A Donor helps wipe the Tears off the eyes of 55 less privileged kids in Mankon on the 11th of September 2022
After having observed the essential activities carried out by COEDEM during its first Back to School Project in Bafut, a donor decided to fund the assistance some of the less privileged children who had been identified by CODEM in Mankon - Bamenda, precisely in the community of Mukwebuh.
As can be seen from the pictures, the children were so happy and expressed their THANKS both to the organization and the donor. They also promised to be of good behavior and concentrate and perform well in school.
It should be noted that so many of these kids are still at home because of lack of means to go back to school.
In preparation towards this project, a series of activities were organized to ensure its realization as follows;
Activities planned
- Meeting with the quarter head and some of his counselors, parents and guardians.
- Sensitization on the importance of some beneficiaries on the materials to be distributed and the donors.
- Identification and registration of IDPs, OVC and less privileged children.
- Distribution proper
Meeting with the community stakeholders:
A meeting was organized by COEDEM with the community stakeholders. The aim of the meeting was to present COEDEM to them and make known to the quarter leaders, parents and guardian of Mukwebuh community the activities of COEDEM. This was important because due to the socio-political atmosphere, COEDEM needed to make them aware of her apolitical stance. They further talked to them about the activity they had at hand for internally displaced children, orphans and vulnerable children come Sunday 11th of September 2022 and the source of the material they would be distributing. The leaders appreciated the initiative of the organization and applauded their idea of choosing Mukwehuh for the maiden activity. They expressed a worry about the constant lock downs and ban on schools. They complained of their children not even able to read or write despite their advanced ages. They also complained of lack of funds to sponsor the children since the crises has affected their main activity which is farming and petty trading for this is what was helping them generate income to take care of their children’s school needs, health and nutrition. .
Preparation and packaging
The activities of the day began with CEODEM members who preparing educative messages with key notes on cardboard papers to facilitate presentations to the children who came. Messages on the importance of peace and social cohesion, the importance of education, the Rights, Responsibilities and values the beneficiaries and the young learners should uphold as good citizens.
Children were welcomed and arranged to sit according to classes and materials were packaged in respect to their various classes from primary one to six and secondary from forms one to three. An appreciation message was boldly highlighted to draw the IVCs and IDPs attention to the grate support from COEDEM partnering with donors.
Distribution of material proper
The program for distribution followed immediately after the interactive discussions and educative talks on the above mentioned topics. The secondary students were given a package of 80 leaves exercise books, blue, red and black pens, pencils, sharpeners and erasers. The upper primary were given same with an inclusion of school bags, the lower primary were given books, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, colors and school bags. The team was divided into two groups. There was agroup to share lectures and ensure registration and a group of distribution. A total of 55 children were reached out to amongst the 85 identified.
