The Promoter of GIVHOPE Africa, Helen Pieume, has given out some food items to some 150 inhabitants, in a bid combat food insecurity as a result of the coronavirus pandemic in Cameroon.
The donation that took place at the Nkolnyada neighbourhood in Yaounde, April 11, preceeded a sensitisation campaign aimed at schooling the populace on the importance of respecting government’s measures to curb the promulgation of the COVID-19 within the national territory.
Talking during the ceremony, the founder of GivHOPE Africa, Helen Pieume, encouraged the population of the neighbourhood to always make sure they are in line with what the government says so that they at their level can also fight to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
“We sensitised the present group on keeping their hands clean, social distancing and we told them not to come in contact with one another and they did the exercise to separate themselves. We told them that the pandemic is real and thus, everyone need to put on his/her mask and wear hand gloves if they want to be protected,” Helen Pieume told The Post.
According to her, since the escalation of the said pandemic in Cameroon, the population of Nkolnyada have been unable to make ends meet. Thus, those who used to roast fish, corn, plantain by the roadside completely stopped their activities because instructions hold that, all businesses stop at 6pm for some and 4pm for others.
As a result, “we said, why not provide them something little for at least for two days, while seeing how to better the situation,” Helen added and emphasised that their goal is relieve the pain of inhabitants of this neighbourhood as some of their members are equally affected together with their respective families.
“Behind every member there is a whole chain of persons who lived on income generating activities which we financed. So, before this situation, we do not want to remain indifferent and for this reason, we stopped income generating activities to satisfy this primary need,” Helen Pieume maintained.
Expressing his gratitude for receiving such donation for a very first time, John Shu, leader of the 13th bloc at the Nkolnyada quarter said the soaps given him will help his family wash their hands thereby fighting against the propagation of the coronavirus.
“I received rice and soaps. The soap will help my family combat COVID-19. With the soaps, we will wash our hands while the rice will feed the family. This is our first time of witnessing such a thing g in our quarter and we are very happy to get it. The population of Nkolnyada say thank you to mama Helen and her group for helping us fight against the COVID-19,” John Shu said.
Badefon Oyonge, inhabitant of the neighbourhood on his part expressed his astonishment following the event. “We were not expecting such event, it is really a surprise for us because, with all what we hear over the news, the population has been abandoned. But, we are really surprised to see people worthy enough to think of the population and vulnerable people like us. That is why we are gathered here today and we are very happy.”
He averred that, they will welcome such initiative if they could constantly receive such support, given the fact that, they have paused all their activities and they stay just back home as instructed by the government. To him, such initiatives can go a long way to encourage them to stay home and not going out to look for food for the family, therefore, confining themselves appropriately.
It should be noted that, the operation to relieve the social and economic condition of the people targets 15 neighbourhoods in Yaounde where GivHOPE activities have been operational notably in Yaounde I, II, VI and VII. So, the tour will be done in 19 Sub-Division in Yaounde.
Therefore, following the closure of schools and groceries, job disruptions and health risks, many Cameroonians find themselves abandoned, thus, they need much needed support in food. In this light, supply shortages are frustrating for everyone, and most especially for those already facing food insecurity.
By Annie Babelle Odounlami
