Build a Home for 34+ Street and Vulnerable Youths

The project for the construction of a new center for street children and youth in difficulty is jointly carried out by the associations AGAPE and SOLENCA. The French association SOLENCA (SOlidarité Enfance Cameroun) is the main partner of the AGAPE association. The two organizations are multiplying their meetings and strategies in order to mobilize the necessary funds for the construction of the future AGAPE Center.

About AGAPE

The association AGAPE and its members are also working on how to generate funds for this project. As a result, it approaches local companies and multinationals, to deposit files presenting the project in order to hope for their participation through funding. It also approaches companies involved in the production and distribution of construction equipment, such as: hardware and cement works, so that construction equipment can be delivered free of charge. And on this subject, we already have 7 500 000 FCFA which is 13 471 USD and 2 tons of cement, waiting for other donations. Also popular are shops that offer household equipment, in order to equip the future Center.

Among the strategies adopted on the side of AGAPE, we have the organization of a fair foreseen for the month of December. In addition to this, we plan the organization of a concert, at the end of which the entirety of the funds collected will be oriented for the construction.

In this search for funds, AGAPE is also trying to forge new partnerships. This is the case of the last one, signed between the association AGAPE and the association Missions Values. Missions Values is an association devoted to the education and training of young people. It includes a number of organizations and projects. It commits itself to provide funding for the construction of the new Center, for the follow up in the education of young people, and to become a social antenna in Belgium to name but a few.

 About SOLENCA

The SOLENCA association, which finances the lease of the AGAPE Center, also helped finance the purchase of the land. Today we are talking about the construction of the new AGAPE Center and the SOLENCA association is committed to providing some of the funds needed to carry out this project. It gives its full support and does not hesitate to volunteer to interest people belonging to various trades in France, so that they can also contribute their contributions and expertise to the extent possible. This is the case with architects and building contractors who participate in the project through their analysis, suggestions, guidance and advice.

To achieve this, the SOLENCA association relies on the organization of various events and activities of which it has the secret. It is the case of Baume au Cœur, the toy market - childcare - clothing, craft sales, refreshment and catering, the Christmas market ... SOLENCA already has 48 500 € which corresponds to 57 158 USD and is still waiting for possible subsidies from the Micro Projects Agency (AMP) and other companies.

Between 6 and 19 of this month, the president of the association Solenca (Daniel Toffel) was in Cameroon for a short and intensive work stay. It was a question of meeting the potential builders, exchanging with them on our needs and conveniences, visiting the various infrastructures they have carried out, in order to evaluate together the best proposals. Things went well and Daniel was delighted with his stay, in his opinion, very positive.

Links:

• http://agapecentre.org
• http://www.missionsvalues.org/
• http://www.facebook.com/AGAPEAssociation

       The AGAPE Center and its youth had a series of important events during this second quarter of the year. Between the accession to higher education and success at official exams, the fair organized by Soleil Partage Cameroun, the charity cocktail of Zik 4 All (Save the Music), the performance of the theatrical play at the Goethe Institute in Yaoundé and The spring market to name just a few.

       The AGAPE association collaborates with other associations and organizations. This is the case of the Soleil Partage Cameroon association, which fights against poverty and militates in favor of sustainable development. The association is currently working on the rehabilitation of ‘‘L’école publique des Garçons de Bonapriso''. To this end, several meetings were held, with the participation of AGAPE, to organize the fund-raising fair to continue the project. The young people of the Center AGAPE were thus put to contribution on May 3, playing the role of monitors of the various workshops during the fair at the American school of Douala. We were able to appreciate a great sense of responsibility on their part.

       Among the extra-curricular activities offered to the young people of the AGAPE Center, we have music classes. The association  Zik 4 All, which volunteers these courses, wanted to celebrate the AGAPE Center and the New Destiny Orphanage, as well as all the young people to whom they teach music courses. This is done through the Save the Music event, punctuated by various musical performances by young learners and young Cameroonian artists. The aim is to sensitize both to the cause of the sensitive layers and to generate their generosity for the support of the two organizations and their projects.

       Finally the 17 June! The big day arrived for the AGAPE centre youth. Because winning the discovery prize in the theatre category, they went to Yaoundé and it was at the Goethe Institute that they performed their play. It was a short but pleasant two-day stay in the political capital of the country. The youth were exceptional and their remarkable acting touched the audience. Some people even confided that they acted as well as, if not better, than professionals. They were able to share some pure moments of happiness during which they were able to strengthen the bonds that unite them. And it was, above all, an extraordinary experience that will remain forever in their memories. These youth are definitely ready for a national and international tour! Click on this link to see some clips from the show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTANCzWVhaM

       The AGAPE Centre took part in the spring market on 3^rd June in the Eneo gardens in Bonanjo. AGAPE had a stand and displayed its various products (chips, ‘‘foléré/bissap’’ and baobab juice….) and much more. It was also the opportunity to talk about the association, the centre and its activities.

       The holidays have begun and it’s time to breathe, have fun and say goodbye to the pressure of the last nine months in the classroom. It is with this in mind that Julie, a professional hairdresser and owner of a hair salon in France, offered to come and cut the youth hair on 12 June, giving free rein to their imagination. Julie also showed her support for the centre by organising a hairdressing day, at the end of which the profits were donated to the AGAPE Centre.

       On the 12^th June, Barakah got a year older and she wanted to share this happy moment by spending a part of her day with the AGAPE youth. In the same week, she decided on 17 June, to make the music video for the song ‘‘Je m’accroche à lui’’. It was a great day of filming and everybody was able to see that making a music video is not as simple as it looks, with it needing many takes. All in all, everybody was happy. 

Links:

• http://agapecentre.org
• http://www.facebook.com/AGAPEAssociation