Helen Keller Int’l officials evaluate funded projects in Dschang.

The delegation led by the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Kathy Martha Spahn, and the President of the Board of Trustees, William John Toppeta, is in Cameroon for an official working visit. The visit runs from March 18 to 25.

Meanwhile, the delegation of 12 persons is being accompanied by the Director for Southern, Eastern and Central Africa, Volkan Hamit Cahir, and the Country Director for Cameroon, Dr Ismael Teta.

The first stopover of their visit in Dschang was on the campus of Government Bilingual High School, GBHS Dschang.

Students of the establishments who had been screened for eye pathologies were offered eyeglasses for free.

The school-based eye care project called BrightSight is in its second phase and implemented in the health districts of Dschang and Mifi in the West Region and Biyem-Assi in the Centre Region.

During the distribution ceremony, the Principal of GBHS Dschang, Akonjuen Amos Ako, thanked the American organisation for supporting the Ministries of Secondary Education and of Public Health to ensure better eye care condition suitable for studies.

While appreciating the donation of Helen Keller International, the Principal informed the delegation that the school, due to its bilingual status, receives internally displaced students whom together with their families fled the crisis in the North West and South West Regions.  

According to the principal, the students are sometimes confronted with juvenile crime and unwanted pregnancies.

One of the beneficiary students, 10-year-old Mafua Treasure, explained she has been facing difficulties in studying due to eye problems which resulted in poor academic performances. 

“My teachers used to call my father to come take me home because I couldn’t follow lessons well. During exams I made many errors because I couldn’t see well,” the Form Two student said.

Having fled from Fontem due to the conflict, she said her parents were unable to purchase the eyeglass that had been prescribed.

“But now with this glasses, I can see well so I want to thank the donors for their gift” the IDP who dreams of becoming a fashion designer, added.

Mass drug distributors recognized

The visit to Dschang was also an opportunity for the visitors to observe the process of mass drug administration, discuss with drug distributors and listen how the Act|West community mobilisation platform is being leveraged to address public health issues.

Their activities include combating COVID-19 prevention and control and fight against neglected tropical diseases, NTDs within the Dschang health district.

During the gathering, the mass drug distributors were awarded certificates of recognition from the Helen Keller Int’l Board of Trustees for their dedication and selfless services to the population.

While addressing the community agents, Jennifer Buda, Board of Trustees member, said they are honoured to be involved in the fight against NTDs within Cameroon and beyond and congratulated the distributors for working tirelessly distribute the Mectizan drug which is vital in helping the communities in fight NTDs.

She also urged them not to relent the efforts in sensitising the communities and convincing reluctant members of the communities to receive the drug to stamp of the diseases.  

Committed to working with Dschang council

The Helen Keller International delegation later met with municipal authorities of the town for an appreciation of their efforts in the promotion of community health nutrition.

Speaking on behalf of the Board, Eunice Reddick, saluted the Mayor of Dschang for stepping its budgets to about 45% towards community health nutrition to improve on the health of the population.

The Board’s representative also assured the municipal officials of their commitment to consolidate and strengthen collaboration with the council to promote the development of medium and large-scale preventive and curative programmes that provide considerable support to effective eye health and malnutrition fight.

Established in Cameroon since 1992, Helen Keller International strengthens the capacities of government, civil society and the private sector for the interest of the health of the population.  

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The delegation led by the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Kathy Martha Spahn, and the President of the Board of Trustees, William John Toppeta, is in Cameroon for an official working visit. The visit runs from March 18 to 25.

Meanwhile, the delegation of 12 persons is being accompanied by the Director for Southern, Eastern and Central Africa, Volkan Hamit Cahir, and the Country Director for Cameroon, Dr Ismael Teta.

The first stopover of their visit in Dschang was on the campus of Government Bilingual High School, GBHS Dschang.

Students of the establishments who had been screened for eye pathologies were offered eyeglasses for free.

The school-based eye care project called BrightSight is in its second phase and implemented in the health districts of Dschang and Mifi in the West Region and Biyem-Assi in the Centre Region.

During the distribution ceremony, the Principal of GBHS Dschang, Akonjuen Amos Ako, thanked the American organisation for supporting the Ministries of Secondary Education and of Public Health to ensure better eye care condition suitable for studies.

While appreciating the donation of Helen Keller International, the Principal informed the delegation that the school, due to its bilingual status, receives internally displaced students whom together with their families fled the crisis in the North West and South West Regions.  

According to the principal, the students are sometimes confronted with juvenile crime and unwanted pregnancies.

One of the beneficiary students, 10-year-old Mafua Treasure, explained she has been facing difficulties in studying due to eye problems which resulted in poor academic performances. 

“My teachers used to call my father to come take me home because I couldn’t follow lessons well. During exams I made many errors because I couldn’t see well,” the Form Two student said.

Having fled from Fontem due to the conflict, she said her parents were unable to purchase the eyeglass that had been prescribed.

“But now with this glasses, I can see well so I want to thank the donors for their gift” the IDP who dreams of becoming a fashion designer, added.

Mass drug distributors recognized

The visit to Dschang was also an opportunity for the visitors to observe the process of mass drug administration, discuss with drug distributors and listen how the Act|West community mobilisation platform is being leveraged to address public health issues.

Their activities include combating COVID-19 prevention and control and fight against neglected tropical diseases, NTDs within the Dschang health district.

During the gathering, the mass drug distributors were awarded certificates of recognition from the Helen Keller Int’l Board of Trustees for their dedication and selfless services to the population.

While addressing the community agents, Jennifer Buda, Board of Trustees member, said they are honoured to be involved in the fight against NTDs within Cameroon and beyond and congratulated the distributors for working tirelessly distribute the Mectizan drug which is vital in helping the communities in fight NTDs.

She also urged them not to relent the efforts in sensitising the communities and convincing reluctant members of the communities to receive the drug to stamp of the diseases.  

Committed to working with Dschang council

The Helen Keller International delegation later met with municipal authorities of the town for an appreciation of their efforts in the promotion of community health nutrition.

Speaking on behalf of the Board, Eunice Reddick, saluted the Mayor of Dschang for stepping its budgets to about 45% towards community health nutrition to improve on the health of the population.

The Board’s representative also assured the municipal officials of their commitment to consolidate and strengthen collaboration with the council to promote the development of medium and large-scale preventive and curative programmes that provide considerable support to effective eye health and malnutrition fight.

Established in Cameroon since 1992, Helen Keller International strengthens the capacities of government, civil society and the private sector for the interest of the health of the population.