Safe Center for Vulnerable Children in Douala

      The third quarter of the year corresponds to school holidays; the young people were able to fully benefit from them. The life of the AGAPE Center was marked by the stay of the students of Sciences Po Paris and the stay of Océane. During this period, the young people were invited to fast food Tchop et Yamo. We also received a large donation for the construction project. Marc, meanwhile, offered outings and meals to young people; while Osbert came to share his life experience with them. This period ends with the return of classes, marked by the resumption of music and French lessons.

      After the visit of Mr. Nasser, head of Tchop et Yamo, the young people of the center were invited to discover fast food. Following the tour led by Mr. Darius, they were able to appreciate the meticulous work that is done at the chain, from the order to the customer service. The young people were delighted to find themselves in this beautiful setting, and especially to enjoy the flagship menu of Tchop et Yamo, donuts-boiled beans (BHB). 

      Océane came to spend two weeks of vacation in Cameroon, has contributed to the development of youth AGAPE Center. This through her attention and some exits. She also managed to set up a online fund raising for the first two stages of the construction project for the future AGAPE Center. But it has not grown much since opening. Here is the link: https://www.leetchi.com/c/agape-douala-construction-dun-centre-de-vie-pour-les-enfants-de-rues, through which you could donate, or guide friends and acquaintances who would like to do so, to support the project. We are counting on you. Océane also wishes to continue helping young people, the association and the AGAPE Center as much as possible.

      The young ladies of Sciences Po Paris, namely Jeanne, Margaux, Laure and Nastia, also helped to liven up the center during their stay. The young people at the center had the pleasure of celebrating three anniversaries with them. Two the same day, that of Jeanne and Laure, two weeks later, Nastia's own. The young ladies listened to the young people, had fun with them, made themselves available and useful for everything. They also organize like previous groups of trainees, a small fund raising for youth support and the activities of the center. But most of all, they have created a link that we hope will lead to some form of collaboration between Tchop et Yamo and the AGAPE Center. Mr. Nasser, who is responsible for Tchop et Yamo, even mentioned the possibility of a holiday camp next summer for young people from the center who would be interested. They also wish to continue to show their support from a distance, for the advancement of this cause that we defend.
      In addition, they revealed to us to have had a wonderful stay in Cameroon. It has been a very rewarding experience for them at all levels. They will keep very good memories. They left very happy, the evening of the victory of France at the football World Cup.

      The AGAPE association and the SOLENCA association continue to work together with determination, for the realization of this construction project of the new AGAPE Center which, day after day, takes more shape. This is by mobilizing resource persons, by raising the awareness of local people and business men to support this initiative. A philanthropist who wishes to remain anonymous, showed her wonderful support for the project by offering the equivalent of the sum of 17 million FCFA. This is an important sum that will boost the project. But we always need your help and support, whatever the form, according to your possibilities (labor, supply of construction equipment: cement, sand and gravel trucks, iron bars, ducts, electric cables , supply and sewage pipes, equipment necessary for the installation).The building permit application will be deposited at the beginning of October. We are also working on the preparation of a cocktail, for the presentation of the project, to raise awareness and bring potential donors to participate in it. And according to our forecasts, if all goes well as we hope, we will be able to proceed to the laying ceremony of the foundation stone during the month of November.

      Marc is a kind gentleman who for the first time visited the AGAPE Center, during the open day organized on February 17th. He appreciated the center and what is done there. It is he who motivated the choice of Océane to come to Cameroon, to have a good time with the young people of the AGAPE Center. Whenever he had a little time on his agenda during the holidays, he did not hesitate to propose outings to the young people, and to share with them sumptuous Cameroonian meals that he could taste.

      In order to motivate young people and show them success stories, Mr. Osbert came to meet them on the eve of the new school year, to talk with them and share his life experience. This was done for over an hour, from his very first steps to school, to the present day, where he became a business leader and consultant in his field, communication and advertising. He took time to encouraged young people to work and always give the best of themselves, because even for him in his early childhood, it was not won. But he had always dreamed of being his own boss.

      Sharing of school supplies to young people, who were very happy to receive them. This is an obvious sign of returning to school. The school resumed its rights for 9 months.

      Young people who have enjoyed their holidays, have rested well and have been fully energized, are now ready for the new school year 2018 - 2019. The previous is behind them now. From now on, it is a question of reiterating, or even improving the work produced last year.
We say a BIG THANKS, because it is always thanks to you and to your multiple efforts, that they can return once again serenely to the school, and to envisage to build a better future.

      The association Zik 4 All is dedicated to making music accessible to many people, vulnerable and in difficulty. Thus the leaders of this association and the AGAPE Center, have signed a partnership, so that one of their teacher comes to teach music to young people. They learn well and enjoy these classes. This is what is offered to them as extracurricular activity. Learning music as many activities, requires rigor, discipline and concentration. Mr. Thomas shares his passion for music with young people, and tries to bring them to translate into their studies, these same essential requirements for success.

      For two years, lessons of french are provided once a week by Corinne. She came back from her holidays with a lot of energy so that she could help young people.

Links:

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

     The second quarter of 2018 took place peacefully at the AGAPE Center. During this period, the association AGAPE organized a fair in order to bring back some money in its coffers, its young people could visit the Mercy Ship, she was able to obtain the land title of her land. The center also saw important volunteers such as Antonina and M. Chris, but also received for the fifth summer in a row, students from Sciences Po Paris; and finally, the results of the school year were delivered, and the young people all worked well in the vast majority.

     The fair of AGAPE association took place as announced on May 4th and 5th, 2018, at the camp ASECNA at Bonapriso, not far from the pharmacy de Gaulle and opposite the entrance of the supermarket Casino. It did not happen as we had hoped, but we learned a lot from this event. It was a wonderful experience that the association is ready to repeat next year, but mostly intends to improve.

     On May 17, under the guidance of Corinne, the young people of the AGAPE Center were able to benefit from a small guided tour, and discover the large hospital ship that is the Mercy Ship. It was impressive ! The Mercy Ship, in addition to being a super-equipped floating hospital, is also a living space with schools for the youngest and the greatest; playgrounds and fitness for the benefit of the crew and the workers who stay there. It was also nice to see the pictures before and after, of people who had surgery. And above all to see that they have found the smile, confidence, dignity and happiness again, thanks to the multiple efforts made by the different teams of the Mercy Ship. Unfortunately, we can not offer pictures, because they were forbidden there. Big thanks to Mercy Ship who spreads happiness in its path.

     After a long waiting time, the land title of the piece of land jointly purchased by the AGAPE association and the SOLENCA association, for the construction of the future AGAPE Center, is finally available. It is with a great joy that we welcomed this news at the end of May. We believe this will further accelerate our construction project. We are currently following the procedures to obtain a building permit. But we still rely heavily on you, your help and your support. Because we also know that together, we will succeed in changing and transforming lives.

     After spending two full years in Cameroon and with us at the AGAPE Center, Antonina packed up and returned with her family to Belgium. She has done a great job for the advancement of the center's activities, as well as for the development of our young people. Thank you Antonina for your attention, your affection, your dictations, for the sporting walk with the HHH, the cinema outings and for all your many gifts. Thank you Antonina, for all your good and loyal services, as well as for all the pleasant moments we spent together.

     Mr. Chris from the American school also left Cameroon, after a short two-year stay. We also had nice moments with him. It was enjoyable to hear him speak French, especially with his American accent. We just regret that we did not meet Mr. Chris earlier. Nevertheless, he leaves us in the hands of his collaborator Nika, who will continue to link us to the American school of Douala. We hope for a pleasant exchange relationship between the young people of AGAPE and those of the American school.

     For 4 years now, the AGAPE Center has been receiving during a part of the summer students from Sciences Po Paris, who come to do a civic internship in Cameroon. This is how we welcome this year and at this moment, four young and charming young ladies named: Jeanne, Margaux, Nastia and Laure. They are progressively immersing in the world of the AGAPE Center, by participating in its various activities. This through small reading lessons (for Jean-Claude who still has difficulties), board games, petanque, cleaning, cooking recipes, but also football and administrative work. The center and the youths also had the honor and the pleasure of celebrating June 18, the birthday of Jeanne and Laure, both of whom were born on the same day. It was a nice moment.

     Time passes very quickly! We still remember the back to school and its difficult moments. The beginnings were really not obvious for some young people who could not do it. In particular those of sixth, for which the beginnings were slow. We worry about it. It was more fear than harm. But only the most serious have succeeded. Overall, it was positive. It is a real satisfaction, and the best possible thanks, to all those who work for the success of these young people and this center. We had Jean-Claude in elementary course second year and he passes for the upper class. Giovany, Alex and Dieudonne of the second year middle course missed their entry contest in first year of high school. Alex and Dieudonné had already validated their CEP (certificate of primary studies) last year, but given their level, they had to resume the class. Giovany was the only one to pass the CEP and he succeeded, thus validating his first degree in Cameroon. We had in first year of high school: Jores, Yanic, Juscare and Keye, all of whom had gone to the upper class. Oliseh in second year of high school (came out first in class with a score of 15, 49 / 20), and received many congratulations and encouragement. Only work pays!); and Désiré in the second year of technical and business education, are also admitted to the upper class. In third year of high school, we had Lewuk (alias Loïc) who passes and Steve who takes again. In fourth year of high school, we had Melveen and Cesare who are admitted in second, and who have passed their BEPC. Loïc (alias Papi) in fourth year high school electricity, still waiting for his result of the CAP, which will condition his passage in the upper class. Ibrahim meanwhile, takes fifth year of high school.

Links:

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