Build a future for children in a conflict zone

Dear donors,

The Anglophone Crisis is shaping each project and activity in the region right now. I’m heartbroken to have to explain that, at times, children have had to run away from their houses because the conflict was too near. “Bullets were entering their dorm, so we had to go” (Mom Commy, Father’s House). On the other hand, the crisis is also an opportunity for heroes to shine. Mah Di’s orphanage has decided to host a young mother running away from conflict and her child, and we also know they have been helping many children of displaced persons, keeping them safe while their families find a suitable place. Despite all difficulties, Mah Di’s orphanage and Father’s house remain sanctuaries struggling to protect and give a better future to destitute children.

In the past 3 months, with your donations, Mah Di’s orphanage has expanded their poultry farm, bought a sewing machine and they are currently constructing a toilet. Father’s House has set up a Palm Oil business and a piggery. On their own initiatives, they are also doing amazing things. As you will see in this report from Mah Diana, they have purchased two cows to begin a livestock rearing business!

Before that, I want to remind you that this week is YOUTH WEEK, and until the 12th of August, if you sign up for a monthly donation, the first donation is doubled! Also, we are trying to find a new name for this project, if you have an idea, you can help us out here:

REPORT OF ACTIVITIES FROM APRIL TO JULY 2018 – By Mah Diana

We are very grateful for your moral and financial support to the Centre.

From the month of April to July 2018 the following was going on:

• CELEBRATIONS

a)      Birth Day Parties

Some visitors organised birthday parties and food and drinks were brought. The children enjoyed it. PHOTO

b)      The 16^th Day of the African Child

The children, alongside children of other orphanages and homes in Kumba jointly celebrated this day at the Kumba City Council Hall. On this day, Mah Di’s Centre for Children in Distress’ Authorization from the Ministry of Social Affairs was presented by the administrative authorities. PHOTO [The procedure to obtain such a document is lengthy and complicated, and this is a critical moment in the history of the house.]

• FARMING

 a)      Crops

During this period weeding and harvesting took place. There is an increase in maize, groundnut and vegetable production. 

b)      Animal Husbandry

This time the centre has added some cows, Rabbits, and sheep to the existing projects. We are able to get to this stage because you provided the means. Thank You. PHOTO

• EDUCATION

Donors, Thank you so much for not relenting your effort in this God’s service. The centre went through the 2017/2018 school year successfully. It was also because of your support. Our children took part successfully in different national examinations (Government Common Entrance, First School Leaving, Class Promotion Examinations…)

•  WORKSHOPS

The children were trained on how to prepare the following:

a)      Flour ball

b)      Pap, liquid corn

c)      How to administer vaccines to the animals and take care of them. PHOTO

•  SUPPORT

a)      Displaced Lady and son

The centre supported a lady and her six-month-old son by providing her some materials to start-up a small flour ball business. [she is a victim of conflict that has run away from other areas of Meme Division after losing everything to war] 

 b)      KUMBA PRISON

The prisoners of Kumba Centre Prison were also supported with some Materials. 

•  PROJECTS

 a)      The Poultry and Piggery Buildings are extended. PHOTO

 b)      A sewing machine was purchased for the children to be trained on how to mend their torn dresses.  

Thanks for being our providers, donors. God bless you all.

Remember, it’s youth week! If you sign up to give a monthly donation, the first one will be increased by 100%!!

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Dear Donors,

For more than a year now, Mah Diana, founder of Mah Di’s orphanage has been in charge of reporting. This is an extraordinary report to inform you of a strategic change.

We are going to update this project to cover not only Mah Di’s orphanage but other orphanages in similar situations. 

Before we dive into the why, we have to clarify something:

1) Every donation made so far will go only to Mah Di’s orphanage, that’s what you donated for.  The 3 recurring donations we have (donors who give every month) will only serve Mah Di’s. Unless donors write to us saying they are OK with us using the funds in other houses.

Now, why this change?

First, Mah Di’s is improving. Thanks to you, thanks to them, they are much much better off than when we started.

They have a school that is doing great and growing (check out expansion project). They self-generate about 20% of their income, as opposed to 4% in 2016, and have their medical, hygienic and feeding needs well covered. They pay all their school fees (for those who don’t go to the house's school) on time. They follow-up with authorities to get fees exemptions and other social benefits when possible. They still have needs, but we are beginning to see a possibility of phasing out in the coming years. This is exactly what you donated for, for them to be able to grow by themselves, and they are achieving it. Congratulations.

Second, there are other orphanages that are also in need of help. Father’s house, the second orphanage we want to introduce, is worse-off in many aspects. The house has not managed to pay school fees for many of the children, and they are at risk of being expelled. They have very limited self-generated funds. They don't have access to clean water in the house (we are trying to address right now). They have less of a standing in the community (local donations are a huge part of Mah Di’s success) since they just relocated.

Our strategy so far has been to create a separate project for each orphanage, but this has not been very effective. (This project has 175$ after a long while). We also think that having too many projects on GlobalGiving with similar thematic might confuse donors or play against our image. It is also easier to manage just one project and have the freedom to assign funds where they are most needed.

Most important, we know if we merge these projects and focus our efforts we can raise more funds. Not only for Father’s House but also for Mah Di’s. Everybody will win.

So what is going to happen now?

• Before 1 week we will edit this project to be representative of both orphanages.
• We will continue sharing with you Mah Di's reports every 3 months. But you will also receive reports from the other orphanage (Father’s House) after we help them. 
• This is going to be a very gradual process. This year you will only see these two orphanages. But we are on the look for outstanding houses with outstanding needs, and we might introduce you to new families that you can help.
• We will continue project-specific-fundraising through small microprojects, we just launched one to expand Mah Di’s school. (Here) and will be doing another one to provide a water tank to Father’s house in the coming weeks.

Our focus remains the same. 1) Provide basic support only when the need is critical. 2) Focus on big investments that the orphanages can’t do by themselves. 3) Income-generating-activities so they are less dependent on external funding in the future.

If you have any inquiry or you want to share your opinion about this move, feel free to write to me at marc@reachoutcameroon.org

So that’s it, your family just got bigger! 40 + 28!

Have a great day and thanks for everything you have done for the children

P.D: Until the 13^th of May, if you sign up for a recurring donation GlobalGiving gives us a one-time 100% bonus on it! (If you sign up to give 25 dollars every month, they will add another 25 dollars for the first donation, after you have been giving for 4 months).

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