Safe Center for Vulnerable Children in Douala

      The first five months of 2020 at the AGAPE Center was peaceful, and unusually, lacking in events. It started with the outing to Tchop and Yamo, as a reward for the young people who behaved well and who had good results at the end of the first quarter. It was then marked by the participation in the coordination meeting of associations and private social works (OSP), organized by the departmental delegate of social affairs, at the Reception and Observation Center of Bépanda Omnisports (CAO). This period was also marked by the resumption of work on the new AGAPE Center in Japoma. These first five months of 2020 at the AGAPE Center ended with the Aliyou family's visit and donation; but also with the interviews in order to manage the period of stoppage of the courses and for the measures to be taken to block the road to the spread of the virus

      The year 2020 has started well at the AGAPE Center. The young people who worked well and who had an exemplary attitude during the first trimester were able to benefit from an outing to Tchop and Yamo. It is this fast food located on the other side of the city, in Bonamoussadi. The young people were very happy, especially the girls! Living close to their schools, it is not always easy for them to go as far from home. They were able to discover a little more about the city, a new district and especially Tchop and Yamo. They were delighted with this great experience. The less deserving, who often had the opportunity to go there a few times for big outings, promised to work better during the second quarter; to deserve a nice reward too.

      It is always fashionable to work closely with social services. Because they are the ones who make our actions legitimate. Ordinarily, we hold one meeting per quarter. It was the first meeting of the year. This is how we took part, as with each request from the head of the social center and the departmental and regional delegates, for coordination meetings often focused on raising awareness, debriefing and exchanges on the progress of activities on the ground, while noting the various difficulties constituting an obstacle to the proper functioning of these. These meetings are also moments of meetings between the promoters, staff and supervisors of the different organizations, who have the opportunity to share their various experiences on various subjects or on specific concerns.

      Mr. Aliyou and his wife are considered as the godfather and godmother of the AGAPE Center. They are always in contact and act behind the scenes. They thought of the young people in the center and brought them provisions on March 8. Especially a fundamental element at the moment, the hydroalcoholic gel.

      Following some misunderstandings and difficulties noted on the ground, the site had to stop for a moment, thus being considerably delayed. It became difficult to work and take a break every week, to think about how to get around a problem we were facing. Some of these difficulties even required small modifications to the plans. It was therefore wise to review the entire project, in order to anticipate, adjust and make changes to all the sensitive parts of the construction. Do not we say that: "even the best plan in the world depends on its execution on the ground ''? Work resumed during the month of March. We hope to be able to leave without major concern, until full delivery And despite the current context dominated by the Coronavirus / Covid-19 pandemic, we remain confident and optimistic, knowing that we could always count on you and on your unwavering support, regarding the supply of financial and material resources for the project, at the end of this calamitous episode.

      The government's decision to put in place some restrictive measures in the middle of March, such as closing schools to stop the spread of the virus, was welcomed by the Cameroonian people. But only the establishment of a number of measures is not enough. It is important to think about their implementation, their control and their follow-up. It was at this point that we c it appropriate to speak with the young people from the center on the one hand, and with their parents and them jointly on the other. It was a question of letting those who still do not know it know that this virus is a reality. And that is why the schools had to send the children home. It was essential to make it clear to young people and their parents why the schools were closed. To allow them to stay at home in order to limit the spread of the virus, and not for anything else (walks, playing soccer ...). To this end, we have also given young people outside the center leave until further notice, in order to avoid movement between their homes and the center. Their parents also needed to understand this, so that there were no misunderstandings, and so that they did not feel that their children had been left out of the program. After clarifying things, we focused on prevention, hygiene measures and other measures to put into practice to avoid contamination as much as possible. It was an interesting exercise, which allowed parents and children to learn about this disease, and to take care of the various recommendations made by health professionals. Finally, we have implemented one of the simplest measures, that of systematic hand washing. We all put it in practice.

       The growing threat of the virus has prompted the authorities in Cameroon, as elsewhere in the world, to temporarily close schools, training centers, universities, university institutes and professional colleges. It was out of the question to anticipate the second quarter holidays by crossing our arms and playing against the clock. But quite simply to furnish your days as well as possible, as if you were at school. It is an exercise to which the young people complied without the slightest difficulty.

Links:

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

     Given that the end of the year is a period when people are more inclined to generosity and sharing, the last two months of 2019 at the AGAPE Center, were largely marked by visits and donations. We first had the passage of Julie and Gaston of Citi Bank, of Jeannette, Falone and Judith. Then, we had the honor of hosting the association Free Vision, La chorale Sainte famille as well as Mr. Elie. Finally, First Trust microfinance and Coup de Cœur God Love association. In addition to these various events, there are the results for the first quarter and Chloe's invitation.

 Citi Bank has set up a support program for social projects. The selected organization receives funding for two years. We approached them and at the end of our exchange, Julie (chief officer of the cabinet of public affairs) and Gaston (responsible for clientele banking group financial markets and council) went to the center, in order to discover it, to see what that we do there and especially to meet young people.

     Time flies very quickly and the first quarter results are already known. Young people produce work whose appreciation is generally fair. Of the 19 regularly registered, only 11 had an average greater than or equal to 10. It took very little for most of them to have even a score of 10/20. Because there are 9.81 / 20 and 9.96 / 20. But it is clear that it is not good, and that young people should do better than that. Even if we remain satisfied with Oliseh who continues to produce a very good job. It remains true to himself, maintaining his rank as first in the class with a quarterly score of 14.81 / 20.

     Jeannette, Falone and Judith are friends who, like many people at this time of the year, wanted to show their support for children in difficulty and vulnerable supervised in orphanages and childcare facilities like ours. This is how they met at the AGAPE Center to offer these packages to young people, and wish them a Merry Christmas on December 21.

     After the first pool party last June at the end of the last school year, Chloe had promised the kids that we would do it again. The day after the delivery of the first quarter report cards, they were able to enjoy the hospitality of Chloe's house once again, as well as the snacks she had prepared for them. They were very happy, and Chloe happy to make them happy. It was Christmas before time on December 21.

     The association Free Vision visited the center on December 22. It is an association of students, who come together to carry out social actions. They are mobilized to provide support to children in difficulty and vulnerable in orphanages and reception centers. One of their activities is also talent detection and orientation. When they meet a young person who has potential in a given field, they manage as best as they can, to put the latter in touch with a professional in the targeted discipline. They chose this day to exchange and spend some time with the young people of the center.

     On the morning of December 23, it was the turn of La chorale Sainte famille to visit us. We spent a little time in praise and worship. It was good for everyone to sing and praise the eternal. When the members of this choir presented themselves, we found that in addition to the good humor and the provisions that they had brought, that they also came with skills; they offered to help our young people who have difficulties in scientific subjects such as maths, physics and chemistry. But also in accounting.

     Mr. Elie is a friend of Mr. Philippe, who offers Bible study lessons to young people in the center. Her friend lives and works in Canada. He works in the Best Seller company, which produces and sells designer clothes, shoes, for men, women and children. He wondered how he could bring a smile to the children of orphanages and reception centers in Cameroon. This is how he approached his management to share his idea with them. She appreciated this idea and gave her clothes and shoes to offer to young people from these different structures. He came to meet the center and the young people on December 24. He and his friends had the chance to meet the promoter Madam Adama, who is passing through Cameroon during the end of year celebrations.

     The AGAPE Center had the honor of welcoming First Trust microfinance workers this Saturday, December 28. When we talk about honor, it was really a great honor, since in addition to the various workers present, there were the agency head of New Bell and the general manager of microfinance First Trust. We had a pleasant time of exchange and sharing, mixed with praise. We were happy to welcome them and they, in turn, were very happy to be with us. It was an initiative of the New Bell agency that they hope to extend to the whole group, in order to be able to help as far as possible, to the most needy on a regular basis and not only at these particular times of the year. The bravest young people have successfully negotiated their internship for the next major vacation. And in addition to advice, encouragement, and a small snack, they came with large packages for the young people in the center.     

     Coup de Cœur God Love is the last visitor of the year to the AGAPE Center. Coup de Cœur God Love is an association which has existed for six years and which is made up of young workers, teachers, students and pupils. They join forces and pool their resources to help support orphanages and a youth center during the end of year celebrations.

     Regarding the start of 2020, we will say that everything is going well so far. Young people are doing well and they have returned to school, with a strong determination to improve their work.

Links:

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