North Region: CBM Cameroon hailed for improving employment, economic opportunities access for PWDs.

The positive remarks were made by beneficiaries and implementing partners of CBM project in the North Region, recently. This was during a ceremony to mark the end of the project which focused on improving access to employment and economic opportunities for PWDs.

Launched in 2020, the three-year project which was funded by European Union, EU, through CBM International to the Cameroon Country Office, covered four divisions in the North Region.

It was implemented by Archdiocese of Garoua though its social and charitable action arm, CODAS CARITAS. The project aimed at promoting the rights of PWDs in the North Region for a better community based inclusive development.

It emerged at the end of evaluation that the project was a success, as evidenced by 97% of the respondents. Officials were unanimous that the project led to improved access to economic and employment opportunities for PWDs, promoted the inclusion of PWDs in society through vocational training, advocacy, development and income generating activities. 

Speaking shortly after the ceremony, CODAS CARITAS Project Coordinator, Monique Dague, said: “Our beneficiaries and partners are very contented with the contributions made in promoting the rights of Persons With Disabilities especially in the domain of economic empowerment and advocacy at community and regional level”. 

It emerged at the end the evaluation of the project that access to paid employment remains a challenge to PWDs.

Despite challenges, the Programme Officer - CBID, CBM Cameroon, Mispa Tebon, said the project succeeded in integrating 19 PWDs into salaried employment.

She said the project was executed bearing plan for sustainability and community ownership. Tebon noted that advocacy to overcome hiccups to securing salaried jobs for PWDs would be continued by the actors trained through the project. 

This, she said, counting on the 311 teachers from 20 training institutions targeted by the project, who improved their knowledge on the concepts of disability, inclusive education, inclusion, inclusive development and the legal framework governing access to vocational training for persons with disabilities.

Tebon also mentioned 26 managers drawn from 20 training institutions including founders, directors, deputy directors, administrative and financial managers among others, who also improved their knowledge on the aforementioned concepts. 

The CBM official furthered that, advocacy campaigns to promote the rights of PWDs by facilitating their access to inclusive communication, employment and savings and credit services, financial opportunities, were carried out at the level of all councils in the North Region, as well as at the Regional Delegation of the Ministry of Social Affairs, the National Employment Fund, NEF, and 10 microfinance institutions. 

Zoom on impact of project 

Through the project, inclusion of PWDs is more and more evidence through partner vocational training centres that act as ambassadors for PWDs and inclusion in their community. 

Teachers of the partner vocational training centres have also adopted inclusive training methods while physical accessibility measures are systematically integrated during the construction of new buildings, especially with the case of the SAR/SM of Touboro. 

Also, inclusion issues are increasingly addressed during sectoral meetings of structures in charge of vocational training at the regional level while microfinance structures are more than ever before ready and committed to support PWDs who meet with the conditions of access to their products and services.

Thanks to the project, awareness on the need for PWDs to be included in public manifestations has increased. 

Figuil council, has through the project, supported the professional training of seven young people living with disabilities. 

Also, 465 beneficiaries of the project, have through trainings received, begun carrying out income generating activities. 

The closing ceremony was attended by SAR/SM officials from Figuil, Gashiga, Poli, Guider and Garoua. Also present were officials of Pitoa Teacher Training College (ENIEG), Ngong Institute of Health Sciences (ISAN), Garoua Training Centre for Office Employees (CFPR/EB), Garoua Technical Centre (CTG), Rabingha Vocational Training Centre (CEPRA), Multifunctional Youth Centre (CMPJR).

The event was also under the watchful eyes of officials from Tcholliré Teacher Training College (ENIEG), Teacher Training College for Technical Education (ENIET), Garoua Bilingual Teacher Training College for General Education, those of SAR/SM Ngong, National Employment Fund, organisations for PWDs (ASHMAN, PARVI, ARBEA), officials of the Regional Delegation of Social Affairs and those of Figuil and Garoua II Councils.