To change phase of humanitarian service: Seeds of Hope civil society group launched in Mamfe.

The launching was chaired by Rev Dr Alemnkeng John Bezankeng in the presence of Pastor Rene Ojong of Full Gospel Mission, who doubles as Board Chairperson of Seeds of Hope.

Also in attendance were other founders of Seeds of Hope, including prominent men of God from the area, and professionals from different backgrounds.

The founders said the aspiration is to ensure the underprivileged and vulnerable are actually be fitted in and active in the main stream of national development by meeting both the inclusion aspirations of government and the United Nations ambition of not leaving anyone behind.

The pioneer President of Seeds of Hope, Mbinso Patience, pointed out that in Manyu Division for instance, there were no investments in the area to boost the economy and upgrade the living standards of the people. 

This, she said, makes the brunt of all hardship, material lack and burden of survival to be borne by children and the most vulnerable in the society.

Mbinso asserted that children and the vulnerable are groups of people who, in order to make ends meet, end up as house helps, babysitters, hewers of wood and carriers of water. 

She regretted that they are at times deprived of education, either because their biological parents cannot afford the cost, or the victims have been abandoned by their parents, who are also caught in the trap of extreme poverty.

Mbinso said this segment of the population actually have their own story to tell even when the government keeps claiming to be promoting national development. 

She said Seeds of Hope is born to help these underprivileged citizens tell their true story.

“Here, we see children going to bed hungry. We see children missing school because their families cannot afford the fees. We see children growing without sufficient guidance, opportunities or protection, and we asked ourselves some questions,” she said. 

Founders & some vulnerable children who graced the event

Practical work in the field

In their mission to protect, educate, nurture and empower disadvantaged children and other vulnerable Cameroonians, beginning from the Manyu child, she said Seeds of Hope will strive to provide access to quality education, learning opportunities, and help identified victims acquire and develop marketable skills.

She cited cases where children live with foster parents, but such parents treat these children as slaves. Mbinso also reiterated that Seeds of Hope has a working strategy of moving from village to village across Manyu, to fish out children who are serving mistresses and or masters who dish out inhumane treatment to their servants.

She called on other Manyu sons and daughters across the world to federate forces and assist the initiative of Seeds of Hope and contribute to set up businesses in the Division to boost the local economy. 

Mbinso spoke lengthily on the concept of planting a seed, recalling how, as a family, they benefited enormously from a single mango seed her father planted. 

“There is power in planting seeds. One seed can change generations. Today, we are asking you to help us plant that seed,” she said. 

She explained that Seeds of Hope is founded on the values of transparency, insisting each contribution made or assistance given to the organisation will be judiciously.

Other speakers at the event pledged to raise a new generation of Manyu children, who are morally upright and imbued with the fear of God. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3894 of Sunday August 30, 2026