By Bakah
Derick
It was an
assembly of very optimistic young and old Cameroonians alike at the courtyard
of the Bamendakwe Fons Palace September 18, 2015 for the launch of some four
projects to be realised in the Bamenda I Council area in partnership by the
Council and the Non Governmental Organization Strategic Humanitarian Services
SHUMAS. The project that will see the construction of classrooms and supply of portable
water to areas in need attracted government attention with the senior
divisional officer for Bamenda answering present.
In an
address at the event ground, the Mayor for Bamenda I Council Caroline Bih
Bongwa described SHUMAS decision to partner with her council particularly in
the areas of education, water and health as timely. While decrying the shortage
of infrastructure for educational establishments just like portable water in
her council area, the Mayor expressed hope noting that with the step taken by
SHUMAS things will likely not be the same at the end of the project.
Bangs Grace
principal of Government Technical High School GTHS Bamendakwe like her
colleague Abongwa Eric Abongwa principal of Government Secondary School Bangshie
whose institutions will benefit classrooms and workshops assured SHUMAS and the
Council of their readiness to participate in the realisation of these projects.
The projects they opined will greatly improve the teaching learning process in
their respective schools.
"This
project will go a long way to help cut down the incidence of water borne
diseases in this locality like typhoid, dysentery just to name a few. The hospital
equipment will also better the quality of services rendered to our
clients." Nkwenti Agnes chief of center the Memdakwe integrated health center
said.
SHUMAS General
Coordinator Ndzerem Stephen disclosed that the event was to mark the "beginning
of the construction of structures at GTHS Bamendakwe and GSS Bangshie, construction
of a water supply for Mobang community and the equipping and provision of water
at the integrated health center Mendakwe."
These
projects Mr Ndzerem said "SHUMAS and their partners, Market Makers and
Building Schools for Africa, along with the Bamenda I Council and the
communities themselves, have come together to improve the situation of these communities
in education, health, and water and sanitation."
While GSS
Bangshie will benefit three classrooms a toilet block, provision of equipment,
and assistance to the school garden program, GTHS Bamendakwe will benefit the construction of two workshops, provision of
six tables and assistance to the school garden program.
In Mobang
SHUMAS and partners will construct a 15m3 water tank, two stand taps, a 900m pipeline
and two valve chambers for the community water project.
The Mendakwe
integrated health center will be provided some equipment and water will be
extended into the center premises.
While
assuring everyone of timely and efficient completion, Ndzerem Stephen encouraged
everyone to be present and work together towards a successful implementation.
Legalised in
1997 as an association and later as NGO, SHUMAS has as main focus integrated
sustainable rural development with the aim to improving lives, reduce poverty
and empowering people to meet their needs without compromising the needs of
posterity. Currently covering the national territory of Cameroon with special
target on the rural and urban poor communities, SHUMAS intervenes in areas of
health, water, education, social welfare, environmental protection and management,
agriculture, women's empowerment and others.
SHUMAS officials
say For the 2015/2016 academic year alone the institution has handed over for
use 44 classrooms with 39 more to be constructed making a total of 800 since creation.
12 health centers will be equipped this year by SHUMAS nation wide, making a
total of 30. The total of communities to benefit portable water will rise to 50
with the five new to be added this year.
The General
Coordinator of SHUMAS has maintained that " the programs are implemented indiscriminately
to benefit all communities and denominations according to their need and
participation."
Dependence
on volunteers who leave after receiving training, projects oriented funding
leading to a lack of operational costs; insufficient mobility means to carry
out projects in distant regions amongst others the Director says are some of
the challenges facing SHUMAS.
Determination,
perseverance, commitment, good governance and focus have been the key to SHUMAS's
success this far.
Community
participation has remained an integral part of SHUMAS projects as affirmed by
the Senior Divisional Officer SDO for Mezam Nguele Nguele Felix explaining why
he took part in the Bamendakwe event.