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| Mayor Fongu at MISSPA Orphanage |
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| Mayor Fongu Cletus after gifts with beneficiaries |
Wednesday September 24 2014, could be described rightly as “a
giving day” for the Bamenda III sub divisional Council. The Mayor Fongu Cletus Tanwie led council
began the giving day with the handing over of white canes and crouches to
persons with sight and walking difficulties respectively. The handing over
which took place at the reception of the Bamenda III Council gave Mayor Fongu
an opportunity to extend a word of encouragement to persons with these
difficulties. According to the Mayor, these gifts are meant to meet their
specific mobility needs which will intend support them get a means of livelihood.
While regretting that the items are small (only nine) compared to the persons
in need, Mayor Fongu pleaded with the donors (Ministry of Social Affairs) to
increase the quantity when next they think of such an offer. On behalf of the
Ministry of Social Affairs, the Chief of Social Affairs Bamenda III subdivision
explained that, the donations fall with the ongoing decentralization process in
the country. She promised to transmit the Mayor’s request to her hierarchy.
In appreciation Eric, blind, (not a real name) on behalf of
the beneficiaries thanked the Bamenda III Council and the Ministry of Social
Affairs for the gesture. He pleaded with both structures to consider a
microfinance scheme that will assist them do some petty-trading which to him is
more sustainable and life supporting.
Amongst those who showed up for the event was Koti Joseph 2nd
Deputy Mayor to the Bamenda III Council who assisted in the handing over exercise.
From the council premises, Mayor Fongu Cletus accompanied by
Stella Munde, Public Relations Officer of the Council visited the MISSPA
Orphanage and Holy Spirit Nursery and Primary School in the outskirts of Mile 5
Nkwen. On arrival the management, staff,
Children (orphans) led by Raphael Renjifo Reina Representative and son of the
Founder, treated the Mayors Delegations to a very warm welcome. On behalf of the Orphanage and the school, Mr
Philip Ndifor thanked the Mayor for his visit. The over 130 children who lined
out to receive the Mayor expressed visible signs of joy when the Mayor’s car
was opened for the emptying of its content. Amongst the items were dresses,
cartoons of Soap, and some food stuff.
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| Raphael Renjifo Reina MISSPA |
Peter and Mary (not real names) some of the Children, in
appreciation prayed for God’s blessing on the Mayor. Like the children, Raphael
Renjifo Reina Representative and son of the Founder, was appreciative. Telling us
the story of the orphanage, he explained that their current location was gotten
thanks to the benevolence of the Fon of Nkwen who gave them free land after he
saw them “ managing in a very small place”.
Raphael further detailed that, they have
been surviving thanks to the support from some NGOs out of the country and the Government
of Cameroon which gave them permission to start a school for the children. He concluded
that finances have remained a major problem as the number of children
practically orphans continue to increase.
The Mayor’s delegation was then taken in a tour round the
Orphanage and school during which he had a first-hand view and appraisal of the
living conditions of the children. Mayor Fongu Cletus promised his support for
the orphanage and particularly for the children beginning with the grading of
the road to center as soon as rains subside.
Due to the sensitive
nature of the content, the names of some individuals have been changed.