Centre Region: Orange Foundation renovates, hands 49 MFCFA-worth Nguila primary school to gov’t.

The 70-year-old school has through the renovation work been completely metamorphosed into a modern and envious citadel of learning conducive for pupils.

The crowd-pulling inauguration ceremony, rich in pomp and fanfare, was chaired by the Head of Planning, Projects and Cooperation Division at the Ministry of Basic Education, MINEDUB, Elobo Ambassa Lisette, who represented Minister Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa.

Present at the event were the Director of Institutional and Regulatory Affairs at Orange Cameroun, Alain Blaise Batongue, the Secretary General of Orange Foundation, Elizabeth Ehabe, as well as administrative, traditional and religious authorities of the area.

The rehabilitation of GPS Nguila consisted of the construction and renovation of all classrooms and a water supply point. It was financed to the tune of 49 million FCFA by Orange Foundation, the corporate arm of Orange Cameroun, with aim to provide the population of Nguila with adequate infrastructure for quality education.

According to the Orange Foundation, about 4,000 people are expected to directly benefit from the multi-million FCFA project with over 25,000 indirect beneficiaries. 

Also, through the project funded by Orange Foundation, 750 pupils will henceforth be in the position to receive quality education in a much better condition.

Speaking during the ceremony to inaugurate the refurbished GPS Nguila which was created in 1950, the representative of the Minister of Basic Education saluted the fruitful partnership between the ministry and Orange Cameroun.

She said the newly refurbished school will significantly boost education as the pupils will be motivated to learn. 

Elobo Ambassa went further to add that this will also encourage teachers who shall have an ideal environment to prepare and dish out lessons to the pupils.

The MINEDUB special envoy seized reminded the population that the government remains determined to provide quality education for all children across all levels in a safe, secured and convenient environment.

“…we want to heartily thank the Orange Foundation with whom we have been working with since 2016. In partnership with companies like Orange Cameroon, the government wants to reassure children nationwide on their education in a safe and convenient environment,” Elobo Ambassa said.

Enter Orange Cameroun official 

Speaking earlier, the Director of Institutional and Regulatory Affairs at Orange Cameroon, Alain Blaise Batongue, said: “Nguila was one of the most important projects that required the intervention of Orange Cameroun”.

Batongue said the rehabilitation of the GPS Nguila falls in line with the company's objectives to intervene in the education sector, health, digital inclusion and culture.

“With regards to education, we take into consideration priorities and national representation, we rehabilitate and construct to enable vulnerable children to have a chance to quality education and later participate in the development of Cameroon,” Batongue said.

He added that: “It took some time for the project to be realized, but here we are today. We had all reasons to be patient because the final output is beautiful. Orange Cameroun remains by the side of the population to facilitate their development beyond its main mission which is telecommunications professionals”.

Batongue invited teachers, parents, pupils, the community and development associations to put all hands on deck, to maintain the infrastructure in good shape for a long time.

It is worth mentioning that a management committee of around 40 people has been set up to ensure proper use of the facilities.

School’s Head Teacher lauds move, says more needed

Reacting to the inauguration of rehabilitated GPS Nguila, the Head Teacher of the school, Mevele Elie Achille, lauded the gesture by Orange Foundation.

“I am extremely satisfied. This gesture will boost students to love education since we have received modern infrastructure. This proves that the partnership between Orange Cameroun and MINEDUB is a win-win one,” he said. 

Providing a safe haven for education

According to the Secretary General of the Orange Foundation, Elizabeth Ehabe, one of their missions is to support the government to ensure access to basic services to all Cameroonians at every level.

To this effect, the Orange Foundation scribe revealed, both parties signed a partnership in 2016. It was later renewed in 2020.

The Orange Foundation strives to provide quality education to communities through two programmes, one of which is its education for all programmes through which it improves on school infrastructure.

“We ensure access to decent school infrastructure through construction and renovation of classrooms, boreholes, latrines, provision of desks etc. We do this to ensure that children have a decent environment to study. Pupils can learn their lessons better when they are in a comfortable environment. That is the objective of partnership with the ministry,” Ehabe revealed. 

The GPS Nguila is the 9th out of 10 schools that have either been completely renovated and also had new infrastructure realised by Orange Foundation.

About Orange Foundation   

The Orange Foundation has been involved in philanthropic activities in Africa since 2005. Today, the Orange Foundation coordinates and develops philanthropic initiatives in the 16 countries where the group is present.

In Cameroon, the Orange Foundation has been active since 2009. Its programme is an extension of the company’s vision. 

Orange Foundation is active in the areas of health, education, digital access and solidarity. Millions of Cameroonians have benefited from the Orange Foundation and have life-changing testimonies to tell.