By Bakah Derick
Bamenda based not-for-profit nongovernmental organisation Strategic Humanitarian Services (SHUMAS) Cameroon turned 25 years old this Thursday 21 April 2022. In an outing to observe the Silver Jubilee, the Director General of SHUMAS Cameroon, Mformi Ndzerem Stephen Njodzeka reminder the workers, partners, supporters and stakeholders of the organisation at home and abroad of the passionate commitment conferred to them as a team to serve humanity diligently as captioned in the vision: "for a One World and Sustainable Development."
"From our humble beginnings, SHUMAS has contributed enormously in development in the fields of Education, Agriculture, Humanitarian Response, Women Empowerment, Health, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Environmental Protection, Gender Based Violence and Protection, Shelter Program, Livelihood Program, Nutrition, Volunteering and Social Welfare. All these 14 programs provide eminent level of support to people’s needs and requests in order to build health, wellness, and self-sufficiency in order to trigger impacting impulses in development." Mformi Ndzerem Stephen writes on the organisation's Facebook page
According to the Director General, the journey traveled successfully in the last 25years is as a result of support received from around the world.
"SHUMAS has not been alone in this journey for the past 25 years. We have enjoyed warm partnering and sponsorship from various donors across the world who gave us surmountable trust and confidence because of the goals we yield. From United Nations Agencies like the International Organization for Immigration – IOM, UNICEF, FAO, WFP, UNDP and WHO to scores of other donors and partners of the world like Plant a Tree in Africa - UK, Future in our Hands - UK, Manos Unidas- Spain, SWISS- MIVA, AID Camps International, BUILDING Schools for Africa- UK, Spreading Health- UK etc etc we have strived through our expertise and experience to realize 240 Projects in Cameroon. We have also built the capacity of many Associations, Churches, Mosques, and Civil Society Organizations working for the betterment of livelihood in this part of Africa. This success story is enhanced by the bilateral cooperation and friendly atmosphere of work provided for by the Government of Cameroon." The Director General noted
"Our perspectives took higher heights for the last 6 years when we focused on people living in crisis stricken areas. This is within the context of the ongoing armed conflict in North West and South West Regions of Cameroon. The last six years has made us to be proud to be one of the leading aid organizations in Cameroon, helping people whose lives are shattered by conflict or disaster survive, recover and gain controls of their lives." He adds
Mformi Ndzerem Stephen has also used the Silver Jubilee observance to celebrate his staff and volunteers while praying to God for protection.
"We cannot end without commending and congratulating our staffs and volunteers who brought us to this stage for the last beautiful 25 years. These brave men and women are on the frontlines in some of the world’s most dangerous places — often ignoring threats to their own health and security in order to rescue and serve humans.As Divine Mercy Sunday approaches, we dedicate our staff that are working in the field and facing these challenges courageously. Inspired by their strength, resilience and dedication, I hope you’ll join me in thanking them for the sacrifices they make and the critical work they do day after day." He writes
Started in 1993, SHUMAS Cameroon is a development Non Governmental Organization focused on integrated sustainable rural development. Legalised on April 21, 1997, SHUMAS in 2013 was granted the status of a Non Governmental Organisation. The charity currently has special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The organisation works in the areas of health, education, water and sanitation, social welfare, environmental protection and management, women empowerment, agriculture and volunteering. To benefit from their projects, the need must be expressed by the community after which she establishes the degree of need and decides in a nondiscriminatory manner to fund.