GivHOPE Africa, a non-profit organisation has embarked on the distribution of food items to more than 500 households from its food bank in a bid to combat hunger during the period of confinement.
The donation ceremony that aims to support people of third age, those with disabilities, destitute and those who stopped their activities, following government prescription on staying home, took place on April 14 and 21 at cite Verte, Mokolo I, III and V and Oyo-Mabang respectively.
The exercise is carried out in 3rd degree traditional chieftaincies, based on the people’s desires and needs has covered seven chieftaincies out of the 14 identified in Yaounde I, II, VI and VII. And, it is done with the aim of putting a smile on the faces of vulnerable persons by showing them that they are not left alone by providing them something sustainable to encourage them stay home.
“We have never abandoned the field but this time, we came to bring a little contribution to our patriarch and matriarch of the 3rd age because we noticed that, ever since COVID-19 is on our walls, many do not have the opportunity to go out, many stay home to confine themselves and thus, they lack this vital thing which is food. So, we came to tell them that, if we have a loaf of bread, we can share together with them,” Helen Pieume, GivHOPE Africa coordinator said.
The initiative to support aged people go through this trying moments safe and sound is quite welcomed by most recipients of the gifts, of which, most of them attest it is the first of its kind. Marie Mballa, N° 1 bloc leader of the Azegue II quarter said, she and her population are very happy to have received the gifts because it will help each and everyone of them as they are bound to stay confined.
“When I see how people are happy to for this big donation which Mme. Pieume and her squad came to give us, even if it is for one day of confinement, it will help some us not to crumble. I am so happy for this gesture and I thank Pieume for contacting us via another canal, which I also used to call on other leaders so that, each leader and his population can have something,” Marie Mballa underlined.
Going by Concilia Chia Sa’ah, internally displaced from the Northwest region, has been in Yaounde for one year now and is thankful to the donours for remembering people of her class. “What brought me to Yaounde is the present crisis going on in the in that region. Today, I can say I am very happy with this gift, it means a lot to me, and so, I am appreciating the donours. This really shows that they have us at heart and I feel that I am not alone here because I met another family. I am really grateful because this is my very first time of receiving such a gift.”
Also, Benedicta Gisele Ngono, one of the beneficiaries said that, the gift comes at the right time because her mother has been bedridden for years now. And, with the advent of the coronavirus, it has not been easy for her to have something to eat. To this end, the donation is highly welcomed because they will have something to eat for some days.
“I am a retiree from the Yaounde Urban Council. I am a leader of a bloc in this village. My appreciation to GivHOPE is very positive because I have been hearing about NGOs interventions but, I have never had the opportunity to take part and be one of the actors like today. I have seen all what happened and I am satisfied,” Bonaventure Dominique told the press.
Going by the Traditional Chief of Kolbikok II, in Yaounde VI, Chief Tsala Andre Marie, averred that, “the message I am conveying goes particularly to the NGO and to the government because it’s thanks to the Presidency to of the Republic that we can get these. I am sure the population of this neighbourhood are very happy for receiving these donations for a very first time.”
Likewise, Catherine Nombi Matanga Manda expressed gratitude to the organisation that aims to fight hunger during the period of confinement, as there are families who live on daily revenue. She however encourages GivHOPE Africa to proceed in that light given the fact that, there are mothers who will not have the chance to go do trade, thus, a serious problem to their survival.
With respect to the exercise that aims to combat food insecurity due to the coronavirus, many recipients in Yaounde said they had never witnessed such event before and only watched it on the news. Thus, they count themselves lucky to be part of this aid. Therefore, in line with the fight to contain COVID-19 in Cameroon, the coordinator and her squad educated the masses on the how to wash hands, how and why it is important to wear a mask amongst other barrier measures. Helene Pieume will however extend the association’s largesse to the West region precisely in Ntonga, Bangou, and Douala in a bid to donate to a total of 17,897 people in 14 chieftaincies and 8000 in Yaounde in particular.
By Annie Babelle Odounlami
