By Neba Jerome Ambe

In Cameroon, most children born with special needs are destined for a life of dependency. For the poor, this situation is extreme. Children with special needs are considered to be a social, financial, mental and physical burden to some families. The children do not go to school or leave their homes. Therefore, are not challenged to develop mentally or physically. The experiences have shown that families will often prefer to invest in a healthy child over a child with special needs when it comes to education. They are subject to cruel jokes among their peers and they live with very low self-esteem, often shying away from society.

To promote inclusive development and mainstream gender and disabilities to all, Fed Fed Bamenda extended its hand of generosity to children at the Bamenda Treasure Centre on Thursday, February 22, 2024. The women went along with food items such as oil, bags of rice, Milk, salt, and toiletries just a few. This is to improve the dietary diversity of the children according to Mrs. Foncham Margarette, President of Fed Fed Bamenda.

“We take it as a duty every year to visit one of the institutions and hand items to them. Last year we were at an orphanage and this year we say we cannot repeat orphanage. We decided to come and spend time with children with special needs. It has been a wonderful experience. We have seen that in all, no matter how a child is, he or she has potential”, said Mrs. Foncham Margerette, President of Fed Fed Bamenda The overall mission of Treasure Centre is to improve the quality of life for children with special needs and to create a safe, protected and happy environment. Supporting them to avail opportunities for social interaction, Education, Life skills development and employability skills training is the core value of the centre.

“It is very challenging taking care of children living with disabilities. We don’t get financial support from the government. It comes only from good-will people like Fed Fed Bamenda today. We are so happy and as you witness for yourself, you see how happy these children are. We keep them according to their abilities and some even come here without eating at home. We need financial support, a sports teacher and a physiotherapist”, said Sister Anthonia Onah, coordinator of Treasure Center

Treasure Center was founded in 2022 and with its first site at Foncha Street, they later moved to Akum and finally settled at its present site. It has a department of shoe mending, music and bead making. The center is currently hosting 70 children of which 25 are girls and 45 boys aged 5 to 35 years.

Fed Fed Bamenda is just a branch out of the 14 branches that make up Nkumu Fed Fed which is the largest humanitarian Organization in Cameroon fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.