Build a future for children in a conflict zone

Four staff from Reach Out NGO visited the Mah Di’s orphanage on Friday October 11, 2019. The aim of this visit was to donate basic household items and pay the school fees of some children. The following items were donated:

• 30 cartons of soap each contain 48 tablets of Savon
• 30 mosquito nets
• 10 baby’s Poo pot
• 10 drinking rubber cups
• 25 20 L buckets.

When we arrived at the orphanage, most of the children were in class studying. The Founder and some of the smaller children and the class on break welcomed us by singing songs and some recited short poems for us. We were given the opportunity to visit the children in class and get to talk to them briefly on our mission to the orphanage and the usage of the items brought. ‘’We feel delighted to receive you today and we are very grateful for these items you have brought’’ said Joy, a 10-year old pupil. The project of the school is expanding with 65 children from the neighborhood enrolling to study there. “Thanks to the enrollment of other children from outside, the orphanage is able to meet its objective to carter for the less priviledged’’ said Mah Diana, the Founder. We then preceded to hand the items to the Founder and some of the younger children who were on a short break.

We were made to understand that the orphanage is now referred to as “Mah Di’s Center for Children in Distress”. Despite the successful running of the school, the orphanage is in need of support to adequately pay the staff monthly and funds to increase the number of staff from one teacher to two teachers per class. They also still need a lot of support to cater for the children in the community as the orphanage now assists a blind lady by name Bih and some vulnerable persons.

We were taken to the project sites and the number of pigs have reduced from 35 to 25 due to an epidemic but the founder said they are hopeful to sell the remaining pigs in December to make up for the lost encountered.

500 birds were bought in the poultry farm and within a short period, they were sold and more birds and feeds were bought. So far, the poultry farm is expanding and Charles, the oldest orphan, has taken complete charge over the farm ensuring that all goes well. The orphanage is one of the biggest suppliers of chicks in the neighbourhood.

Unfortunately, the orphanage had seven cows but some died before it could be sold, just about 4 were sold. According to the founder, they experienced some losses.

The bigger children are in charge of cultivating the vegetable farm which they sell when the market price is high and consume internally when the price is low.

These income generating activities still remain one of their biggest sources of livelihood. Particularly because given that with the on-going civil war visitors who use to donate gifts have reduced their visits. The founder was so happy and extended her gratitude to REO and its partners, and prays God to continue to bless the entire team for the endless support to see that the children are happy. She said thanks to the items donated, she will divert the money she could have used to buy the items to buy other necessities for the children

REPORT ON MAH DI’S ORPHANAGE AND FATHER’S HOUSE ORPHANAGE.

Pictures belong to Mah Di´s Orphanage.

Context: For three years now, there has been a shutdown on schools in the South-West and North-West Regions of Cameroon. However, some schools continue, and both orphanages are struggling to home-school their children in a safe environment. That is why you can read this is one of the main concerns in both homes.

1. Mah Di’s Orphanage

Mah Di’s Orphanage has been very effective and functional within the last months. In July, they spent averagely about 600,000frs (about 1,000 $) for food, medication, staff cost, bills etc. The children were able to eat at least three times a day. During this holiday period, the children have been attending workshops on trades such as tailoring, welding, hairdressing and cooking, especially the bigger children. This practice keeps them busy and prepares them to manage their households in the future. Two female children who succeeded the Advanced Level General Certificate Examination (GCE A/Level) wrote competitive entrance examinations to enable them enter the public service.

As far as this up coming school-year is concerned, the founder has already put in place certain measures to enable all the children go to school for free. An extension of class five has been added at the school in the orphanage to accommodate all age groups, and six teachers hired for ten months to teach Primary school. The founder was able to apply to the Ministry of Social Affairs to take care of the school fees of the children in secondary school. They now need more benches in the class room to accommodate the growing population.

The orphanage is clearly still under pressure these days. The building is tight and cannot accommodate all the children. This is partly because of the absorption of some displaced children as a result of the war. There is thus, a need for expansion. Due to this tight space the hygienic condition of the orphanage is deteriorating from its standards. The current toilet cannot accommodate the growing population. Also, the children don’t have the space they need to feel free around the house.

Fishery, piggery, poultry, farming and animal husbandry remain their main sources of income. Within the month of July and August, they had a profit of 250,000 FRS only from the poultry. That same period, 25 pigs and piglets died as a result of an epidemic bringing some loses to the orphanage, just ten pigs survived, which is more than usual for an outbreak of the African Schwine Flu, and shows good livestock management.

The children have also engaged themselves in farming of vegetables, corn and other food crops. They use proceeds from these farming activities for their up-keep and part for home consumption.

The orphanage has a high need for mosquito nets at the moment. They equally need bed sheets, assistance to extend the orphanage building and general assistance to pay workers and running costs. Most of the children in the orphanage need pullovers especially as it rains much and it´s chilly this season.

The founder of the orphanage thanks the partners immensely for their continuous support and assistance to the orphanage and she prays the almighty God continues to bless you.

2. Father’s House Orphanage

Thanks to your support, this orphanage has been very functional in the past months. The children are able to eat three times a day, unlike before when they couldn’t afford three square meals. The orphanage is now involved in selling fresh fish to make ends meet. They buy fish for 42,000frs and sell for 58,000frs within a period of two weeks. The palm farm project which used to be one of their main sources of income has been discontinued since the rents expired and it was not renewed. The ongoing conflict makes it dangerous to go to the farm and the prices have dropped too. They are now engaged in the rearing of pigs which is a lucrative business in that community. The founder is positive with this piggery business and she believes that in the nearest future it will generate much income for the orphanage.

During this holiday period, the children have been involved in workshops and other training classes to keep themselves busy and occupied. As far as this new academic year is concern, the founder is very worried concerning the fate of the children due to the Anglophone crisis. She is worried on how the children will cope with the current threats against school resumption. But despite this fear, she promised to hire teachers that can teach the children at the orphanage. For those in secondary education, she promised to send them to areas where schools are going on. As compared to the previous months, the orphanage living standard has really increased. The hygienic conditions have improved as they are now able to afford toilet tissues, pads and other basic necessities. “I am very happy and comfortable now as compared to the other months, we are able to eat three times and sometimes even four times. My major problem now is the fear of not going to school but in case there is no school at all, I intend to do business in order to better my future. Thanks to you the donors we have a future to look up to’’ said Zebulan, one of the children.

However, the orphanage still faces challenges of lack of matrasses and other basic household items, they are hoping that well-wishers and donors like you will continue to reach out to them. Mrs. Commy, the Founder of the Orphanage is thankful to God for keeping them alive and her gratitude equally goes to REO which remains the lone local partner of the Orphanage, and to you, the donors for not giving up on them as others have.