Encouraging back-to-school: UNDP donate to vulnerable children in Bamenda I & III.

The didactics comprising backpacks, school bags, sporting materials and many others, were handed to the beneficiaries Thursday, September 5. This was during an event organised at the Bamenda III Council. 

The gifts are intended to help the beneficiaries better prepare for the new academic year which kicked off today September 9. The Mayor of Bamenda III, Fongu Cletus and the First Deputy Mayor Bamenda I Council, Ndumu Anna, lived the event. 

The United Nations Development Programme was represented at the ceremony by Dr Leslie Ngwa, a Social Cohesion Expert for the UNDP Recovery Program.

The back-to-school support is a project under the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development, PPRD of the North West and South West regions. 

It is funded by the Islamic Development Bank and the government of Cameroon. The goal of the presidential plan is to promote socio-cultural events, boost social cohesion through diversity, inclusion and advocacy.

According to Dr Leslie Ngwa, the donations will boost the morale of the children educationally, and equip them to become problem solvers for tomorrow.

After handing over the back-to-school materials to the beneficiaries at the Bamenda III Council, the authorities proceeded to the inclusive gala match, where the participants received sporting materials like balls, football boots and other materials from the UNDP.

Authorities appreciate UNDP, call on children to take their studies and other activities in life serious. 

The Bamenda I and III Councils through the mayors expressed gratitude to the UNDP for extending a hand to vulnerable children in municipalities, with the goal to enable them have access to education.

Mayor Fonguh of Bamenda III who spoke to reporters after the event said: “I want to thank them for the donations to the children, which is to encourage them to go back to school. The gadgets are of major importance to the children. We have encouraged and cautioned the children to use them well”.

Upon receiving the items, the beneficiaries promised to make good use of them and to produce good academic results during the 2024/2025 academic year.

According to Ncheh Blessing, a Form 3 student, the items will help to reduce burden on her parents as they prepare her for the school year.

“The materials will help reduce the amount of money my parents will spend. And it will encourage me and my peers while in school,” Ncheh said.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3227 of Thursday September 12, 2024