings upon all those who will support this venture.