1. Art and Diseño

SHUMAS ANNUAL NEWSLETTER
2014 IN RETROSPECT
Mformi Stephen Ndzerem Njodzeka: Founder and Director of SHUMAS-Cameroon
Vision: “Improve lives, reduce poverty, empower people”
P.O Box 5047, Mile Six Nkwen Bamenda
Tel: +237 677755630
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.shumas-cameroon.org
Editorial
“Sustainable development is the pathway to the future we want for all. It offers a framework to generate economic growth, achieve
social justice, exercise environmental stewardship and strengthen governance” (Ban Ki-moon)
SHUMAS looks back at 2014
With a vision for a society in which the vulnerable are economically empowered to unlock their potential and mainstream their
livelihoods, 2014 has been a bee hive in SHUMAS, the robust NGO in Cameroon. The buzz has been from community briefings to
receiving and screening of applications, feasibility studies to selection, to signing of protocol agreement, to inspection of local material,
providing industrial material, monitoring and evaluation of projects in progress, completion of projects, handing over of projects to
communities, reporting, while sustainability of projects is ensured through seasonal impact assessments. The dynamic team that
harnesses the resources of this result oriented organisation encompasses the founding Director and staff of SHUMAS, home and
international partners, governments, national and international volunteers, students on internship, and the resilient communities. This
is the team that tirelessly writes the project proposals, raises funds, supports innovations, manages the material and human resources
to accomplish life changing projects in rural and urban poor communities in all regions of Cameroon.
This collective effort yielded quantitative and qualitative results in 2014: SHUMAS constructed 53 classrooms in 21 schools,
refurbished 13 classrooms in 3 schools, equipped with 481 benches, 66 teachers’ tables, and 66 teachers’ chairs. 16 toilet
compartments with hand washing facilities were constructed in 16 of these schools, a School Environmental Program established in
16 schools, and 150 scholarships donated to needy children. SHUMAS provided micro credit loans in two sessions to 52 women
groups, trained 450 women in animal farming, and trained 35 youths in the long course in agriculture at the SHUMAS climate smart
agriculture training centre. This centre is outstanding in Africa with four sources of renewable energy. It enabled the rural electrification
project where solar, wind, and hydro-electricity were used to light rural communities of Bamdzeng and Mbiame. SHUMAS trained 27
persons with special needs and graduated 9 from her Vocational Rehabilitation Centre, sponsored the training of 21 state registered
community nurses, refurbished 1 health centre, equipped 2, and connected potable water in 8 communities. SHUMAS won 6 awards
in 2014 and is currently coordinating the German-West African Urban Foodplus project in Cameroon.
In spite of the challenge of no operational cost for most projects, 2014 has been a productive year for SHUMAS. With such
milestones, the Cameroon Government’s development plan including the 3 years emergency development plan; the MDGs and post
2015 development agenda, which is disability inclusive; the Growth and Employment Strategy Paper; and the vision of Cameroon as
an emergent economy by 2035 has a veritable partner in SHUMAS in the push for sustainable development.
Kelen Fonyuy (PhD)
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Content
Editorial
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Featured News
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Canadian doctors work for SHUMAS in rural Noi
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SHUMAS-Cameroon receives AidCamps International and Market Makers, UK ------------------------AidCamps International and Market Makers visit SHUMAS Vocational Rehabilitation Centre -Market Makers visit SHUMAS projects
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SHUMAS-Market Makers visit the Minister for Secondary Education
AidCamps International work hands on GSS Mbveh project
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SHUMAS classrooms and health centre projects handed over in the last quarter of 2014
The SHUMAS-Martin Lynch scholarship project expands
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SHUMAS water projects handed over in the last quarter of 2014 ---------------------------------------------SHUMAS evaluates and builds capacities of rural women
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CIM Germany officially hands over workplace equipment to SHUMAS -----------------------------------SHUMAS participates at the Synchronized National Immunization Days -----------------------------------
SHUMAS 2014 Achievements
Awards
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Workshops / Seminars
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Education Program ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Women Empowerment Program
Social Welfare Program
Health Program
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Agriculture Program -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program
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Environmental Protection and Management Program
Volunteering and Internship Programs
Projects in Progress
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Projected Projects
Article
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The Technical Department of SHUMAS-Cameroon
Exclusive Interview
------------------------------- Clovis Kongnyuy
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SHUMAS interviews Programs Coordinator, Mrs Billian Nyuykighan
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SHUMAS-Cameroon
P.O Box 5047, Mile Six Nkwen Bamenda
Tel: +237 6777755630
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.shumas-cameroon.org
Featured News
This column features news of SHUMAS events in the last quarter of 2014.
Canadian doctors work for SHUMAS in rural Noi
From 16th -27th of October 2014, two Canadian medical doctors, Sarah and Paul were on placement in rural Noi
community, Bui Division in the North West Region of Cameroon. Noi is one of the rural communities where the SHUMAS
Spreading Health Program operates. Inspired by the ‘health for all’ slogan this program trains community nurses in
reputable state health institutions to return and serve their communities. The Canadian doctors on placement, were here
to support this endeavour. The doctors got a hilarious welcome from the community, and visited the government,
traditional, and health authority in the community, who assured them of their support.
With support from the community nurses, the doctors went to work. They carried out several consultations, took vital
signs, administered medication, and prescribed some. They also gave talks on breast cancer, STDs and warm cancer to
SHUMAS women, who constitute a part of the SHUMAS Women Empowerment Program. At the end of the close to two
weeks consultation exercise, the doctors consulted one hundred and seventy patients. Immense gratitude to Sarah and
Paul.
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Noi community welcomes Canadian doctors
Canadian doctors administer treatment in Noi Community Health Centre
SHUMAS-Cameroon receives AidCamps International and Market Makers, UK
On Sunday 9th November the staff, friends, and some beneficiaries of SHUMAS projects filled the SHUMAS head office
conference hall to receive two of numerous SHUMAS invaluable partners: AidCamps International and Market Makers
UK.
AidCamps International is a group of goodwill people who identify projects and raise funds to support the projects. To
ensure the completion of a project they use their holiday to travel abroad and work hands on the project, complete it, and
hand it over to the beneficiary community. This is why in November 2014 AidCamps International volunteers came to work
hands on and hand over to the community, the GSS Mbveh project which they contributed in funding.
Market Makers is a telemarketing UK based company, which in simple terms, sells small and big businesses. The Market
Makers’ team came to visit prospective project sites, monitor and evaluate their ongoing projects in Mbiame, North West
Region; visit their past projects in the West Region; hand over finished school, health centre, and water projects, which
they contributed in funding in the Centre and Littoral regions of Cameroon. SHUMAS is elated to have her partners home
again and wishes them more energy as they move around, or work hands on the projects.
SHUMAS Director welcomes partners
SHUMAS Vocational Rehabilitation Centre trainees sing to partners
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AidCamps International and Market Makers, UK visit SHUMAS Vocational
Rehabilitation Centre
The SHUMAS Vocational Rehabilitation (VRC) is another limelight of SHUMAS, which no visitor ever misses out to visit.
The Centre hosts seven different life skill training workshops offered to persons with special needs, who with some
encouragement, show some degree of interest in learning a trade. With a modern dormitory, kitchen, and refectory, the
VRC has the capacity to accommodate 34 trainees.
It is amazing to see the activities in which the trainees of the VRC reveal their hidden potential and emotions. They do this
through music, dance, and craftsmanship. Their activities left the volunteers stunned and impressed.
AidCamps International volunteers and Market Makers visit SHUMAS Vocational Rehabilitation Centre workshops
Market Makers, UK visit SHUMAS projects
In the second week of November 2014, Market Makers UK visited SHUMAS-Market Makers projects in the North West
and West regions of Cameroon.
Visit of SHUMAS-Market Makers projects in the North West Region
Three representative from Market Makers UK visited SHUMAS from the 9th of November to monitor and evaluate some
combined ongoing and prospective water, health centre, and classrooms projects. In all the places they visited there are the
SHUMAS-Market Makers projects.
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Market Makers meet Mbiame Council authority, and visit Market Makers’ GTC Mbiame 2014 classrooms project
Phase one of the tour began on 11.11.14, when the SHUMAS-Market Makers team visited Mbiame Sub Division, Bui Division,
North West Region. The first stop was at the Mbiame Council, another partner to the SHUMAS-Market Makers projects in the
Mbiame area. For health projects, the team visited the Mbiame Health Centre and were impressed with ongoing activities. For
classrooms project the team visited GTC Mbiame where construction on the foundations of the electricity, building and
construction workshops were in progress. The team also visited PS Rifem, where the project site was ready for work to start.
For the water project, the team visited the ongoing Njanawa water project.
Market Makers visit their 2014 Njanawa water project
Culture is knitted in SHUMAS development projects
SHUMAS recognises that culture plays an integral role in development, and significantly, the Fon or traditional ruler is the
one voice, to which the majority of people in areas ruled by fondoms are likely to listen. For SHUMAS the Fon is one of
the project stakeholders who endorses a project to be carried out in his fondom. It is for this reason that the SHUMASMarket Makers team visited the fondoms of Mbiame and Nseh. The Mbiame palace reception was impressive, including
the visit to the palace nursey school, GNS Ntoh Mbiame, which added in some colour and vibrance. The reception at the
Nseh palace was warm, but solemn because the Nseh fondom was mourning the loss of one of the queens.
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Phase two of the tour of projects sites started with a visit to Nseh Sub Division, Bui Division, North West Region. At the
health centre the team was satisfied with the efforts and output of workers. At Mbabu Nseh II Primary School, the team
had a chat with the pupils and staff, and visited GNS Ntoh Mbiame, where the kids thrilled the team with a beautiful song.
Market Makers visit their 2014 GNS Ntoh Mbiame project and beneficiaries; the Mbiame Palace and the Fon of Mbiame
Thank you Market Makers for supporting SHUMAS
Visit of SHUMAS-Market Makers projects in the West Region
The first stop was at Ecole Publique Chefferie, where a receptive population from the community and the palace were
present to receive the SHUMAS-Market Makers team. The team encouraged the community to continue maintaining the
school, and the teachers and students to maintain the good results they have had as a result of the classrooms project.
The next stop was at Ecole Publique Njitout, where the community expressed the difficulty of the PTA to pay staff and
staff to survive on PTA support fund. The last stop was a visit to the Bangourain Health Centre, where the team was
impressed with staff efforts.
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Market Makers visit their 2013 projects: Ecole Publique Chefferie and Ecole Publique Njitout
SHUMAS-Market Makers visit the Minister for Secondary Education
SHUMAS operates within the administrative and traditional laws that govern the co-existence of civil society organisations
and the government, and or traditional authority of Cameroon. It is within this backdrop of respect for authority, and
recognition of the role of different stakeholders in development endeavours that SHUMAS and Market Makers, UK made
a courtesy visit to the Minister for Secondary Education, His Excellency, Louis Bapes Bapes. In a warm and cordial
reception both teams discussed what Market Makers do, what the company has done for SHUMAS in developing the
Cameroon nation and the prospects of the SHUMAS-Market Makers development partnership.
SHUMAS & Market Makers present their development partnership activities to the Minister of MINESEC
Group photo
AidCamps International volunteers work hands on GSS Mbveh project
On 10th November 2014, the community of GSS Mbveh gave a warm welcome to the AidCamps volunteers who for two
weeks lived in the community and worked hands on to complete the GSS Mbveh project. It started with the courtesy visit
to the representative of the Cameroon Government, the SDO for Bui, who reiterated the state’s recognition for the rural
development works of SHUMAS and her partners. He pledged his support for their efforts and those of SHUMAS and
assured them of their security, assuring them they were at home in Cameroon.
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SDO for Bui, Théophile Nzeki welcomes AidCamps volunteers
GSS Mbveh students sing to welcome AidCamps volunteers
The GSS Mbveh students thrilled the volunteers with songs, interspersed with the uncommon blend of Nso icon of music,
Richard Kings. It happened amidst interludes of speeches from the GSS Mbveh administration, parents-teachers
association (PTA), village development association (VDA), Kumbo council, etc. In all of these there was a common theme
in different words: gratitude to SHUMAS and partners, and gratitude for development, and value for education of the
young in remote and urban poor areas of Cameroon.
Richard Kings entertains the crowd
AidCamps coordinator, Suzanne Holder states objective of their visit
In two weeks AidCamps International volunteers worked hands on their GSS Mbveh project. Unusually it was raining in
the dry season, but they defied the bad weather to complete the project. On some days they worked morning and
afternoon, landscaping, whitewashing, colour painting, decorating for handover with motivating messages written on the
boards for the kids. When they were not working on the project, they went to school to interact with the students, or went
to parts of the community to interact with the people, listen to talks on traditional rulership in Nso land, and on the
integrated programs of SHUMAS.
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AidCamps International volunteers landscaping GSS Mbveh
AidCamps International volunteers work hands on GSS Mbveh project
AidCamps International volunteers work hands on GSS Mbveh project
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AidCamps volunteers’ encouraging messages to GSS Mbveh students
SHUMAS classrooms and health centre projects handed over in the last quarter of
2014
In November of 2014, SHUMAS and partners, AidCamps International and Market Makers, UK handed over completed
classrooms and health centre projects to communities of the Centre, Littoral, and North West Regions of Cameroon.
SHUMAS-Market Makers hand over projects in the Centre and Littoral regions, Cameroon
From Wednesday 12th to Thursday 13th November 2014, SHUMAS and one of her partners, Market Makers, UK handed
over three school projects, and a health centre project to four rural communities in the Centre and Littoral regions of
Cameroon. These projects fall under the SHUMAS Education, and Health programs and was jointly realised by SHUMASCameroon, her partners, Market Makers UK, the Ministries of Basic Education, Secondary Education, Health, and the
communities. The joy of seeing the completion of a project was overwhelming in all the communities, even though one
community event had to take place in the night due to bad roads and far distances.
Newly constructed classrooms
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Toilet block with wash-hand facility
D.O’s representative receives keys from SHUMAS Director
Kids dance to celebrate their project
project stakeholders
The EP Ngokop project comprises three newly constructed classrooms, equipped with 27 benches, three chairs, three
tables, three water pails, three mugs, and a 4 compartment toilet block with hand washing facility. For CES Makenene, the
project comprises two newly constructed classrooms, and two refurbished classrooms equipped with 60 benches, four
chairs, four tables, four water pails, four mugs, and a 4 compartment toilet block with hand washing facility. The CES
Biakoa project comprises two newly constructed classrooms, equipped with 27 benches, two chairs, two tables, two water
pails, and two mugs. The Bipock Health Centre project components vary from wound dressing equipment to maternity and
delivery room equipment, generator, refrigerator, etc.
These handed over projects sum up the number of Market Makers’ projects with SHUMAS to 30 equipped classrooms
projects, 7 water projects, and 4 health centre projects
Students dance to celebrate their project
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Representative of the Minister of Secondary Education, Mrs Helen Egbe Agborbesong, Technical Adviser No. 1 MINESEC cuts ribbon and receives
classrooms keys from SHUMAS Director
SHUMAS-AidCamps hand over GSS Mbveh
The community of Lavban Mbveh in general and the education family of GSS Mbveh, Kumbo Central, Bui Division, North
West Region, Cameroon could not wait to see this day. SHUMAS, her partner AidCamps International volunteers, and the
community worked overtime to meet the deadline of this project, which had been delayed after the operational plan had
been laid. The project comprises three newly constructed classrooms, equipped with 27 benches, three chairs, three
tables, three water pails, three mugs, and a 4 compartment toilet block with hand washing facility.
The GSS Mbveh handed over project sums up the number of AidCamps classrooms projects with SHUMAS since 2003 to
85 equipped classrooms.
The at last! day was Friday the 21st of November 2014. On the new campus of GSS Mbveh was a mixed community: the
stakeholders, direct and indirect beneficiaries of the GSS Mbveh school project, and curious onlookers.
The AidCamps team that worked hands on GSS Mbveh poses with students
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GSS students in front of new classrooms
’
AidCamps volunteers read out their messages of encouragement and gratitude to the community
The joy of achievement filled the air: from SHUMAS to AidCamps volunteers, GSS Mbveh students to staff and PTA, the
Ministry of Secondary Education to the Bui administration and council, from church and traditional authority to village
development association, women and dance groups, it was a feeling of a job well done.
Speech after speech came from representatives of all groups present. In different words the same message was echoed:
gratitude to SHUMAS and AidCamps, pledge of commitment to sustain the school through proper maintenance, good
results, and increase in enrolment. The AidCamps volunteers highlighted their messages in Lamnso and pidgin. Even in
their foreign accent, the chore of their messages reached their audiences, and the response was hilarious.
Representative of Divisional Delegate for Secondary Education
Principal of GSS Mbveh
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Deputy Mayor, Kumbo Council
Representative of the Fon of Nso
The final moment was when the project ribbon was jointly cut by representatives of project stakeholders, and the founding
Director of SHUMAS, Mformi Stephen Ndzerem Njodzeka, who handed over the keys of the classrooms to the Divisional
Officer (D.O) for Bui, who in tend handed it to the representative of the Ministry of Secondary Education. Hierarchy went
from here right down to the Principal of GSS Mbveh, the main custodian of the project.
D.O for Kumbo cuts ribbon
D.O for Kumbo receives classrooms keys from Director of SHUMAS
Emotional songs of gratitude and encouragement from women groups, and graceful traditional dances saluted the event.
The Lavban community decorated SHUMAS and AidCamps volunteers in colourful, gorgeous traditional regalia as princes
and princesses of development and the handing over documents signed to seal the protocol agreement.
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Songs and traditional dances salute the event
SHUMAS and AidCamps honoured as princes and princesses of development AidCamps coordinator, Suzanne Holder talks to press after event
The SHUMAS-Martin Lynch scholarship project expands
As an AidCamps International volunteer, the development marks of Martin Lynch, and Clymac UK keep expanding in
SHUMAS. Their contribution to the scholarship project keep growing. The scholarship project is a component of the
SHUMAS Education Program with the objective to give the opportunity of formal education to vulnerable children who
have the ability and desire to learn. Beneficiaries come from primary to tertiary levels of education. In the 2014/2015
academic year with the support of Martin Lynch and Clymac, SHUMAS scholarship beneficiaries have increased to 150,
and are spread in different regions of Cameroon.
These pictures capture Marin Lynch and a few of the scholarship beneficiaries in the Nkwen village alone, and also some of the beneficiaries as they
sing to thank their sponsors.
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SHUMAS water projects handed over in the last quarter of 2014
At a time when water sufficiency is threatened in rural and urban Cameroon, when taps are increasingly going dry and
water tables falling, when cattle and humans drink from the same water source, SHUMAS makes potable water a reality in
some rural communities of Cameroon. Most of these rural communities still rely on unprotected sources of water, often
contaminated by some farming activities such as cattle farming. The most vulnerable groups in this regard are women and
children, who spend valuable economic / study time fetching water from long distances away from their homes. The lack
of reliable water source leads to water related illnesses, less productive farming, time away from work and school, high
health costs, which drain meagre family incomes.
It is within this backdrop that SHUMAS provides potable water to communities, health centres, and schools to reduce the
incidence of water-related diseases in rural Cameroon.
Representative of SHUMAS Director, Mr Renard Paprika cuts ribbon
Potable water is a reality in Kirumen village
Community dances to celebrate its water project
Women and children rejoice most because in Cameroonian communities, it is almost a culturally assigned role to women
and children to fetch water, and trekking to distant places to find water is never an easy task. It is exhausting and time-
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consuming as earlier on stated
The joy of potable water in a rural community is usually overflowing, especially for women and children who socioculturally, carry the burden of water fetching.
The Nzenefor community had since last year enjoyed potable water before it was recently officially handed over to the
community.
Nzenefor community takes symbolic sips of its potable water
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SHUMAS evaluates and builds capacities of rural women
On Saturday 04.10.2014 and 11.10.2014 respectively, the annual workshops of the SHUMAS Women Empowerment
Program (WEP) took place. The objective was to evaluate the activities, achievements, and challenges of the pig and
sheep farming project, seed multiplication, and the micro finance loans (FIOH project) given to the women, evaluate the
respect of terms of contract on these loans, and device more strategies and projects to enhance women’s economic
capacities. Each of these activities carries with it a development concept: the empowerment of vulnerable rural women,
reduction of unemployment and poverty, improved income and livelihood, and mainstreaming of other projects such as
productive health talks.
The workshops were carried out in two zones with representatives from the 52 SHUMAS WEP groups. During this
workshops, activities carried out comprised reporting on group activities, loan refund, loan award, talk on healthy eating
habits, and practical lesson on frying and packaging plantain chips for sale or storage. The practical cookery lessons
enhances postharvest management, improves and varies food value, generates income, and encourages local
consumption.
At the workshop participants were enlightened on the evolution of financial transactions in the microfinance project, which
were in its transition phase and the women’s response was impressive. They were educated to understand that
henceforth loaning and refunding in cash will cease and give way to monetary transactions in form of cheques and
receipts. Financial experts from the MC2 Bank and the Tikar Credit Union were invited to give a talk on the procedures of
saving, refunding loans, and the benefits of all these.
Zone I reports
Zone II reports
SHUMAS women process plantains to chips for sale or storage
As a recap, the SHUMAS Women Empowerment Program has as objective to enhance capacities of rural women for
sustainable self-reliance and economic community development. As a part of the workplace equipment for German trained
returnees working in SHUMAS, the German agency, Centrum für internationale Migration und Entwicklung (CIM) “Centre
for International Migration and Development” enhanced the SHUMAS Women Empowerment Program kitchen with a gas
oven, now used for baking and other forms of cooking.
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During the October 2014 annual workshops the women had practical lessons on converting plantains to plantain chips. The
objective of this lesson was to vary the women’s income generating activities, and to use locally grown food such as plantains to
process and store in other forms than just boiling and eating plantains.
The women were taught the chipping, frying, and packaging with simple and affordable packaging means such as the use of
candle flame. With these methods, plantains could be stored, sold, bought, and eaten in form of chips.
Peeling and chipping plantains
Packaging plantain chips
Frying chipped plantains
sealing plantain chips bags
Finished product
CIM Germany officially hands over workplace equipment to SHUMAS
The German agency, Centrum für internationale Migration und Entwicklung (CIM) “Centre for International Migration and
Development” hosts the German Returning Experts Programme. This supports German trained foreign students from
developing countries, who studied in Germany and wish to return to their home country after completion of studies.
Among other support such as job placement in home country of the returnee, salary subsidy for the returnee, scientific
literature, the German Returning Experts Programme also provides technical workplace equipment to facilitate the
professional transfer of know-how of the returnee to develop his/her home country.
Dr Kelen Fonyuy is a graduate from the German University of Bayreuth, a returnee, and presently the Communication,
Documentation, and Women Empowerment Programs manager of SHUMAS-Cameroon. She is a beneficiary of the
support from the German Returning Experts Programme, which has supplied equipment for the SHUMAS office of
Communication and Documentation. The equipment worth 9000 Euro include: a desktop, mini laptop, external hard disk,
all-in-one printer, projector, video camera, voice recorder, digital voltage regulator, TV screen, decoder, generator, mobile
lecture kit, multipurpose roller board, scientific literature and a gas oven. These equipment has overhauled the speed and
improved the quality of work in SHUMAS.
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CIM workplace equipment donated to SHUMAS-Cameroon
SHUMAS Comm-Doc office before CIM donated equipment
SHUMAS Comm-Doc office after CIM donated equipment
Kelen in SHUMAS office of Communication & Documentation before and after CIM donated the workplace equipment
On December 6th 2014, CIM organized a handing over ceremony in which the workplace equipment were officially handed
over to the organisation, SHUMAS-Cameroon, where the returnee, Kelen Fonyuy works.
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SHUMAS participates at the Synchronized National Immunization Days
When some cases of poliomyelitis (polio) were confirmed in the north of Cameroon, the Government through its Ministry of
Public Health in collaboration with civil society organisations such as SHUMAS-Cameroon organised a series of national
vaccination days to fight against this disease. In simple terms Polio is a disease caused by a virus that affects the nervous
system and is mainly spread through person-to-person contact.
Through these Synchronized National Immunization Days, the Ministry of Public Health aims to reduce mortality rate by
two thirds among children between 0 to 5 years by doing vaccination routines and campaigns on the Synchronized
National Immunization Days. The last vaccination campaign and first synchronized round was from 19th- 21st October, the
second round from 31st October to 3rd November, and the 3rd round from 05th to 07th December 2014.
As an NGO with Health as one of its integrated programs for sustainable rural development SHUMAS participated in
these exercises, which were very successful. The success reflects the effort of the state in collaborating with other
stakeholders to eradicate Polio from Cameroon.
SHUMAS staff Larissa, Nancy, and Serophine participate at the Synchronized National Immunization days
SHUMAS 2014 Achievements
Awards
In 2014 alone, SHUMAS received six awards (national and international) in recognition for her community development
endeavour. Four media houses including state owned media, Cameroon Radio and Television (CRTV), North West, and
the private press: The Watchdog Tribune, Life Time Magazine/Newspaper, Cameroon Herald used the vox pop approach
to award SHUMAS as an organisation that has distinguished itself in nation building. And the National ENERGY GLOBE
Award Cameroon 2014 went to SHUMAS-Cameroon.
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The National ENERGY GLOBE Award Cameroon 2014
SHUMAS-Cameroon was winner of the esteemed National ENERGY GLOBE Award Cameroon 2014. The Energy Globe
Award is today's most prestigious environmental prize worldwide. The aim of Energy Globe is “to raise global attention on
sustainable, everywhere applicable environmental solutions and to motivate people to also become active in this area”.
With a project titled Training farming community leaders and unemployed youths on sustainable integrated
organic farming and renewable energy forms, SHUMAS emerged one of the winners from more than 160 participating
countries with over 1000 project submissions annually.
SHUMAS wins the National ENERGY GLOBE Award Cameroon 2014
More Awards
The CRTV Youth Promoter Award for Excellence was awarded to the founding Director of SHUMAS, Mformi Stephen
Ndzerem Njodzeka as “Youth Promoter Man of the Year” and “Best Community Life Developer of the Year”.
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Life Time Magazine/Newspaper awarded SHUMAS for “its outstanding achievements in providing relentless
services to humanity”. Cameroon Herald awarded SHUMAS “in recognition for her outstanding contribution to
humanity…” The Watchdog Tribune awarded SHUMAS with the “Re-unification award for nation builders only”.
Workshops / Seminars
As a reliable stakeholder in community development, SHUMAS in 2014 participated in and reported on at least 17
workshops / seminars / conferences related to all eight integrated programs of SHUMAS and the Department of
Communication and Documentation. SHUMAS also enhanced her development efforts by implementing the resolutions
from these fora.
SN
1.
2..
Workshop / Seminar
Organised by: Ministry of
Objective / Theme
Sensitisation on eminent band on use of non-biodegradable plastic
Environment and Nature Protection
packaging
Organised by: The University of
Proposal of Memorandum of Understanding between HTTC, Ministry of
Bamenda (UBa) and the Higher
Secondary Education (MINSEC) and stakeholders on Internship and
Teacher Training College (HTTC)
Teaching Practice
Bambili
3.
4.
Organised by: German CIM and
Using the know-how of German trained Cameroonians in promoting
GIZ agencies
local development
Organised by: National Agency for
The role of the internet in the emergence of Cameroon
Information and Communication
Technologies
5.
Organised by: PASC and INADES
Promoting public-private-civil society partnership and exploring
Formation on Civil Society Open Day opportunities for engagement
6.
Organised by: Education
Acquire skills to render effective management of libraries
Information Services International,
the Kumba City Council, and Book
Aid International
7.
Organised by: SHUMAS and FIOH
Establish a collaborative non-governmental network “Future in our
International Network Coordinator
Hands Cameroon Network”
from UK
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8.
Organised by: North West Regional
To launch the 2014-2015 academic year on the theme “The school at
Delegation for Secondary Education
the service of human development through quality education”
9.
Organised by: UrbanFoodplus
To evaluate the potentials and contributions of SHUMAS and Bamenda in
the project, and carry out PhD interviews for the International Graduate
School for the UrbanFoodplus project
10.
Organised by: PROVARESSC
Strengthen civil society organisations’ capacities to improve the rate of
routine vaccination through effective community communication skills
11.
Organised by: German CIM and
Networking for returnees to have personal contact, bring returnees
GIZ agencies
closer to the community, be aware of the opportunities at their disposal,
and their obligation to CIM and GIZ
12.
Organised by: Manos Unidas and
“One human family, food for all” campaign to end hunger by 2025
Caritas Internationalis in Spain
13.
Organised by: Directors and
To evaluate phase one of the AFOP Program
Promoters of private centres
14.
Organised by: Ministry of Public
Fight against poliomyelitis and reduce mortality rate by two thirds
Health
among children between the ages 0 to 5 years by doing vaccination
routines and campaigns
15.
Organised by: Ministry of Public
Form a network of civil society organisations to act as interface
Health
between community organisations involved in health and the Ministry of
Public Health
16.
Organised by: German CIM and
To officially hand over workplace equipment to SHUMAS
GIZ agencies
17.
Organised by: FIOH International
Brainstorm on sustainable projects or project proposals for the FIOH
Network, Cameroon
network to develop and implement
Education Program
SHUMAS observed that primary and secondary education are free in government-run schools in Cameroon, but the burden of
providing adequate learning infrastructure and sufficient teaching staff falls on parents and communities. As a result of this
situation, education in rural and urban poor areas faces numerous challenges, such as lack of school infrastructure and
dilapidated structures; insufficient and/or unequipped classrooms; insufficient trained teachers; lack of water and poor sanitation
in schools, which in turn lead to poor performance by pupils in rural schools; high rates of school drop outs in rural schools;
crowded classrooms leading to poor handwriting and eventual failure; risky learning environment in dilapidated structures, etc.
These challenges present a major barrier to the achievement of universal primary education, as stated in the second Millennium
Development Goal, as well as in Cameroon’s vision of becoming an emergent economy by 2035.
To contribute in ameliorating this situation SHUMAS uses an intervention strategy, which is participatory by sensitising
communities to identify needs, contribute in realising projects thereby strengthening their ownership and capacity for selfdevelopment.
Page 26 of 51
In 2014 SHUMAS received more than 150 applications from communities in all regions of Cameroon in need of school
infrastructure support
Feasibility studies
After receiving and screening the applications SHUMAS carried out at least 54 feasibility studies in various communities
from January – December 2014 as tabulated below:
SN
School
Location
1.
GS Shuke
Mbven Sub Division, Bui Division, NW Region
2.
GS Shukov Mbiame
Mbven Sub Division, Bui Division, NW Region
3.
GS Kovjo Mbohnso Mbiame
Mbven Sub Division, Bui Division, NW Region
4.
GS Shuken Rifem Mbiame
Mbven Sub Division, Bui Division, NW Region
5.
GNS Ntoh Mbiame
Mbven Sub Division, Bui Division, NW Region
6.
GTC Mbiame
Mbven Sub Division, Bui Division, NW Region
7.
GBSS Lip Mbiame
Mbven Sub Division, Bui Division, NW Region
8.
GBSS Mbonso
Mbven Sub Division, Bui Division, NW Region
9.
GSS Kuvluh
Rural Kuvluh, Bui Division, NW Region
10.
GSS Mbveh
Kumbo Central, Bui Division, NW Region
11.
GS Koko Mbiame
Mbven Sub Division, Bui Division, NW Region
12.
CS Rifem
Mbven Sub Division, Bui Division, NW Region
13.
PS Rifem
Mbven Sub Division, Bui Division, NW Region
14.
GTC Robeta Kikaikom
Rural Kikaikom, Bui Division, NW Region
15.
GTC Ngyem Mbo
Mbengwi Sub Division, Momo Division, NW Region
16.
GTC Ntigi Bambili
Tubah Sub Division, Mezam Division, NW Region
17.
CETIC Makenene
Makenene Sub Division, Mbam et Inoubou Division, Centre
Region
18.
Ecole Maternelle de Mock Sud
Makenene Sub Division, Mbam et Inoubou Division, Centre
Region
19.
Ecole Publique de Mock-Sud
Makenene Sub Division, Mbam et Inoubou Division, Centre
Region
20
CES Makenene
Makenene Sub Division, Mbam et Inoubou Division, Centre
Region
21.
EP Ngokop
Makenene Sub Division, Mbam et Inoubou Division, Centre
Region
22
CES Biakoa
Biakoa Sub Division, Mbam et Kim Division, Centre Region
23.
GBPS Manjo Centre
Manjo Sub-Division, Moungo Division, Littoral Region
24.
CNS (St Francis of Assisi) Manjo
Manjo Sub-Division, Moungo Division, Littoral Region
25.
Lenale Ndem Community School
Melong Sub-Division, Moungo Division, Littoral Region
Page 27 of 51
26.
GBPS Upper Bayelle
Bamenda III Sub-Division, Mezam Division, NW Region
27.
CBC Menda
Bamenda III Sub-Division, Mezam Division, NW Region
28.
GTC Nkeung
Bamenda III Sub-Division, Mezam Division, NW Region
29.
GS Nkom-nkom
Fundong Sub-Division, Boyo Division, NW Region
30.
GS Ikuijua
Fundong Sub-Division, Boyo Division, NW Region
31.
GS Atuabuh
Fundong Sub-Division, Boyo Division, NW Region
32.
GBHS Fundong
Fundong Sub-Division, Boyo Division, NW Region
33.
GS Bonam-Ngwah
Fundong Sub-Division, Boyo Division, NW Region
32.
IPS Sabongari
Nwa Sub-Division, Donga-Mantung Division, NW Region
33.
PS Sabongari
Nwa Sub-Division, Donga-Mantung Division, NW Region
34.
EPC St Francois Xavier_Pitoa
North Cameroon
35.
EPC St Kizito de Gaschiga
North Cameroon
36.
CS St Kizito_Guider
North Cameroon
37.
Ecole St Joseph_Boulai
North Cameroon
38.
College St Andre de Ngong
North Cameroon
39.
GNS Nchemba II
Manyu Division, South West Region
40.
GHS Bamunkumbit
Balikumbat Sub Division, Ngoketunjia Division, North West Region
41.
Ancilla College Bali
Bali Sub Division, North West Region
42.
GS Wokoko
Kupe Muanengoba Division, South West Region
43.
GS Mbabe
Kupe Muanengoba Division, South West Region
44.
Regina Coeli
Kupe Muanengoba Division, South West Region
45.
CES Padam
Far North Region of Cameroon
46.
EP Kourong
Far North Region of Cameroon
47.
EP Padjani
Far North Region of Cameroon
48.
CETIC Bangana
Far North Region of Cameroon
49.
EP Bagara
Far North Region of Cameroon
50.
EP Kalaki
Far North Region of Cameroon
51.
EP Kro-Waiffi
Far North Region of Cameroon
52.
EP Mayele-Ebe
Far North Region of Cameroon
53.
GSS Bangshie
Bamenda I Sub Division, Mezam Division, North West Region
54.
GTHS Bamendankwe
Bamenda I Sub Division, Mezam Division, North West Region
Constructed or refurbished and equipped classrooms handed over to communities
In 2014 SHUMAS constructed 53 classrooms in 21 schools, refurbished 13 in 3 schools, equipped them with 481
benches, 66 teachers’ tables, and 66 teachers’ chairs. 16 toilet compartments with hand washing facilities were
constructed in 16 of these schools, a School Environmental Program established in 16 schools.
Page 28 of 51
The Scholarship Project
The scholarship project is a component of the SHUMAS Education Program. For the academic year 2014/2015, SHUMAS
gave 150 scholarships to vulnerable children to have access to formal education. Beneficiaries are from the primary to the
tertiary level of education and spread all over Cameroon.
Page 29 of 51
Women Empowerment Program
One of SHUMAS eight integrated rural development programs is the Women Empowerment (WE) Program, which has as
objective to enhance capacities of rural women for sustainable self-reliance and economic community development. One of the
main activities of this program is the SHUMAS microfinance scheme.
Another activity of this programs is the SHUMAS-Manos Unidas project titled “Empowerment of village women through
productive capacity building and sustainable support on profitable pig/sheep farming” and also the VGIF, USA pig production
project. The goal of the trainings is to empower rural women with skills in animal farming for self, family, and community
economic development. At the end of each training, each trainee takes home an improved specie of a female piglet or mature
sheep and one bag of animal feed for continuity.
In 2014 SHUMAS carried out the following workshops and achieved the following:
Type
Microfinance evaluation
Capacity building workshop
Pig and sheep farming workshop
workshop
No.
2
2
2
Activity
- Loan refund
Food processing:
- Pig and sheep farming training
- loaning
- bananas to banana cake
- Pig farming training
- reporting
- plantains to plantain chips
- Monitoring and evaluation
Social Welfare Program
It has been internationally proven that the official rate of unemployment for the physically handicap persons is far higher
compared to the percentage for physically able persons. Due to discrimination and misunderstanding, people with special
needs are often uneducated and poorly equipped to get basic life necessities such as medication, education, economic
opportunities, etc. Unfortunately, experiences and competencies of people with special needs are not maximized, even
though people with special needs have proven themselves to be productive members of the society.
The goal of the SHUMAS Social Welfare Program is to improve the lives of people with special needs through life skills
training and other rehabilitation activities so as to enable them to become economically independent. The trades include
traditional embroidery, shoe mending and making, knitting, sewing, jewelry, hairdressing, and cane weaving. In this same
program there is the Janet Clark Mental Health Clinic, where the mentally ill are consulted and provided
psychotherapeutic drugs and some trained in life-skills trades already outlined.
In 2014, the SHUMAS Vocational Rehabilitation Centre (VRC) graduated 9 trainees of the 3rd batch, who had each taken
a 2 years training course in some of the trades. The graduating trainees also received end of training certificates and start
up material from SHUMAS and some people of goodwill.
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Graduate receives certificate from SHUMAS Director.
Graduates receive certificates and start up material from government representatives
In 2014 also, 17 trainees from different regions of Cameroon were recruited at the SHUMAS VRC to be trained for two
years on income generating activities
New trainees and their trainers
Shoe mending and making workshop
Knitting workshop
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Health Program
The objective of this program is to improve the health status of those living in peasant communities by enhancing their
access to health services through training nurses for village health centers, providing health facilities, and giving
educational health talks to target groups. Based on need assessments, one of the most felt needs identified by
communities is the problem of inadequate health infrastructure and limited access to good medical services. SHUMAS
uses a participatory approach that involves communities in selecting their nurse candidates and requires community
support for the construction and rehabilitation of health centres.
In her Spreading Health project this year, SHUMAS has sponsored the training as state registered nurses of 21
candidates who will return to serve their communities after graduation. SHUMAS is currently refurbishing the Kovifem
Health Centre in Bui Division, North West Region and recently handed over health equipment to Bipock Integrated Health
Centre in Ndom Sub Division, Sanaga Maritime Division, Littoral Region.
Some newly recruited 2014 Spreading Health students
Spreading Health Alumni Meeting
Page 32 of 51
Agriculture Program
Through a need assessment exercise with peasant farmers and youths as the target group, SHUMAS identified problems
of low crop and livestock yields resulting from declining soil fertility, poor seeds, improper management techniques and
decreasing household farm sizes in the face of increasing population. SHUMAS then designed the Agriculture Program to
provide some solutions to these problems.
The goal of this program is to enhance the income level of peasant farmers through sustainable agriculture, food
availability and environmental sustainability.
In 2014 SHUMAS sent out 35 youths who for two years received practical and theoretical training in climate smart
agriculture at the SHUMAS Biofarm Centre. The two years course was carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of
Agriculture and the Ministry of Livestock under the AFOP (Programme d’appui a la rénovation au développement de la
formation professionnelle dans les secteurs de l’ègriculture de l’évage et des pèches) Program. The 2014 outgoing
participants completed their training with a 96.69% score.
Some AFOP students and their supervisors at the SHUMAS Biofarm Training Centre
Participants of long course training receiving theoretical lessons
Practical training on solanium potatoes cultivation
After publicity through community animation on SHUMAS long course and AFOP programs, applications were received,
written and oral tests conducted, and 35 new candidates were recruited to start training in January 2015.
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Insertion of ex-trainees
Towards the end of 2014 the territorial commission in charge of validating ex-trainees’ projects for funding was appointed
and trained at the Biofarm centre. The commission comprises11 members of stakeholder representatives of the Biofarm.
Mme Billian Nyuykighan was elected as the president of the territorial commission assisted by Shufai Yuwar. The first 5
ex-trainees presented their projects to this team and all their projects were validated.
Territorial commission during defense of ex-trainees’ projects
Sheep /Pig production and management
450 women have been trained on sheep and pig management and production, given animals and feed to start up and
most of the animals have had lambs and piglets.
Mekom Bonje, her family, sheep and twin lambs
Mengjo Gwendoline feeding her pig
Statistic on use of SHUMAS Climate smart agriculture centre, Biofarm
The following trainings are carried out yearly in the Biofarm:

Long course for 2 years benefiting youths from 16 to 35years. This project trains 70 trainees yearly
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
Long course for 10 months benefiting youths from 16 to 35 years to gain experience and practice agriculture.
This project trains 20 trainees yearly

Short course (5-14 days) benefiting farmers from 35 years and above. This project trains 400 people yearly

Study visitors from schools, institutions who come on research and excursion trips, about 800 yearly

Students on internships from different universities. The more than 30 students this year is an indicator the
orgnaisation will have more than 100 in the coming years, especially as the Cameroon Ministry of Higher
Education has made internship one of the criteria for obtaining an end of course university degree.
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Program
The overall objective of this program is to reduce incidents of water related diseases in rural communities in Cameroon.
Specific objectives of the program include improving community awareness on water use and management, improving
schools program on WASH, have many more people benefit from clean water, curb water pollution, and reduce farmergrazer problems around spring areas. SHUMAS is however facing the challenges of limited water technology in
Cameroon, which if advanced, it could in tend improve the quality of surface water such as streams, rivers, rainwater,
which are harvested substitutes for potable water, but are not so clean, and are hard to treat. Following this need and
challenge, SHUMAS embarks on the construction of rural and urban poor water schemes specialising in gravity flow and
well constructions.
In 2014 SHUMAS enabled the use of potable water in 8 communities: Kourom community in the West Region, Ngouetou
and Ngokop communities in the Centre Region, Newlayout, Nzenefor, Nchini, Bawe Ngeptang, and Kirumen communities
in the North West Region. The SHUMAS WASH results in 2014 are presented in the following chart:
Environmental Protection and Management Program
Page 35 of 51
The goal of this program is to contribute in meeting the challenges of climate change through practical training on organic
farming, tree planting techniques, renewable energy, water catchment protection, and lessons on current environmental
trends. In 2014 SHUMAS and her partners, Energy without Borders from Spain and Switzerland succeeded in installing
and using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric energy to light some remote communities of
Cameroon. She established a School Environmental Program in some of her schools constructed, planted Pygium
Africana for water protection, and donated nursed neem trees to schools constructed in the North of Cameroon. The
results are tabulated as follows:
Renewable Energy
Type
Wind
Beneficiary
Equipment
Community
obtained/Installed
Director’s biofarm
Wind turbine, bulbs
residence, Bamdzeng
solar
solar
Ardo’s Fulani
Solar panels, batteries &
Community, Bamdzeng
bulbs
Mosque, Bamdzeng
Solar panels, batteries &
bulbs
solar
solar
solar
CBC School,
Solar panels, batteries,
Bamdzeng
bulbs & computers
CBC Health Centre,
Solar refrigerator, solar
Bamdzeng
panels, batteries & bulbs
Human Clinic
Solar refrigerator, solar
Biofarm
solar
Health Centre, Kovki
panels, batteries & bulbs
Solar panels, batteries &
bulbs
solar
Health Centre, Lip
Solar panels, batteries &
bulbs
solar
Health Centre, Rifem
Solar panels, batteries &
bulbs
hydroelectricity
Bamdzeng
Page 36 of 51
Ins Installation of a mini
hydroelectricity
plant
through a 1 km pipe line
dam, a power house and
a turbine house
Protection of water
Activity
catchments
SH SHUMAS planted over 1800 Pygium Africana tree seedlings from ANAFOR on 3
hectares of land for subsequent water catchment protection
School
Activity
Some Beneficiary Schools
Environmental
Program
SHUMAS donated hoes, lances,
G. G.S.S Buh, G.H.S Nkar, P.S. Mbveh, G.T.C Kale,
C.B.C Kishiy, C.S Rifem, G.S.S Njindom, G.T.C
cutlasses, watering cans,
Ntigi, E.P Djafga, E.P Ouro Boubi
nursed neem trees, etc
Volunteering and Internship Programs
The main objective of the Volunteering Program is to help young and older persons gain and share useful experiences in
the sphere of development, as well as support the organisation to attain its objectives. In 2014 SHUMAS gave this
opportunity to 46 national and international volunteers
The objective of the Internship Program is to meet the requirement by the Ministry of Higher Education to form students
for professional excellence by combining classroom theory with field practice, and SHUMAS gives students the
opportunity to practice in fields related to their research domains. In 2014 SHUMAS gave internship placement to at least
30 students from home and foreign universities, and several institutions of professional learning.
Internship
SN
Institution
No
1
National Polytechnic Bambui, Bamenda, Cameroon
2
2
Advance School of Mass Communication, Yaounde
1
3
Higher Institute of the Sahel, University of Maroua, Cameroon
4
4
Lead University Centre for International Development, Yaounde, Cameroon
1
5
Centre for Information & Technological Communication (CITEC), Yaounde, Cameroon
1
6
University of Buea, Cameroon
3
Page 37 of 51
7
Higher Technical Teacher Training College (HTTTC) Bambili, University of Bamenda, Cameroon
2
8
Higher Teacher Training College (HTTC) Bambili, University of Bamenda, Cameroon
3
9
University of Dschang, Cameroon
1
10
University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
1
11
Cameroon Christian University, Kumba, Cameroon
2
12
Bamenda University of Science and Technology (BUST), Cameroon
4
13
National Advance School of Public Works, Buea, Cameroon
1
14
Regional College of Agriculture, Bambili, Cameroon
3
15
University of Yaounde 1, Cameroon
1
Total
30
Volunteering
Projects in progress
The preceding information and statistics presented are indicators that SHUMAS has achieved much in 2014 and is
making a significant contribution in supporting the Cameroon government in its development plan. In spite of the
achievements some projects are still in progress and more will be realised. The stalled Taah Mbveh water project is being
revived and the school projects in the Far North, EP Bagara and EP Kro-Waiti have just started off. The Market Makers’
Page 38 of 51
Mbiame projects had been highlighted during the Market Makers’ tour. Some more ongoing projects include classrooms,
health centre, and bridge projects such as:
GTC Ntigi
Government Technical College (GTC) Ntigi Bambili is
located in Ntigi village, Tubah Sub-Division, Mezam
Division, North West Region of Cameroon.
GTC Nkeung
Government Technical College (GTC) Nkeung is
located in Nkeung village in the Nkwen Fondom,
Bamenda, North West Region, Cameroon.
CNS Manjo
St. Francis of Assissi Catholic Nursery School (CNS)
Manjo is located on the foothills of the Maninguba
Mountain, in Batchingu village, Manjo Sub Division
Muongo Division, in the Littoral Region of Cameroon.
Page 39 of 51
Kovifem Community Health Centre
Kovifem Community Health
Centre is located in Bui
Division, North West Region,
Cameroon.
Roh Kimbo School Middle Bridge
Roh Kimbo School Middle Bridge is located in Kumbo Central Sub Division, Bui Division, North West region, Cameroon
RR
Roh Kimbo School Bridge before SHUMAS intervention
Roh Kimbo School Bridge in progress after SHUMAS intervention
Projected Projects
SHUMAS awaits the homecoming of her partners
Page 40 of 51
Michael Holgate
SHUMAS awaits the third homecoming of her partner, British volunteer, Michael Holgate. Mr. Holgate is an independent
volunteer from AidCamps volunteers from the UK. The program helps western volunteers coming in through AidCamps
International to help through working hands on and at the same time raise money for a specific project of his or her
choice, which is implemented during the volunteering duration.
During his first trip in 2008, Mr. Holgate assisted SHUMAS in working hands on, and funding the digging of the wells at
Government School (GS) Mbande. At this time he lived in Mbande village, with cocks still kept under his sleeping bed to
crow and act as his clock and remind him of time that it was midnight, 3pm, dawn, etc., and he really enjoyed it.
During the second trip he assisted several SHUMAS projects in Vekovi village. He also lived in Vekovi village, worked
hands on as well and provided funds that helped in:

Rehabilitating the roof and ceiling of the Vekovi Health Centre

Equipping the health center with beds, cupboards, a motor cycle, laboratory equipment, mattresses, bed sheets,
etc.

Construction of retaining wall at Islamic Primary School, Vekovi, playground, and fence around the school

Established a tree plantation to help reduce the carbon foot print of benefactor

Trained an assistant nurse to help in the Vekovi Health Center

Supported a poor peasant farming group with a kerosene driven fridge involved in dairy farming to sustain the
production and storage of milk and yoghourt

Supported another poor peasant farming group with a Revolving Fund
Ward beds provided to Vekovi Health Centre
A refrigerator and modern delivery bed provided to Vekovi Health Centre
Page 41 of 51
In 2015, Mr. Michael Holgate will be volunteering at the Health Center in Dom village, Nkor-Noni Sub division, North West
Region of Cameroon. Nkor-Noni is one of the poor communities in Cameroon. Dom Health Centre was constructed by the
government of Cameroon about three years ago unfortunately the community has not been able to get the health center
functional due to lack of basic equipment and a nurse to run the centre. SHUMAS and Spreading Health, UK sponsored
the three year training of a state registered nurse, Chem Lawan, who is now back in Dom village and ready to work but no
basic equipment as aforementioned.
SHUMAS and Spreading Health, UK are elated to announce that state registered nurse, Chem Lawan came 5th in the
whole Cameroon in the government organised state registered nurses examination and 1st in his school.
Money raised by Mr. Holgate will be used to procure basic equipment, drugs, and connect water that will enable the Dom
Health Centre to go functional and he will also be working with Mr. Lawan in the health centre during this volunteering
term. SHUMAS wishes Mr. Holgate a safe trip and a pleasant stay in Cameroon.
Solar Panel Engineer, Norman Phipps
SHUMAS also awaits the third homecoming of her partner, British solar panel engineer, Mr. Norman Phipps. During his
first visit to SHUMAS-Cameroon, Mr. Phipps gave a training on solar panels at the SHUMAS biofarm. As a follow-up to
the sustainability of this training, Mr. Phipps invited SHUMAS senior technician, Godfrey Ngoh to represent SHUMAS and
participate at the solar panel and battery powered LED lights construction workshop, UK. During his third visit, Mr. Phipps
will install three solar panels to complement three SHUMAS projects: one at Catholic Primary School (CS) Rifem, one at
the Government Technical High School (GTC) Nkeung, and one at the Community Health Centre, Ngomrin. SHUMAS
wishes Mr. Phipps a safe trip and a pleasant stay in Cameroon.
SHUMAS schools to be handed over in the first quarter of 2015
According to her operational calendar SHUMAS plans to hand over the following school projects in the first quarter of
2015: GTC Nkeung, GTC Ntigi, CNS Manjo, Government Bilingual Primary School (GBPS), Upper Bayele, the Mbiame
projects, all in the North West Region of Cameroon; and in the Far North Region of Cameroon she will hand over Ecole
Publique (EP) Waiffi and EP Bagara.
SHUMAS water projects to be handed over in the first quarter of 2015
In the first quarter of 2015, SHUMAS plans to hand over two water projects to two communities of Balepo and Baleque in
the West Region of Cameroon.
The SHUMAS Women Empowerment micro credit scheme
The SHUMAS Women Empowerment Program biannual workshop as usual is planned to take place in two zones, Kumbo
and Bamenda in March 2015. During this workshop micro finance loans will be given to the women, the respect of terms
of contract on these loans evaluated and more strategies and projects proposed to enhance women’s economic
Page 42 of 51
capacities. There will also be a cookery practical lesson to vary the women’s income generating activities and also
mainstreaming of other projects such as productive health talks.
Article
The Technical Department of SHUMAS-Cameroon
by Clovis Kongnyuy
Meet the young technical hands that work on SHUMAS projects. Mr Clovis Kongnyuy is a Technician in Building and
Construction and is presently one of the energetic and committed technicians in SHUMAS-Cameroon. He simultaneously
works hands on projects and supervises.
Clovis supervises and work hands on SHUMAS projects
The Technical Department in SHUMAS is one of the most influential as it carries out a lot of activities towards the realisation of
projects in all SHUMAS programs. As part of the team that is working towards the achievement of the millennium development
goals as well as improving lives of needy communities, the department has varieties of activities that are carried out to attain its
objectives. These activities include conducting feasibility studies, working on quantities and estimates and the implementation
phase.
Technical feasibility studies entail a lot of planning and follow up. For instance, when applications are received in the office,
the feasibility is planned by management and contacts of community representatives are given to a team of technicians
from the office who then go to the field to carry out this study, taking into consideration specific problem areas. If it is a technical
feasibility for the construction of schools, the technician examines the state of the structure in which classes are ongoing, or
where the new classrooms will be constructed and does analysis at different levels such as:
Foundation: This is the most important part of a structure as it determines its lifespan. For this reason the technician takes his
time to study this foundation, or the soil type to determine if it is sustainable.
Walls: The walls of a structure also play an important role as they protect users from rain, sun and wind. In addition they make
the structure and environment a conducive area for learning. This is why it is very necessary to do a good analysis of the walls.
Page 43 of 51
Floors: The natural state of the soil determines the type of floor that will be suitable for the area, so the technician on site takes
all these in to consideration before he gives his report. From these points and the need assessment done with the community, a
good report is being written.
Quantities: SHUMAS takes a participatory approach in helping communities to realise their project. For this reason the
community has a series of activities to carry out which include the provision of local materials in specific quantities. The
technical team visits prospective beneficiaries to evaluate the availability of local materials ensuring they have been supplied in
the right quantities. The provision of local materials has specifications and must be respected in order to have good quality
work. This is another stage that shows how committed and ready a community is towards the project.
Estimates: Depending on the type of project, design, planning and estimates have to be made for the supply of industrial
material, and this is SHUMAS’ contribution towards the project. The construction of classrooms, health centres, water
catchments/tanks, stand taps and bridges are some of these projects. Quantities of industrial materials like cement, iron rods,
binding wire, nails, zinc and paint are well estimated to ensure that work is perfectly executed, and the materials strictly
supervised at every stage of the project.
Implementation: In every project, the implementation phase is the most important as all documented aspects are being put to
practice. SHUMAS has a lot of areas in which she intervenes and implementation begins with signing of a protocol agreement
between stakeholders (SHUMAS and community) to ensure that there is commitment and then the implementation of the
project begins, each in its own stages.
Written by Clovis Kongnyuy (Technician in building and Construction: SHUMAS-Cameroon).
Exclusive Interview
SHUMAS interviews Programs Coordinator (PC), Mrs Billian Nyuykighan
Meet the Programs Coordinator (PC) of SHUMAS in an exclusive interview after she returns from a two week trip to Spain
to represent SHUMAS Cameroon, and Africa at the Manos Unidas and CARITAS Internationalis “One human family, food
for all” campaign in October 2014.
At an era when climate change, a plaque scare such as the ebola, natural disasters, wars that tear apart nations, soil
depleting farming practices which are a tradition in some parts of the world, etc., are threatening world food sufficiency,
such a campaign was well-timed. “One human family, food for all” is a confederation-wide campaign by Manos Unidas
and the global Catholic confederation network Caritas Internationalis, which has as goal to end hunger by 2025.
SHUMAS Comm: Please could you tell us your names and administrative function in SHUMAS-Cameroon?
Page 44 of 51
PC: Mrs. Billian Nyuykighan are my names.
I am the Programs
Coordinator for SHUMAS, a position I have held for 10 years after holding
other junior positions in the organisation.
SHUMAS Comm: You are the PC of SHUMAS. You experienced the birth
of SHUMAS, you nurtured it through its primary, secondary, and right up
to her tertiary stage of an NGO. Please share with us what it takes to go
through all of these and what it feels to reach this height.
PC: Yes, SHUMAS started out of nothing completely. It started from
scratch in 1996 and in 1997 it was registered as an NGO per the law in
force. Most NGOs used to begin from defunct international organisations
but we started SHUMAS from nothing. It was not an easy beginning as we
needed to get in contact with target groups, set the office, mobilize
volunteers to work and even convince people. We were serious and
different from many other pocket and brief case NGOs that were existing by then. Many people looked at NGOs as groups of
non-serious people. Mr Ndzerem Stephen Njodzeka, the founder and pioneer Director of SHUMAS is a great visionary,
indefatigable, and hardly gives in to any adversaries to any course he believes in. He will do everything for it to survive and if it
means spending his personal income. This is the underlying drive to the success of SHUMAS today. He will motivate everyone
and frown on those who deliberately want to retard the growth of the organisation. Notwithstanding the rough and difficult
environment to nurture a new organisation he remained focused, patient, and devoted. He will always motivate and pull all of us
to focus on the inputs, so that we could have good results in the future. This was one of the key factors that encouraged me to
abandon my lucrative job at a financial institution, so that, I could also put a weight to this organisation right from its early days. I
am proud that, I am one of the great pillars that started from the foundation to improve the lives of those in greater needs. This
encourages me every day because I see our efforts making greater impacts on the lives of those who are unfortunate. I do not
regret any second of my life.
We used to spend about 3 million Frs every year and more than 80% funding came from the founding Director himself and the
first ever funded project only came in 2000, 4 years after. Thereafter, we had just one funded micro project and only every two
years. Notwithstanding huge amounts of money the Director supported us with, we still had huge debts. We used to spend more
than 500,000 Frs in a month hiring vehicles for field work. There were no telephones, no internet. There was only one computer
for the whole of Bamenda which served everyone. It wasn’t easy at all. We are glad that, 18 years after we have been able to
put on/our dreams on the ground and it is helping millions of Cameroonians in all the 10 regions.
This organisation was formed at the time when some most funding agencies had lost confidence with most African organisation
due to mismanagement of funds. It was not easy for us to convince people to support our endeavours. But gradually as we had
opportunity to implement projects in a satisfactory manner to all stakeholders, some funding organisations started seeing that
there were some organisations that could be trusted.
One of the greatest problems we faced had to do with communication. We wrote many letters using the snail post office and it
took months before we could expect any feedback. About .90% of the letters were not given any response. Just about 2% most
often than not would simply ask for referees and track records which we didn’t have because we were just beginning.
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Communication at the time was only through the fixed phone which was not only expensive but unreliable. Very few people
owned telephones and few were telephones booths found around to serve hundreds of thousands of people. For telephone
address /number, you only negotiated with a person with a public telephone booth where thousands of people will give the
same number / address to their own contacts and pass say twice a week to verify whether someone had called.
To carry out feasibility of projects was not easy. We hired taxis, which was very costly and demanding especially in the rainy
seasons as some of the roads were too muddy and we ended up spending much time pushing the vehicle. In some
communities vehicles go only on market days. If you miss a vehicle you were going to spend another one week in that village.
These are just the few instances of challenges we encountered.
Today SHUMAS is visible in all the ten regions of Cameroon, having an office space, committed staff who share the vision of
the organisation. Her activities have impacted so many lives in many communities. Other organisations look on SHUMAS as
their role model, and institutions / organisations want to copy her approach to development.
I am delighted that I was part of this organisation from its beginning. Many people have bought the vision of this organisation
and it is growing from strength to strength. I will continue to work for the growth of mankind.
SHUMAS Comm: For two weeks in October of 2014 you were an active participant at an international campaign run by Manos
Unidas and CARITAS International - Spain on “One human family, food for all” in Spain. In what role did you attend this
campaign? And what was your contribution as SHUMAS-Cameroon?
PC: I was invited as a representative of SHUMAS and one of the key long-time partners of Manos Unidas in Cameroon. The
objective of this trip was to participate in a series of activities related to the international campaign in Spain run by Caritas
international called “One human family, food for all”. One human family, food for all, is a confederation-wide campaign
organised by the global Catholic confederation Caritas International aimed at ending hunger by 2025. In Spain the campaign
was managed by Caritas -Spain and Manos Unidas – Spain, the latter being a longtime partner of SHUMAS – Cameroon as I
already mentioned.
President of Manos Unidas & SHUMAS PC demonstrate partnership Manos Unidas Hean branch President (middle) and SHUMAS PC
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The whole campaign turned around the number one MDG, this was to eradicate hunger by 2015. We are already a month into
2015 and this has not been achieved.”
It is estimated that by 2050 the world population will grow to 90 billion and on the contrary food will only be available for 60
billion. That means 30 billion people will be left hungry, worst of all coupled with climate variation.
This campaign therefore focuses on good practices on food security that could enhance to eradicate hunger by 2025. The
SHUMAS integrated organic farming, training and demonstration centre located in Kumbo, some 11 km from the city is one of
such initiatives that could help to overcome the problem.
Three continent were invited: Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
From Africa, an African experience by SHUMAS – Cameroon was presented to share her experiences on initiatives to respond
to global climate change defiance, droughts and/or sustainable agriculture models, including soil maintenance, recovery, the
environment, etc.
From Asia, Cambodia focused on community development and production
From Latin America, Ecuador and Peru focused on nutrition and political influence in councils in order to guarantee food
security.
My Contribution on behalf of the institution was simply to share our experience at the SHUMAS integrated organic farming,
training and demonstration centre.
The centre that trains youths, farmers, students on internship on practical ways of improving soil fertility which include:
composting, night pad-docking, agro forestry, mixed farming, crop rotation, biogas slurry, etc, without using chemical fertilizers
and pesticides which are some of the drivers of global warming.
Representatives from Africa, Asia, and Latin America invited to the campaign
The importance of training women who are the managers of their families whose contribution cannot be ignored as long as
production chains are concerns.
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SHUMAS PC, Billian Nyuykighan (middle) presents SHUMAS’ contribution
audience at one of the roundtable sessions
Training of school children and creation of organic school gardens to empower the future leader’s on sustainable agriculture and
instil these values in our children at the tender age.
Food processing was not left out as it adds value to the produce.
And above all there is a need for these women to have access to credit, good seeds and water. These are factors in the
production chain.
SHUMAS Comm: What were your main activities and achievements?
PC: The main activities were:
(1) To participate in the World Food Day which was celebrated on the 16th of October and
(2) To give presentation on SHUMAS’ experiences on climate smart agriculture and soil improvement in twelve Spanish cities in two
weeks. The main activities included a one minute short movies from school children relating to hunger, poverty and land
grabbing.
As achievements, I did presentations on SHUMAS’ experiences on climate smart agriculture and soil improvement in twelve
Spanish cities, I participate in the World Food Day.
The President of Manos Unidas Mme. Soledad Suarez in her speech appealed to the Spanish Government to devote 7% of the
budget to fight against hunger. The message of Pope Francis emphasised on one human family to fight poverty and hunger.
There was a roundtable discussion relating to food security and climate change in which I was part. This occasion was graced
by a dance of disabled persons from Cambodia.
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President of Manos Unidas, Mme Soledad Suarez’s speech
Persons with special needs from Cambodia
SHUMAS PC does another presentation
and the Spanish traditional dance entertain audiences at the campaign
I gave presentations in the following cities: Mardid, Zamora, Salanmanca, Ovido, Santader, Burgos, LaRioja, Zaragoza, Teruel,
Valencia, Hean, and Svilla. Presentations took the form of a round table discussion, power point etc. Many people were
interested to know what the Government of Cameroon is doing to support this wonderful initiative. Surprisingly, the people were
moved to hear the wonderful contribution our Government had been making and continue to make in improving the agricultural
sector, subsidizing the training of youths and supporting them to be become agricultural entrepreneurs. The provision of a 10km
access road to the centre, now 6km left for it to be completed. SHUMAS is always invited to attend meetings and give her own
contribution in this sector.
SHUMAS Comm: What are some of the lessons or experiences you brought back, which could improve SHUMAS in general, and
in particular the Agriculture, and Women Empowerment programs?
PC: We need to continue and improve what we had been doing in a more sustainable manner: farmers are the key actors in the
production chain and should be included during policy making. Creating awareness to the public on the current trend of things
like climate change variation that affects production is vital. Farmers (children, youth, and adults) need more training, farmers
should be given credit in order to acquire their farm inputs of seeds, tools etc. Food processing should be encouraged;
availability of water is primordial in all aspects. Nutrition and health lessons should be mainstreamed, alternative energy sources
should be promoted, for instance biogas, wind, solar, and hydro.
SHUMAS Comm: What were some of the challenges encountered during this two weeks trip?
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PC: The challenge was the language difficulty as I cannot speak Spanish, but this was overcome as I had volunteers from Manos
Unidas and Caritas that did their very best to interpret everything for me. In all places where I had a presentation, there was a
ready interpreter. I wish to use this media to heartily thank everyone who contributed in one way or the other for my trip to be
successful from planning to implementation.
Overall, my organisation and I were really very impressed because SHUMAS has successfully worked with Manos Unidas for
more than 15 years, but we never had the opportunity to visit their Head Office in Madrid, which is helping thousands of
Cameroonians in greater need.
Some members of the dynamic team that assisted SHUMAS PC at the campaign
SHUMAS Comm: Apart from being the PC of SHUMAS you are also a wife, and a mother. How do you handle all these roles and
ensure success in each sphere, especially in a resourceful organisation like SHUMAS where it is work around the clock?
PC: Everything is planning. I am a mother of three and I brought up all my children while working for SHUMAS from inception. I buy
the vision of SHUMAS. Most of my work is done in the night and during the day I mostly attend to people. Seeing the impact of
SHUMAS’ work in the field, I feel fulfilled.
SHUMAS Comm: Thank you Mme. PC for accepting this interview.
SHUMAS thanks all her fans and partners for their support in 2014 and
wishes them a happy and prosperous 2015
SHUMAS-Cameroon
P.O Box 5047, Mile Six Nkwen Bamenda
Tel: +237 6777755630
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.shumas-cameroon.org
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