Child sponsorship update from Douala, Cameroon

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Douala, Cameroon from Winter 2008.

Built in the Bakoko township about 2 kilometers from the weighing office on the highway Douala - Yaoundé in the town of Douala Wouri division, in the Littoral Province, the SOS Children's Village of Douala is the second project of SOS Children's Villages Cameroon.

With a total area of about seven hectares, the Village has 50 children who are orphans or partial orphans or born from mentally ill mothers and abandoned to themselves. Their ages ranges from 02 to 12 years. Three (03) of them are enrolled in 6th grade of secondary education, thirty-three (33) in primary schools and nine(09) in the SOS Nursery School. The five (05) others have not yet reached the required age. A primary school cycle of 210 seats, a nursery school of 75 places and a social medical supports the Village.

In 2008, after files scrutiny submitted to the Admission Committee which met twice, this committee made up of representatives from the Ministry responsible for children in difficulties, the court and those responsible of the organisation, only 11 children met the criteria of admission and were welcome at the Village.

As the first children who arrived last year, they were subjected upon arrival to a complete medical check up and a systematic updating of their immunisation schedule by the Chief Physician of the Mbalmayo SOS Social Medical Centre. Of course, several cases of body diseases, and malnutrition have been identified and treatment /diet administered. Their integration into the village and in family houses was particularly smooth. No negative reaction was observed, the SOS mothers spared no time in the organisation of the welcoming ceremony.

Growing up at Douala, Cameroon

Regarding the results of the school year, children of the SOS Children’s Village of Douala recorded a success rate of 100% in the First School Leaving Certificate and the common entrance examination.

For other classes of primary education, the success rate was 68% thus 17 cases of success for 25 pupils. These results are positive, but we can not lose sight that many of our children have some problems to adjust with school. A follow-up at home by school level under the guidance of aunts was organised and a psychologist consultant has consistently supported the efforts of the SOS mothers and the entire teaching staff.

The SOS Children's Village in Douala received the visit of the Assistant Secretary General of KDI for Africa and the Middle East on 18 March, hosted on April 22 Provincial Delegates of the Environment, Tourism, Social Affairs and Traditional authorities on the occasion of Earth Day ceremony where a planting of shade trees funded by donors was held.

In addition, the launching ceremony of the activities marking the celebration of the 18th Day of the African Child in the Littoral province took place in the structure under the chairmanship of the Chief Administrative and Legal Affairs, representing the Governor of the Province in the presence of administrative authorities, Municipal, Traditional and several Provincial Delegates.

During the International SOS Day, the first to be celebrated in the Village of Douala, a football match pitted the Village staff and the youths of the township, on June 23, the surrounding community (children, young men and women) shared with the children and staff of the Village moments of happiness, joy and entertainment.

Events at Douala, Cameroon

All the women actively participated in activities to celebrate the 23rd edition of the International Women's Day and especially in the big parade of women organisations in the city. In addition, on the occasion of the 122nd Labour Day, all employees of SOS in Douala took part in the procession organised by the workers.

In 2008, the SOS mothers were trained to dyeing fabrics and training for fish smoking. In addition, the Director of the Village, social worker and a representative of the mothers took part during a training workshop on the Core Position Paper.

The Director took part in the training on Communication and the Regional Seminar of SOS Children’s Villages Directors and school Directors on the theme ''SOS Children's Village and SOS schools together for the implementation of the Rights of the Child.''
On the cultural front, our children at all events of the life of the Village (welcome the Assistant Secretary General, Earth Day, Day of the African Child, SOS International Day) presented songs, ballets, sketches, traditional and modern dances.

Two groups of local youths came to celebrate with our children during the Youth week in February for one another at the end of May as part of entertainment.

As for excursions, our children went to discover the banks of the Wouri and its various attractions visited the Douala naval base. For school holidays, some children remained in their natural families. In addition, a summer camp together with 32 children in the Community aged 05 to 10 years and 35 of ours, were framed during a month in 3 workshops :

♦ upgrading school

♦ dance and theatre

♦ culinary

Given the scarcity of water in the vicinity and the lack of pipelines to the provider of water, the SOS Children's Village of Douala Opens one of its taps drilling to the inhabitants of the community every morning and evening to allow them to fetch drinking water.