Reports
VISIT TO RHEMA GRACE ORPHANAGE
DATE: 16TH JANUARY 2011
Introduction:
Members assembled at the venue (opposite Plasticam Mutengene) at about 2:30pm. A total number of
nine members were in attendance. DIVAS members were warmly welcomed by Reverend Mary Ayuk,
her collaborators and the children.
Prayer was led by one of the sisters of the orphanage. After which Rev. Mary Ayuk went further to
give a background history of the orphanage. The orphanage was founded in April 1998, by Rev. Bate
Tataw Mercy. Total enrolment of children is seventy eight (78) of which sixty two (62) are internal while
sixteen are external. These external students carry out activities like mechanic and weldering etc. The
age composition of the children is between one day old and twenty years. For the students who study,
internally arrangements have been made with specific teachers, and lectures are given daily. Two of
the students are in the University of Buea. Aside from formal education these children also carry out
extracurricular activities like farming, petty trading etc.
CATIGORIES OF ORPHANS
Ø 100% orphans i.e. both parents are dead.
Ø 50% orphans i.e. one the parent is alive but the child is a handicap.
Ø Abandoned children.
Ø Handicap parents e.g. impaired vision which is sometimes hereditary.
PROBLEMS FACED BY THE ORPHAGE
Ø Shortage of food i.e. a bad of rice is consumed for three days.
Ø Insufficient foodstuff provided like plantains, cocoyam and yam.
Ø Shortage of water and electricity and the use of a generator as a source of power has not been
constant since fuel cannot be afforded regularly.
A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS WERE PUT FORTH BY THE LADIES
Question: Considering the large number of children, how does the authority of Rhema Grace meet up
with the day to day needs of the children?
Answer: The orphanage has a church group abroad that provides assistance to the group from time
to time and also families who give assistance to the group monthly. There are also other philanthropic
groups like DIVAS who provide assistance to the orphanage from time to time. A philanthropic Ladies
group in Douala recently built a boys’ dormitory for the orphanage. Sometimes the authorities of the
orphanage move to different institutions to seek for assistance but none the less assistance to the group
is still not sufficient because of the number of children in the orphanage.
Question: Can individuals adopt children from the orphanage?
Answer: Yes but it is a long process, which will entail legal proceedings. In the present, individuals can
identify children from the group and assist them. They could also take them for week –ends after the
relationship has been cordial.
Question: Can groups sponsor children from the orphanage?
Answer: Yes.
In response to Rev. Mary Ayuk’s presentation Miss Mankaa Ambe on behalf of the group, said it is quite
a pleasure for the group to be present here today, she said the group has taken note of the problems of
the orphanage, and in our own small way we shall contribute to reduce the problems of the orphanage.
The group promised to include the orphanage in their calendar of activities for next year.
PRESENTATION OF ITEMS DONATED TO THE GROUP
The following items were presented; a bag of rice, gallons of palm oil, toilet tissues, a carton of savon,
beans and clothing for the children.
The ladies sang and danced with the children and members departed at 4: pm.
A REPORT ON DIVAS ‘S VISIT TO THE BUEA PROVRNCIAL HOSPITAL ANEX
ON THE 17TH OF SEPTEMBER2007
Cameroon is one of the Sub Saharan African countries plagued with numerous social problems caused by economic hardship. It was recently qualified as one of the poorest, and included in the list of heavily indebted poor countries initiative. Considering that poverty is a relative concept, not all Cameroonians families are found on the same poverty level. Reality reveals that strikingly poor families and wealthy families find themselves in Cameroon. While some families are able to afford education and health for their kids, some families can not boast of three square meals basic education and good health. It is with this in mind therefore that DIVAS, a CIG, initiative needs driven projects like assisting the underprivileged with basic health care and basic education.
The above mentioned, families in line with one of the main objectives of DIVAS, which is to lend a hand to the underprivileged in our society, therefore took the group to the Regional hospital annex.
Before the visit, the group had contacted the director of the hospital, Dr Chuangang who confirmed that the hospital had desperate patients who could not afford for their needs not to talk of medication. He welcomed and appreciated the idea of DIVAS’ visit, saying that the hospital gate will always be open to them. The gifts DIVAS was offering were necessities and patients will be glad”. He said.
A committee set up by the general assembly of DIVAS was sent to sample the neediest patients, while another committee was charged with buying toilet tissues, washing soap(tablets and powder) Vaseline. The sum of 100,000FCFA was withdrawn from the treasury to this effect.
On the 23rd of June, 2007 at exactly 10.000am all members assembled at the hospital premises ready for the visit. All the hospital wards were visited in turns. Prayers said and the above mentioned gifts offered to all patients present. At the end of the day we left even the most serious patient with a smile on the face and hope in heart.
It is worth mentioning here that the group would have loved to go further to provide medication but for their limited finance. So, we left desperate patients there still waiting for DIVAS next soft touch. A soft touch that will come fully with external support, “your support.”
The group’s next stop was at GS Bonduma Group 1 and 2, a local government school in the Buea municipality.
Together let us reach out to the less privileged.
A REPORT ON DIVAS’ VISIT TO ARCH MUTENGENE
(REHABILATATION CENTER)
Arch Mutengene is a Rehabilitation Center located in Cameron, in the South West Region and precisely in the town of Mutengene. It is owned and managed by the Catholic Church in Cameroon. It is as a result of DIVAS, continuous quest in assisting the underprivileged with basic health care and basic education, that Divas decided to give a helping hand to the Handicaps in Arch Mutengene.
A budget of 100,000FCAF was ear marked for this project. The visit took place on the 4th of May 2008. Members assembled in the Center at about 3,30pm; there was a warm welcome from the attendant of the center although the Rev. Sister Leonarda Tubuo, in charge of the Center was out of town.
This was closely followed by a word of prayer by a member and later a speech from the attendant. She explained some of the worries and difficulties of the Center, which includes the need for more tricycles, which are a measure means of movement for them, food stuff and other basic necessities. This was followed by a speech from the president of DIVAS she responded that the pleas of the center tie in with DIVAS objectives, therefore the group promised to help the Center in their own little way. Songs of praise by both parties followed and then the presentation of gifts, like rice, palm oil, toilet tissue, washing soap and cloths were offered. The group took snapshots with members of the center and ended the day with prayers. The handicaps and the staff were so pleased and said they look forward to another opportunity like this. The two parties exchanged welfare greetings and parted ways.
A RPORT ON DIVAS’ VISIT TO THE BULU BLIND CENTER (MILE 17 BUEA)
The center for the Blind is situated in the South West Region of Cameroon, precisely in Buea. The center has been in existence for quite some time now. The group in their continuous quest for assistance to the needy decided to stretch their arms to the blind children in Bulu.
A budget of 50,000 FRS was voted for this project. This visit took place on the 8th of February 2008. Members assembled in the Center on Sunday at 3:pm. The representative of the Director welcomed the ladies on behalf the Center. A speech was presented by the head of the blind children; this was followed by singing, and news presentation. DIVAS ladies joined the blind children in singing songs of praise to God and in some of the songs they thanked God even for their blind State. By dancing and singing with the children DIVAS ladies in a way made them forget their blind state. From the writing on the hall which says Treasure every life, value every blind person, DIVAS is trying to live up to expectation in the little they came to share with the impaired.
The founding President of the group, Miss Arah Oben was quite pleased with the numerous talents and skills which the children exhibited, she encouraged them to continue in this light, and on behalf of the group she promised them that the ladies will always be there to give them a helping hand.
Farewell greetings were exchanged and the ladies promised to be back.
VISIT TO THE BUEA GENERAL HOSPITAL AND GRACE OF GOD ORPHANAGE
5TH OF SEPTEMBER 2009
As a result of the group’s continuous quest to assist the needy, the groups embarked on more projects before the end of the year. A budget of 350,000 FRS was allocated for this twin visits. In an effort to cater for some of the needs of the in patients of the Buea general hospital, the Director of the hospital was contacted by the group to find out what is the pressing need of the patients at that time. From the findings the group decided to donate benches to the hospital.
This is because DIVAS ladies who usually visit the Buea Regional Hospital Annex realized that at times patients who usually visit the hospital especially on Monday mornings usually lack chairs to sit on. Members assembled in the hospital premises at about 2:pm. A total of seven benches were donated to the hospital. The Director of the Hospital Dr Mbome showed a lot of gratitude for the gesture from DIVAS, he encouraged the ladies to continue in this spirit of giving.
The group then moved to the Grace of God Orphanage foundation, situated at Bonduma Buea. The authorities of the orphanage and the children welcomed them in their mist. Here the group donated mattresses, food stuff, cloths and bed sheets. The owner of the Orphanage thanked the group for this kind gesture, and she said it was the first time that her Orphanage is benefiting from assistance from any group. Indeed she was quite delighted with the gesture and said she will personally commit the DIVAS in prayers for God to replenish their source. The ladies joined the children in singing praise to God, and finally bid farewell to them at 6: pm.