Safe Center for Vulnerable Children in Douala

     The second quarter of the year at the center was particularly marked by the passage of Daniel, president of the association SOLENCA and the outing at Parcours Vita, resumption on the exchanges and teaching on the word of God with Philippe of the Centre Culturel Biblique and the visit of Jean David. Then, Chloe presentation and the visit of Judith. Finally by obtaining the building permit and the end of school year results.    

      Daniel, president of the Solenca association, pay us once again in April. He came to make some purchases of Cameroonian handicrafts, which they used to propose during the various events in which they participate. This is to help the association and the AGAPE Center. He has thus benefited to show us the support of their association. And since it was the holidays, he proposed an outing to the young people at Parcours Vita. They were happy.

     Mr. Philippe, promoter of the Centre Culturel Biblique, thought it would be wise to share the word of God with the young people of the center. Beyond all that we can bring to them with the support of our many volunteers and partners, it is also essential to talk to them about God and what he expects of us, in a world in the grip of a serious crisis of morality and values. Thus, every Friday afternoon, he comes to talk for an hour with the young people. The latter find this teaching very interesting.

     Jean David is a Cameroonian painter. He met the AGAPE Center and its young people during the year 2014. This is how he decided to contribute by introducing young people to painting. Taken by his many occupations, he did not have enough time to continue with the young people of the center. However, he remained very close to the center and even offered three paintings to be auctioned during the gala. We were really lost for a moment, but he did not forget his little brothers AGAPE Center. He wished to introduce them to his family and especially made a big deal for them by coming up with all these provisions.

     Chloe comes to the center when her schedule allows, to meet the young people and offer them lessons or small activities around learning English. But this time, she wanted them to discover her country. This is how she was able to prepare a nice presentation of her Scotland. The youth traveled and immersed themselves for a short time in the landscape and Scottish culture.

     Judith is a young lady who worked for the AGAPE Center for nearly a year and a half. She worked there until summer 201, with love and all her heart. One day, the principal of the primary school where the little ones go, told her: "the way I see you working and taking care of these young people, I hope that you will have enough energy afterwards to take care of your own children. She always thinks of young people and when she passes in the corner, she does not hesitate to pass to say hello and to take the news. On May 4, she was blowing on one more candle, and she decided to spend part of her day with the kids at the center. She brought back some friends with whom she organized to pack a package to the youth center. It was a nice moment of exchange and sharing.

     The long-awaited building permit is finally available. AGAPE now has all the legal elements, in order to begin the construction of its new center. And this is thanks to you all who from near or far, we support you. We will start very soon, and we hope to be able to count on you until the completion of this project.

     They are good overall. The young people worked verywell. Of the 17 regularly enrolled at the beginning of the school year, 14 go to higher class, one dropped without completing his school year. Oliseh continues to stand out very positively. He was first of his class from the beginning to the end of the school year, with 15, 46 as annual average. He received awards at the closing ceremony of the 2018 - 2019 school year. Among those that passed, we have one CAP in electricity (Papi), one BEPC (Loïc) and two failure (Aude) probatoire and Alex from one.

Links:

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

     The year 2019 has peacefully begun at the AGAPE Center. In fact, it began as it ended. In peace, health and good mood. This first quarter of the year at the AGAPE Center was first marked by the renewal of UCB's support, by the donations of Mr. Guy and Mr. Patrick, and by the beginning of Chloe's English lessons. Then began the reading rehearsals, with a view to the preparation of the event of 1 ^er Juin des écritures théâtrales jeunesse. We had a visit from Nikita, but also the Delivery of equipment for the electrification of the future center by Addax Petroleum Company. This first quarter of the year was finally completed with the visit of the Littoral, Regional Delegate of Social Affairs by the participation of the AGAPE Center at the marché de printemps 2019, by the coordination meeting organized by the Littoral Regional Delegate of Social Affairs and by the second quarter results of youth. We also have Diane Din Ebongue's short film link.

    UCB has been with the AGAPE Center since is beginning. Thanks to her, the young people of the center always have a snack after the return of the classes, since with the flour which she gives to the center, one can prepare them tasty donuts. They also have the opportunity to refresh themselves with these drinks that are available to them. The UCB company has therefore resumed its ritual of providing the center with flour and juice for the benefit of the children.

     Mr. Guy is a native of Ngangué district, where the AGAPE Center is located. Mr. Guy, on holiday in Cameroon, wished to express his solidarity and support to the children of the center. He made contact with the center through his friends, who then accompanied him for a visit and the delivery of some packages.

     The young people and the AGAPE Center have always had the chance to benefit from the services of volunteers, able to provide them English lessons. Chloe is very busy, but makes the effort to the extent possible, to be present for young people.

     Last year, comedian artist Mogoun Jeannette, accompanied by the Compagnie les racines, organized this event that has been taking place in France for almost 4 years, and every 1st of June in some countries of the world. Mogoun Jeannette launched the movement in Cameroon, and intends to perpetuate it. She is doing it earlier this year, and the young people from the center who had already participated in the first edition, are still very happy to be able to participate again. It is about giving or giving back the taste of reading to young people and to all those who love reading. But this time, in a theatrical, poetic, satirical tone, through staged and role plays.

     Chloe heard about the AGAPE Center, and when she first set foot on it, she was seduced by the project, the kids and the structure. She decided, as far as possible, to give lessons and carry out activities in English with the young people. She does not miss either, to share her experience of the center to those surrounding her, who also, begins to express his interest. As was the case with her husband Alain and her friends Claire, Seyma and Nikita now. Nikita wants to get involved and help as best she can.

     The company Addax has expressed its support for the project of the construction of the future AGAPE Center, taking charge of the estimate related to the electrification of the new building. This is how the electrical equipment was made available to the center's managers. And thanks to the help of Mr. Aliyou, friend and fervent defender of the AGAPE cause living near the construction site, we were able to store this material at his home. This so that it is immediately accessible, at the start of the project.

    Mr. Patrick is a neighbor of the AGAPE Center. He came to greet the young people and bring them some clothes. They were very happy. Each donator manifests his support in his own way.

     In her round, the Littoral Regional Delegate of Social Affairs stopped at AGAPE. It was a very friendly moment of exchange, during which we were able to discuss some problems related to our activity. The Delegate and her audience took note. We received encouragement from her to continue working closely with his services. She also reminded us that we are important partners for the state, through our work.

    The marché de printemps is a popular event organized each year by ADFE French World Douala. It is a sharing event with the inhabitants of Douala, inspired by the French garret and the "great spring cleaning". This market facilitates the resale and the purchase of second-hand objects, less expensive and allows all to discover the artists, the craftsmen and the associations which animate the city of Douala. We have proposed some tasty homemade products, such as: plantain chips, foléré/bissap juice, baobab and jam.

     The Littoral Regional Delegate of Social Affairs organizes once a semester, coordination meetings. These include the departmentals delegates and districts social affairs, but also the various public and private structures working in the social field. This is to bring the different parties to meet and discuss the multiple topics related to their targets, their difficulties, but especially for the monitoring and evaluation of various resolutions taken at previous meetings. As well as for the updating and to become operative in some procedures.

     Just started, it's already the end! Reaching at the end of the second quarter, it is time to do the accounts and to know who is in the right tempo and who is not. This in order to react and save what can be in the last turn, before it is too late. But overall, the results are average. It is status quo for some and improvement for others. Young people have understood the importance of this support and are doing their best.

     Although the broadcast continues its course in France, the short film directed by Diane Din Ebongue, with the participation of the young people of the AGAPE Center, the Haoussa students of the association Sabon Kallo and the douala Ndola Christo choir, is already available on You Tube in through the following link: https://youtu.be/XZ2gazenZcQ.
Have a look, and you'll be impressed!

Links:

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