Disaster Response Cameroon Project #35655

Emergency Funds For Displaced Families In Cameroon

by John Retreat Foundation International USA Inc (JRFIUSA-INC)

Project Report | Feb 3, 2023
Update: Emergency Funds for Displaced Families

By Giddy, Celine, Sam, Bertrand, Rose | Project Leaders

BHO Honoring our JRCCA Founders

Greetings To Our Donors and Supporters;

Kudos to our Human Resource Departmet, Women Empowerment Team and our Governance Council for actively devoting their time and energy on activities this quarter that put a smile on the faces of many happy children of IDPs who have been victims of the on going Civil crisis in the English speaking NW Region of Cameroon, Africa. Our NGO is a grassroots organization that derives its legitimacy from its constituents and beneficiaries or communities they serve based on development needs and organizational priorities and goals. We are happy to report that our volunteers were busy putting a smile on the faces of over 500 children throughout the five zones that we serve in the English speaking NW Region of Cameroon in Africa. Each of our five zone directors contacted their SNT Chairperson for the names of churches and organizations working with children to determine if they wanted to participate in our Toys For Tots Program. Several organizations submitted proposals with the number of children that they wanted to provide this opportuity to participate in during the holiday seasons. We were able to fund all of the organizations who responded to our call for action to put a smile on the faces of children who were experiencing the ordeal of living through a civil crisis and who may not have had the opportunity to enjoy the holidays as children around the world.

Also in November, 2022 we were able to provide funds for a hot Thanksgiving meal for over 500 children and adults to be able to share some time fellowshipping with each other including some individuals who are still hiding out in the jungles because they are afraid to return home because of the civil war. The Thanksgiving celebration was spreaded throughout our five zones. SNT Chairpersons submitted proposals from organization who requested to participate. A special celebration was held at our BHO headquarters for staff and family members and some invited guest. This tradition of providing a hot meal for our IDPs begin more than five years ago when the IDPs had to leave their homes for a safe place to stay. Many of the IDPs escaped with only the cloths on their back and were able to settle in the Capital City in a make-shift shelter. They were able to give thanks to God for their safety and a hot meal.

We were also able to provide hospitality funding for some individuals to be able to go to a hospital and receive some medical care for various illiness and broken bones. Many people do not receive medical attention because they do not have any income and are unable to pay for medication and hospital care. We received notes of appreciation and thank you for our being able to provide some financial help which allowed them to be able to go to a hospital for some limited services and support. We continue to grow in our ability to help IDPs who have been displaced because of the ongoing Civil coflict in the English speaking area of the NW Region in Cameroon, Africa. We have received a small grant to help farmers purchase seeds so that they can grow crops to feed their families and maybe sell at the market to buy supplies needed by their families. We have requested that Zone Directors from each zone have their farmers submit proposals for seeds for their gardents. The funds will be distrubuted equally to each zone in order for us to provide some limited services to our farmers who are on the bottom of our economic scale.

Since our last report, the BHO team in Yaounde, the Capital City, has been working very hard preparing themselves to be sponsored and inducted into the Internatioal Rotary Club of Tyrone, GA-USA. The President of the International Rotary of Tyrone, GA-USA has invited volunteers of JRCCA to become members of an International Satellite Rotary Club in Cameroon. Members of our organization have been working with our host and supporter via zoom to become familar with the International Rotary Club's Four Way Test, Objectives of the International Rotary Club and the 20 reasons why we should become members of the International Satellite Club of Tyrone GA-USA in Cameroon, Africa. Currently the International Rotary Club in Tyrone, GA-USA is going through the registration process for new members and we were informed this week that our host, the International Rotary Club of Tyrone, GA-USA will performed an induction ceremony for our new members the first week in March, 2023. This is great news for us because our membership in the International Satellite Club of Tyrone GA-USA in Cameroon, Africa will provide us with more services and resources and expose us and our needs to people around the world who are in a position to assist us with our goals and mission to provide humanitarian services to our people in need. We welcome and accept help and support from this impartial, neutral and independent international organization whose humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims and to provide them with resources and assistance world-wide.

The establishment of the International Satellite Rotary Club of Tyrone GA-USA in Cameroon, Africa will bring development closer to the META people in 28 villages in the English speaking region of Cameroon, Africa by providing them with knowledge and awareness of rights, to empower and to enable them become self sufficient in business enterprise or job creation and development, to guarantee sustainable development as visioned by our founder the late Pa John Ticha for whom the volunteers are busy planning and making arrangements for the second Memorial Celebration at the Guest House, Bee Sancutary and Flower Garden in Zang Tabi, Cameroon, Africa. The IDPs will be given the opportunity to find ways to help pull themselves up by their boot straps and build a life and future for their children for generations to come.

We invite and encourage our donors and supporters to continue to reach out and support our IDPs as they are struggling to get on their feet and return to their way of living prior to the onset of the Civil unrest. Any amount that you contribute to supporot our program for IDPs is not to small or too little. Every little bit will bring joy and smiles on the faces of so many people who are victims of the Civil unrest. We thank you for all past, present and future donations and support.

Sincerely,

BHO Team

Permalink

Oct 11, 2022
Updates On Emergency Funds For Displaced Families In Cameroon - #35655

By Bertrand, Ni Reuben, Celine, Giddy and Dr.Sam | Project Leaders

Greetings To Our Donors, Supporters and Sponsors;

The past period started on a good footing with members ready for action and to correct the errors from the previous period. There have been a workshop from the Women Empowerment department training the IDPs and other members how to prepare a traditional meal which will help them start up a small restaurant to earn a living, we also educated them on how to write a petit project and strategies to start a small business and finally health education. The organization through its IDP Director will be organizing another workshop from the cultural department on how to produce an authentic traditional dress with a case study called “Danshiki”. This workshop was scheduled to take place on October 8th 2022. On October 4, 2022, we welcomed three New Members into JRCCA in Zone 5 ( One from BaliTribe, NWR, one from Bakossi Tribe in SWR and One from Moghamo) in Douala, Cameroon. On October 7, 2022, we received a new member from Zone 5 in Yaounde, a student graduate from the Catholic University in Buea.

The Organization submits the following as their report: On September 8th, we started by updating and reminding everyone on policies and procedures of JRCCA in which we posted on the forums "Here, we learn, teach and share ideas. We also have Our SNT and Regular Business Meeting every Tuesdays and Wednesdays respectively. You are invited to attend. Open to the public. Our JRCCA NGO Staff and volunteers at Branch Head Office (BHO) in collaboration with our sister Organization in Tyrone , Georgia , USA , JRFIUSA 501(C)(3) world HQ in Tyrone, scheduled and met with the Representative from the Ministry of Social Services at BHO office in Yaoundé during an Educational, training and awareness workshop. This was an opportunity that gave everyone the chance to have frank and open discussion with the representative who advised us on how to ensure that our NGO is registered with DO of District 6 Yaounde and we are working on a partnership collaboration with other ministries like Basic Education etc. The Workshop ended with a Q&A and was well attended. Greet meeting and assistance from the Ministry of Social Services in Yaounde Cameroon. JRCCA Team Presented its Vision, Mission, Goals and Objectives, its Structure, flow chart made up of 5 zones focused on helping on working with indigeneous people in remote villages and communities in all 5 Zones . Bottom line is to create Jobs and Employment to help combat hunger, promote food security and serve on health and sanitation projects to make life better for all.

The JRCCA Team at BHO has also joined with Rotarians in Yaoundé and JRFIUSA in the USA to create a Satellite International Rotary Club in Nsimbock. The JRCCA/JRFIUSA Team is also working with the Garden, a group of good people from the Sillicon Valley in the great State of California USA to ensure that JRCCA NGO enforces all it's policies and procedures to include the enforcement of discipline measure on any one who breach the peace and order reigning in the JRCCA NGO which is an auxiliary of the Cameroon Government. September 10th, After our deliberation with the BHO Team, we contacted the Secretary at the Social Service Center of the Social Affairs Ministry. who attended to us when we visited to request from him when he could visit us. He told HRD Monday 12th was good and that as he had told us, we are to take charge of his transport and report typing fee. The Secretary was overwhelmed with our vision, Mission and objectives. He further encouraged us to get a particular tagged in which we will be working with and he said he will be there to assist us in everything to see that we are on track as required by his Ministry. To the fact that we need to visit the Authorities here in Yaoundé 6, it was recommended that we go through our Acknowledgment receipt by the SDO.

On September 18th, we continued to receive leadership training from JRFIUSA Partners. We had a Great training session with JRCCA Volunteers to include assistant Housing Manager at BHO, assistant Zone 1 Director, Zone 5 Youths and Sports Director and the Chairman of JRFIUSA. Through such training members are more uplifted and prepared to carry out their task especially Moderation of Meetings, Background about JRCCA, writing Goals and Action steps etc. Takeaway from our training today to give back to others what we have learn and always organize training like this then encourage members to participate.

Through this training, we had more background information and updates such as the Thanksgiving celebration which is an event that is Celebrated in the USA annually every 24th of November and now it is being implemented here in JRCCA and in our 5 zones with indigeneous people in Cameroon. Thanks to our sponsors and sister organization JRFIUSA.Also, the Toys for Tots (TFT) every December as we receive gifts from our Sponsors and Sister organization JRFIUSA for our kids anc churches. This event are being carried out through all the 5 zones that we serve and this year we will be working with pastors so as to get with all our JRCCA volunteers in the Zones and the JRCCA World HQ Guest House American Corner in Kwojeoh Tuseh TAAH META MOMO Division NWR Cameroon, Africa. We're encouraging everyone to always join us during our sustainable Education, training, and cultural Awareness leadership Training when announced more especially our Zone Directors (ZDs) including Liberia, DRC etc, AHRDs, SNT Leaders etc.

Thanksgiving Dinner for churches. Pastor must sign request in writing to participate with number of participants by October 1, 2022. Extending the program to Liberia, Zambia and DRC with our JRCCA Affilliates in Africa. Toys for Tots for children in Churches. - Pastors must sign request in writing to participate with number of participants by October 1, 2022.

JRCCA would appreciate any donations however small to ensure that these families will enjoy a hot meal on Thanksgiving Day despite the ongoing civil conflicts because more and more families have gotten frustrated that the confilct which involved many innocent people has lasted so long without and resolution and have decided to return to their home in their village and the latest announcement by the State Department that the NW/SW Regions are still unsafe due to armed separatist activities that has led to increased levels of violence.

The JRCCA/JRFIUSA Team received good new from the JRCCA Barrister in which it was announced during our meeting same day. In his words he wrote "FROM THE JRCCA NGO Legal Dept. Good news: On behalf of the joint boards of JRCCA NGO and JRFI USA, Inc. I ampleased to notify you that JRCCA NGO Cameroon has been accorded the status of SPECIAL Consultative Status at the UN this fall and this will be a major topic in the 3rd edition of the JRCCA NGO Newsletter to be published by October 1, 2022. In this regard I wish to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the chairman and president of the joint boards, not forgetting all those who made it possible for the vision and mission of our founding father and patriarch of JRCCA and his successor to be actualized; and may his soul continue to rest in peace perfect peace. And to Him is the glory".

The meeting was very special beginning with an outstanding moderation by the president who gave the chance for everyone to give points on what wasn't discussed during our SNT meeting. Top on the points was the latest good news we received from the legal department by our JRCCA Barrister who informed the team and in his words that "FROM THE JRCCA NGO Legal Dept. Good news: On behalf of the joint boards of JRCCA NGO and JRFI USA, Inc. I am pleased to notify you that JRCCA NGO Cameroon has been accorded the status of SPECIAL Consultative Status at the UN this fall and this will be a major topic in the 3rd edition of the JRCCA NGO Newsletter to be published by October 1, 2022. In this regard I wish to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the chairman and president of the joint boards, not forgetting all those who made it possible for the vision and mission of our founding father and patriarch of JRCCA and his successor to be actualized; and may his soul continue to rest in peace perfect peace. And to Him is the glory". The chairman of JRFIUSA did an outstanding presentation on the good news from the legal department, clearly stating exactly the importance of JRCCA being granted/accorded the Special Consultative Status at the UN. The chairman also in his presentation, presented some background pictures of the guest house (World's Head Quarter) in Zang-Tabi Taah Meta Momo Division NWR Cameroon Africa, picture of the village library, picture of some Government officials who visited the guest house, current pictures of Members at the BHO who received the Representative from the social service center of the Social Affair Ministry, picture of the new ED at the WHQ etc.

In conclusion, we are still growing in our ability to help families who were displaced because of the Civil War more than five years ago, which is still ongoing. Our vision is to support our families as they choose to return to their villages and home and begin a new life free of stress from being on the run for fear of being killed if they had stayed in their villages or homes. Despite the unsafe and unhealthy conditions we are committed to make a difference in the lives of our families and friends. Thank you for your donations and support which helps us to carry out our mission and vision.

Sincere Appreciation,

JRCCA

Links:

Background information of chairman's visit to the Guest House

Permalink

Jun 18, 2022
Updates On Emergency Funds For Displaced Families

By Giddy, Celine, Bertrand, Samuel, Rose | Leaders

Greetings To Our Supporters and Sponsors;

We want to thank you for your continued support and funding for our displaced families who have been victims of Civil unrest for the past five years. The on-going continuous civil conflicts is really taking its toll on the population that has remained in the NW/SW English speaking region in Cameroon. In addition to the Covid 19 Pandemic, the ghost days have caused the most anxiety and stress for the people. On ghost days, we have to remain in-doors. We are not allowed by the authorities to go shopping or to work if we still have a job.

The security alerts from the U.S. Embassy in Cameroon only adds to the frustrations, worries and stress that the local people are having to deal with in the NW/SW Region.

Recent information circulated on social media in Cameroon calls for an increase in violent attacks in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon and expresses anger at the international community. The State Department’s latest Travel Advisory for Cameroon recommends that U.S. citizens do not travel to the Northwest and Southwest Regions due to armed separatist activity that has led to increased levels of violence. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in these regions due to current official travel restrictions. Actions to Take: (1). Monitor local media for updates, (2). Avoid crowds, (3). Keep a low profile (4). Be aware of your surroundings, (5). Review your personal security plans, (6). Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists/Westerners, (7). Carry proper identification, including a U.S. passport with a current Cameroonian visa, (8). Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance

Assistance:(1). U.S. Embassy Yaounde/Phone Number: +237-222-514-000/Email Address: yaoundeacs@state.gov, (2). State Department – Consular Affairs/Phone Numbers: 888-407-4747 or 202-501-444, (3)., (4), (5)(6),(7), (80k (9). Cameroon Country Specific Information (10) Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts(10). Follow us on Facebook and Twitter "

May 7, 2022

INCIDENT REPORT BY PRESIDENT

On May 8th 2022, The President received a call that informed her to start coming immediately to the village that her son has been seriously beaten to near death . She was further told that he was in Bamenda Town and got the information from a good samaritan. As soon as she got the information that early Sunday morning at about 8:00am, she immediately started to pack some of her things and went to the agency to book for a seat to travel to Bamenda. By 8:30am, she said, I was already at the agency and the bus took off at exactly 9:30am. When we got to the Mix Military Control Check Point (Matasm) at about 4:00pm, I was held back by the Military men because my ID Card had expired. After begging and explaining to the police men that I did not notice and that I am in a pressurised condition, they did not listen to me and so the bus I took left with my things and allowed me there at the control point. I spent some time there at that check point for about 1hr while begging other buses if they could take me to town. Fortunately for me one bus came driven by a Muslim boy took me to town where I finally arrived Bamenda town at about 7pm. When I got to the agency in Bamenda, I could not find my Bag I asked around and I was directed where luggage’s are kept. I checked but still did not see my bag meaning it was stolen. God being so kind, I accidently met with a family brother who helped paid my taxi fair to my destination at hospital round about. I headed to the hospital where my son was hospitalised being unconscious, with a big wound on his head.

The next day Monday May 9th 2022, one person came from the village to visit my son in the hospital and Narrated the whole story to me. Which in brief he said they defendants came and collected his bike and when my son saw them few days latter with his bike, he pleaded for them to return his bike but instead they held him, beat him and abandoned him on the ground where he his latter discovered by one palm wine tapper who saw him and alerted the villagers where he was immediately rushed to the Village Health Center at Njah-Etu. He passed the first night. Early the next morning, he was transferred to the Mbengwi District hospital where his head was stitched then he was finally referred to the General hospital in Bamenda where was cared for. Presently my son is in the house in Bamenda Town but goes to the hospital everyday to clean his wounds. Attach below are some pictures of my son with an opened head. We are praying for a speedy recovery for our leader's son! We pray that with your financial support that we will be able continue to help these victims of this civil war. We will continue to reach out and serve these victims in the five zones where we provide humanitarian services under very risky conditions. Thank you for your financial support to help us make a difference in the lives of the people in the NW/SW Region in Cameroon, Africa.

Caution Graphic

Respectfully Submitted,

Permalink

‹ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ›

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.