“La signature du protocole d’accord représente la poursuite de la relation de travail solide entre le gouvernement du comté de Vihiga et le Water Project, reconnaissant notre mission commune de fournir un accès à l’eau aux communautés de Vihiga, d’assurer la durabilité à long terme de l’infrastructure WASH, et de construire et partager les connaissances entre les acteurs du secteur”, a expliqué Emma Kelly, Directrice de programme, The Water Project.
 

Regional Director of The Water Project Humphrey Buradi and His Excellency The Governor of Vihiga County, Dr. Wilber Khasilwa Ottichilo at MOU signing

L’engagement du Water Project dans l’Ouest du Kenya a commencé il y a plus de 12 ans. L’organisation, qui dirige et travaille par l’intermédiaire du personnel local et des partenaires du réseau, notamment le Western Water and Sanitation Forum (WEWASAFO) et la Friends of Timothy Foundation (FOTF), s’associe aux communautés pour surveiller et entretenir près de 1 300 projets relatifs à l’eau mis en œuvre dans la région. Ces projets hydrauliques ont un impact sur environ 450 000 personnes.

Son excellence le Gouverneur du Comté de Vihiga, Dr Wilber Khasilwa Ottichilo, a déclaré : “L’eau est l’une de nos priorités. Le partenariat [avec The Water Project] prévoit la mise en œuvre d’interventions visant à fournir de l’eau et des installations sanitaires aux habitants de Vihiga.”

The Water Project travaille à une couverture complète de l’eau et de l’assainissement dans ses zones de service, en commençant par le Sous-Comté de Hamisi à Vihiga. L’organisation met en œuvre des programmes d’eau et d’assainissement par le biais du forage de puits, de la réhabilitation de puits, de la protection des sources naturelles, de la collecte des eaux de pluie, de la fourniture d’installations sanitaires et de la promotion de l’hygiène pour les communautés et les institutions vulnérables.

En 2022, The Water Project a réalisé un exercice de cartographie identifiant 16 021 points d’eau publics et privés, dans différents états d’utilisation, afin de comprendre l’étendue réelle du travail nécessaire pour atteindre une couverture en eau de base pour tous les résidents. L’organisation publiera les résultats de ce travail plus tard dans l’année, à mesure que les plans à plus long terme pour la région se préciseront.

“Nous sommes enthousiastes et humbles à l’idée de pouvoir poursuivre et approfondir notre engagement envers la population de l’ouest du Kenya en fournissant un accès à une eau propre, sûre et fiable à ceux qui souffrent aujourd’hui inutilement sans cette ressource”, a déclaré Peter Chasse, Président et Fondateur, The Water Project.

_______

Le Comté de Vihiga est situé dans la region-Ouest du Kenya. Le comté compte cinq Sous-Comtés : Luanda, Emuhaya, Hamisi, Sabatia et Vihiga.

Le Water Project, une organisation à but non lucratif basée aux États-Unis, dont le siège régional se trouve à Kakamega, au Kenya, libère le potentiel humain en fournissant des projets d’eau fiables aux communautés d’Afrique subsaharienne. Pour en savoir plus, consultez le site: thewaterproject.org.

Courtney Field
Directeur  du Marketing,
The Water Project
603-369-3858
Courtney@thewaterproject.org

Ce communiqué de presse est publié par Africa Newswire™ (www.africanewswire.net) – un service de fil de presse pour l’Afrique, et il est distribué par EmailWire™(www.emailwire.com) - le service mondial de fil de presse qui assure la distribution de communiqués de presse avec des résultats garantis™.

Josiane Kouagheu
Douala-Cameroun

Vous organisez du 9 au 11 octobre prochain, la journée de la jeune fille à Douala. Qu’en est-il exactement ?

Francine Ngo Iboum, présidente de l’association Soutien aux victimes d’agressions sexuelles

L’association SAVAS dont je suis la présidente fondatrice a décidé cette année d’organiser la 3^ème édition de la journée internationale de la fille en collaboration avec la délégation régionale du ministère de la Promotion de la femme et de la famille (Minproff). Cette journée dont l’existence est encore ignorée par la grande majorité des camerounais a été instaurée en 2011 par l’ONU en vue de mettre en évidence les inégalités de genre qui subsistent entre filles et garçons, et combattre les différentes formes de discrimination et d’abus dont souffrent les filles dans le monde entier. Pour la célébration de cette année, nous organisons trois jours d’activités qui iront du 09 (ce jour) au 11 Octobre à la salle des fêtes d’Akwa (Douala, ndlr). Il s’agira entre autres : d’expositions ; de prestations artistiques, de partages d’expériences, d’ateliers thématiques. « Les jeunes filles face au phénomène de violences sexuelles », « les jeunes filles face au défi de l’entreprenariat », « tradition et coutume : frein ou tremplin vers l’épanouissement de la jeune fille ? », « réseaux sociaux : éveil ou aliénation de la jeune fille ? » sont quelques-uns des thèmes qui seront développés par des experts lors de cette célébration.

Quelle est la situation actuelle de la jeune fille au Cameroun ?

Il est triste de constater que la jeune fille camerounaise souffre encore de certains problèmes sociaux liés à la tradition, aux coutumes, à la religion, à la culture et même à certains mythes. . Les filles, qu’elles soient adolescentes ou enfants, sont les membres de la société qui ont le moins de droits, au Cameroun comme partout ailleurs dans le monde. Souvent dépourvues du droit de décision, d’accès à l’éducation, à l’information et à l’expression. De plus, elles sont victimes de plusieurs tares telles que le mariage forcé, les abus sexuels, les mutilations génitales, infanticide féminin… ce qui entraine souvent des conséquences néfastes pour elles, aussi bien sur le plan psychologique que physique.

Dans certaines régions du Cameroun, des jeunes filles ne sont pas scolarisées. Les parents privilégient la scolarisation des jeunes garçons. Que peut-on faire pour remédier à cette situation ?

Effectivement, la sous scolarisation de la jeune fille camerounaise est un problème palpable principalement dans les trois régions septentrionales du pays et dans la région de l’Est. La première chose à faire est d’éduquer les mentalités de ces parents qui continuent de penser que la jeune fille n’a pas droit à la parole, donc il faut lui imposer un époux, l’obliger à rester au foyer pour s’occuper du mari et des enfants, à aller au champ, à déambuler dans les rues avec un panier de marchandise sur la tête… Toutefois, le problème est encore plus intense au niveau de ces jeunes filles elles-mêmes qu’on a réussi à convaincre que l’école ne leur sert à rien d’autre qu’à les abrutir encore plus et que leur place est dans les lieux cités plus haut. On en a vu qui pleuraient, se roulaient même au sol parce qu’on les a amenées dans une salle de classe, tout simplement parce qu’on leur a fait un lavage de cerveau complet. Pour elles école égale ennemi. Donc cette éducation mentale est non seulement au niveau des parents, mais aussi au niveau des jeunes filles elles-mêmes.

Parlez nous de l’association Savas dont vous êtes présidente ? 

Savas veut dire Soutien Aux Victimes d’Agressions Sexuelles. C’est une association à but non lucratif qui a vu le jour il y a un peu plus d’un an et dont l’objectif principal est de participer à la réhabilitation sociale des victimes de viol et d’autres agressions sexuelles à travers des actions telles l’encadrement et le suivi de leurs aptitudes morales, physiques et psychologiques, le regroupement des victimes autour des plates-formes de discussions et d’échanges et la création des espaces de sensibilisation autour des établissements scolaires et autres.

Pourquoi avez-vous écrit « Fleur brisée » ?

« Fleur Brisée » est mon premier roman que j’ai publié aux éditions l’Harmattan Paris en Juin 2013. C’est un roman autobiographique où je raconte ma propre histoire de viol. Comme j’aime bien le dire, « Fleur Brisée, c’est moi ». Comme avait dit un jour un penseur : « face à toute situation de la vie, il n’y a que trois choix à faire : s’enfuir, être spectateur ou s’engager ». Moi, au risque de me faire traiter d’exhibitionniste comme j’ai souvent entendu,  j’ai choisi de m’engager pour ne pas mourir. En aidant les autres victimes de viol et autres agressions sexuelles, je m’aide moi-même. Ainsi, à la suite de Fleur Brisée, j’ai fondé l’association SAVAS dont l’objectif est cité plus haut. Nous menons un grand nombre d’activités qui ont commencé pendant les vacances qui viennent de s’écouler à travers une vaste campagne de sensibilisation que nous avons mené dans un certain nombre de médias radio et télé. Il était principalement question de sensibiliser les enfants sur les comportements à risque pendant les vacances.

It is the back to school atmosphere in Cameroon and not all the parents and their children are always ready during this period, especially the less privileged kids. The latter reason and some other considerations prompted Councillor Stella Dopgima Eteki Njoh of Buea Council, precisely from Buea Central 3, also known as Stranger Quarter West 1,2 and 3 to reach out to the needy pupils and students from her constituency.

Students from Stranger Quarter, Buea received bags, books, pens, pencils and financial incentives to carry on with the 2014/2015 school year

Some 50 pupils and 5 secondary school students from Stranger Quarter were given bags, books, pens, pencils and financial incentives to carry on with the 2014/2015 academic year.

According to the benefactor, Eteki Njoh, it is a moment of extending a hand of solidarity to her younger brothers and sisters in Stranger Quarter, where she is the Councillor. “I christened the project ‘operation ten thousand a child’ that is spending at least FCFA 10,000 for a child, but from the way things have been going, I have spent more than FCFA 10,000 for each of the 55 needy pupils and students. I know that their education is important. All can be taken away from you except your education. This is a gesture aimed at paying back to where I came from,” she explained.

Delegate of Secondary Education, Francis Ngundu(R) presents gifts to a pupil

Eteki Njoh said her wish is to see the underprivileged children be comfortable in school by providing them with adequate school needs, while promoting academic excellence. “Education is an essential building block that leads to a better life for all and is the key to improving our community, so, brothers and sisters, take advantage of this opportunity and excel in life,” she noted.

She enumerated a series of action plans for Stranger Quarter, which included an adult literacy programme for grandmothers, who are increasingly babysitting for their grandchild (ren). “These mothers of ours need some basic education, especially in administering drugs to the children and communicating with them,” Eteki Njoh explained.

Councillor Stella Njoh presents back to school gifts to a pupil in Stranger Quarter, Buea

Buea Mayor, Patrick Esunge Ekema felt challenged, as the head of the institution that one of his Councillors has taken a positive step ahead, while he is still to do so, after they were elected Councillors for Buea municipality in the 2013 municipal and parliamentary elections. He took a commitment to follow in the direction of Councillor Eteki Njoh, saying he has learnt a lot from Njoh’s gesture. “Let the rest of the Councillors copy the example of Mrs Stella Eteki Njoh. Learning is continuous process. We have to go back to our respective communities and demonstrate similar examples. We have to make our population feel the presence of a Councillor in their constituencies.”

Ekema indicated that the gesture is that of Councillor Eteki Njoh and not Buea Council. “It is her initiative and we thank her for that. There is no sponsorship from Buea Council,” he mentioned.

Southwest Regional Delegate of Secondary Education, Francis Ngundu Mokumba, invited the pupils, the students and their parents to jealously keep the didactic materials and make good use of them. He will add; “Let us continuously help our children, share the little we have and feel for others.”

On behalf of the notables and members of the traditional council of Stranger Quarter, Martin Tabufor of Afosi Bookshop, Buea, expressed glee with the gesture from Councillor Eteki Njoh, while wishing for more from her and the authorities of Buea municipality.

Bridget Briney and Samuel Likafi, all beneficiary students, promised to make good use of the materials given to them and to make their parents and families proud by being assiduous in their school work.

A daughter of Stranger Quarter (L) offers a bouquet of flower to Buea Mayor, Ekema (R) as he arrives in the neighbourhood

Back to School materials for needy pupils and students in Stranger Quarter, Buea

Leading mobile telephony company in Cameroon, Orange, is standing up to its status as a citizen-oriented institution.  In the ongoing 2014/2015 back to school atmosphere in Cameroon, Orange Cameroon, came out in colour and style in its Buea Branch office, where some 134 pupils were given bags, books, pens, pencils and some money to kick start the academic year.

According to the Regional Director Of Orange Cameroon, for the Southwest and Northwest Regions, Richard Achu, his company is giving back to the children of Cameroon, which is part of their corporate – social responsibility. “Orange Cameroon is making a lot of gains from the people of Cameroon, so, it is also our responsibility to give back to the nation, especially to the less privileged. This time we have focussed our attention to some nursery and primary school kids in the Southwest Region,” he said.

The pupils and officials of Orange raise a hand of hope to all Cameroonian kids

He will add that secondary and high school students are part of the Orange Cameroon back to school gesture earmarked for the 2014/2015 academic year. “To the beneficiary students Orange Cameroon will be offering electronic gadgets like laptops and other didactic materials,” Achu noted.

Explaining the motive for the initiative taken by Orange Cameroon, the Buea Branch Manager, Efeti Luma said it is a tradition of Orange Foundation to come to the assistance of parents and their children during the back to school period. “This is the 5^th year we are pursuing this move. Orange Foundation has a deep thought for Cameroonian children. We see the children as the future of Cameroon, the reason why we are stepping in to give our own support for a brighter future,” she mentioned.

Orange Cameroon Regional Delegate for the Northwest & Southwest Regions, Richard Achu addressing the kids and wishing them the best from his company

Luma indicated that Orange Cameroon is out to encourage hard work, obedience and God-fearing children. “We pray they put these gifts into good use so that it will make an impact in their lives and their future,” while noting that the Orange Foundation has parents and children at heart.

Delighted with Orange Foundation, Grace Tambi Mpey, a parent from Manyu Division, Southwest Region, expressed gratitude for the enormous support to their children, while inviting the telephony company to do more as the school year unfolds. She will be corroborated by Martha Mafany from Lysoka, Buea, who was all smiles that not only her child benefited from the largesse of Orange Cameroon but nine other orphans she brought from her neighbourhood.

Clinton Mimba a class six pupil of Government Primary School – Group 1, Upper Costain, Tiko was overwhelmed with his gifts. “My mother is in the village and I don’t know my father. I live with my grandmother, so, I am grateful to Orange for helping in providing some of my school needs.”

The beneficiary pupils were drawn from nursery and primary schools in Manyu, Fako, Meme and Kupe – Muanengouba Divisions in the Southwest Region.

Efeti Luma(2nd from right) offers Orange Cameroon Back to school goodies to a pupil

Josiane Kouagheu
Douala-Cameroun

Cédric Mpouda, 15 ans, passe en classe de 3ème pour le compte de l’année scolaire 2014-2015. Les cours ont débuté depuis lundi 8 septembre 2014. Mais, le petit garçon n’est pas encore allé à l’école. Et pour cause, ses parents n’ont pas payé sa scolarité. En attendant, Cédric Mpouda se balade dans les rues du quartier Akwa à Douala. Dans des salles de classe des établissements de la capitale économique du Cameroun, de nombreux élèves n’ont pas répondu présents, 24 heures après le début effectif des cours. Au lycée de nylon Brazzaville à Douala, les parents se bousculent pour inscrire leurs enfants.

Douala: Entrée des élèves en tenue au lycée de nylon Brazzaville

«  J’ai trois enfants inscrits au lycée. Il faut payer leurs pensions une seule fois. Ce n’est pas comme dans les établissements privés où on paie la scolarité par tranches. Ici, tout se règle une fois. C’est ce qui nous freine », se plaint Pierre, un parent d’élève. Même argument chez Philippe Sippa, parent de deux enfants inscrits au lycée d’Akwa. Ce menuisier explique qu’il a dû économiser pendant trois mois pour avoir la totalité des frais de scolarité de ses enfants. Cependant, dans les écoles publiques où la scolarité est gratuite, les élèves ne se bousculent pas non plus. Des salles de classes y sont vides.

A l’école publique d’Akwa par exemple, les salles de classes de Cours moyen première et deuxième année, Cours élémentaire première et deuxième année et de Section d’initiation à la lecture comptent à peine dix élèves chacune. Le président de l’Association des parents d’élèves (Ape), Adayirou Mfopou, s’étonne de cette situation. Pour lui, les parents devraient plutôt « forcer leurs enfants » à aller dans ces écoles. « La pension est gratuite ici (école publique d’Akwa, ndlr). Les enfants ne doivent pas manquer les premiers cours de base », assure-t-il. A l’école publique de Diboum II, la majorité des salles est vide. Seuls quelques élèves flânent dans la cour.

Some aspects of traditional life in Cameroon are still a problem and an impediment to the evolution of the woman and widows in particular. This is the motive of a workshop christened; The role of the traditional authorities in reducing the negative socio-cultural practices affecting women and widows in our communities and laws that protect them from marginalisation, organised by Nkong Hill Top Association for Development, NADEV

According to Chief Daniel Kaka Esowe of Bokwai Village in Buea municipality there are issues of tradition which must be respected, however, there are possibilities for evolution

Mrs Gladys Ekwoge - questioning why a woman should suffer because her husband is dead.

with the changing trends. “Some of these cultural values are heritage from our forefathers. But the workshop is timely because we are being schooled on some issues we did not know,” he said.

Chief Kaka will add that this is the moment for sensitisation across the board, letting all the stakeholders know the good and the bad of our tradition. “What we see that is not working or good, we are bound to change them for a better society. Today, our girl children are excelling in

Workshop participants in full session on The role of the traditional authorities in reducing the negative socio-cultural practices affecting women and widows

the educational sector, in some cases better than the boys. A lot of female children are bread winners for their families and bringing in a lot of hope. This was not the case in the yesteryears,” he mentioned.

The traditional ruler of Bokwai decried the maltreatment of widows in his tradition, whereby the latter is asked to sleep on the floor for three days. He described the act as “incorrect and we must correct that.”

The Chief of Bokoko village in Buea

Cynthia Ndi of NADEV explains why women and widows must be empowered

subdivision, Chief Isaac Eko Nganje found meaning in the workshop, noting that there are new things which must be followed and make changes where we went wrong earlier. “From the lessons learnt from the workshop, we have to make life easy for women and widows,” he said.

On a discourse on “Social Construction of Gender”, workshop facilitator, Mrs Gladys Ekwoge explained that the negative sides of African traditional values and those of

Traditional rulers attend a workshop on “Social Construction of Gender” affecting women

Cameroon in particular weigh on the women. “Many Cameroonians do not see the relevance of educating the girl child. The girl child is seen as a marriage object and waste of money sending her to school, in preference of the boy child.”

Ekwoge blamed the poverty level in most part of the Cameroonian society as part of the predicament of women, saying a girl child is given out as a source of finance and survival for the family.

She found the social construction of gender to be the girl child is meant for reproduction while the male child is projected from the chauvinist perspective. “Until recently, in some parts of Cameroon, a woman was never a chief. It is not natural that only men should be chiefs. Chieftaincy is hereditary, whether you are a male or female child, all should be given a chance. Women can be leaders and those who are already in leadership positions are doing great, even those who are chiefs. Their communities are growing.”

Ekwoge disagreed with the notion that the place of women is in the kitchen and a woman is a property. “No, the Marion Couples in the urban areas have indicated that the wife cannot do everything. Men are assisting their women in the upbringing and management of the family.”

She found the discussions on a public setting as part of the solutions, saying it is sensitisation. “We are inviting the Chiefs to start making changes where need be and others will follow their examples. The case of widows is vexing. It is not a woman’s fault if her husband dies. Why should a woman suffer because of the death of her husband?” she questioned.

Registrar-In-Chief at the Buea Magistrate Court, Elizabeth Ako Enaka cited the preamble of Cameroon’s Constitution, which holds that everybody is equal before the law, “so widows, who are part of the society, cannot be left out. We cannot talk about rights and leave them out. For the society to develop there must be a synergy at all levels, we are all expected to evolve and widows cannot be sidelined in the development plan of the nation,” she noted.

She entreated all to be “our brothers and sisters keeper because we need to ensure that widows inherit what is theirs. A widow is expected to care for her family even after the demise of the husband. We should make the ground level for everybody so that there will be a peaceful society.”

Cynthia Ndi of NADEV and the Southwest Regional Delegate of Women Empowerment and the Family, Mrs Judith Moffah shared same views that women and widows can own property, adding that the traditional values of yesteryears must be done and dusted with. “That is why we have brought the Chiefs from Fako Division, members of the traditional Council and women from various groups to carry on these discussions and push forward for actions,” added Ndi.

The 3-day workshop was sponsored by All We Can of the Methodist Relief Development.

*UB Journalism Student on Internship

Mrs Judith Moffah, Southwest Regional Delegate of Women Empowerment & the Family - women & widows must own property

The information, communication and technology world is really on the superhighway. The media men and women in Cameroon cannot be left out in the new media that is evolving every day. This is the background of a two-day workshop on “The Use of ICT Tools in Journalism” that took place recently in the seaside resort city of Limbe, Southwest Region of Cameroon. Organised by the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists, CAMASEJ and the US Embassy in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the more than twenty media men

Prof. Takahashi (R) trains journalists in Limbe on how to use ICT tools in journalism

and women practicing their trade in the Southwest Region learnt many new ideas. These include; digital story-telling, multi-media story planning, best practices from digital media companies and evolution of digital media. At the close of the workshop, the facilitator; digital media specialist, Prof. Corey Takahashi, who is also a journalist, multimedia producer and certified YouTube trainer shared some views with Icameroon.com in this exclusive interview.

iCameroon.com Walter Wilson Nana(L) talking to Prof. Corey Takahashi in Limbe

Excerpts:

On a tour of Cameroon, which has taken you to Douala, Limbe and Yaounde, what have you been telling Cameroonian journalists about new media?

Everybody is experimenting around the world. You may be doing something serious in Cameroon but we have not done it in the USA because this is not a fixed form of media that is not changing. This is

Journalists at a two-day workshop on “The Use of ICT Tools in Journalism” that took place recently in the seaside resort city of Limbe, Southwest Region of Cameroon.

a form of media that is evolving every day.

Why should journalists be interested in the digital media?

The digital media is so accessible. Before, you had the printing press to put out your message, the broadcast TV station, with the digital media, you can go on the internet café and become a publisher.

Specifically, what are the new media you are talking about?

The new media is another term for the digital media that also performs like the traditional media; newspaper, radio and TV. My definition of the new media is the web based media, internet based media. This is media that you can see over the internet.

Can we put our finger on this new media on the internet?

Yes, if you are dealing with anything you can consume on the internet, it is by nature the new media. The internet is the new channel. The internet is what is new after newspaper, radio and TV. However, what we have concluded after the workshop is that the new media embraces the traditional media. The internet accommodates the radio, the newspaper and television.

There is YouTube, twitter, face book and more.  What help are they giving to journalism?

They are giving free publishing to individuals and reporters, especially in the US context. Reporters, who work for large media organisation in the USA, still use twitters to promote their stories and reach out to their readers, listeners and viewers. It is amazing that reporters work for big media houses, yet they are seeking help from twitter, face book, YouTube to push forward their stories.

Internet facilities in the African continent and Cameroon in particular are slow. How helpful will the new media be for us?

That is a huge challenge. I see that changing. Think about cars over the years. The earliest car, Maloti was not a fast car. As time went on, technology evolved and the Gashiper and Chrysler have won a larger share of the public. Look at the mobile phones, some twenty years ago, they were only for the rich and the extremely wealthy people. Overtime, look at how the smart phones and feature phones have taken over the global market. Before, you will not think of affording them.

Any advice to Cameroonian journalists?

The internet speed is a big infrastructural issue. It will involve investment and a decision the average Cameroonian cannot influence directly. May be some votes will have to take care of this. Cameroonian journalists should just go on with the capacity they have now. When it will become fast, they will push on. It is coming very soon. Not too far from the future.

Thank you Prof Takahashi!

Thank you too very much.

Interviewed by Walter Wilson Nana

(AFRICANEWSWIRE.NET) MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, USA, August, 2014  –  Christians and pastors in Nigeria interested in pursuing seminary Education at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral level now have the opportunity to complete all of their courses online and free of charge with a full scholarship at North Central Theological Seminary, an accredited online religious vocational institution of higher learning based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Candidates interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree program must have a high school diploma or equivalent. To pursue the Master’s program, they must have a bachelor’s degree in any vocation, and for admission into the doctorate program, a master’s degree in any vocation. Nigerians, Ghanaians, and Cameroonians are especially welcome to apply.

Full Scholarships for the Accelerated Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral Degree Programs to West Africans

According to Dr. Phil Jay, North Central Theological Seminary’s director of graduate and undergraduate studies, “The current societal moral decay, declining church attendance, and Islamic extremism are all indicative of the urgent need to train new pastors, evangelists, and religious educators in Nigeria who will fearlessly and impartially preach the gospel of Jesus Christ nationally and internationally. As a result of today’s economic hardships, many

people interested in winning souls for Christ do not have the funds to attend seminary and earn the credentials required to make an impact. This is why North Central Theological Seminary is making these full scholarships available through private funding to potential men and women of God.”

It is the firm policy of North Central Theological Seminary that its students invest in themselves and in taking their life pursuits seriously. To this end, and to enable all students to participate in self-improving full use of our electronic library and academic resources, we still require full scholarship students to pay between $14.99 – $49.99 Student Activity fee each month until they graduate, withdraw, or transfer from the seminary.

The scholarships from this program are not available to currently enrolled students. We will be awarding them until the funds are used in accordance with donor base stipulation. Pastors and Christians interested in taking advantage of this opportunity should submit a non-obligatory enrollment application immediately because only the first fifty qualified enrollments will be accepted. Candidates are to submit a non obligatory enrollment  application by clicking on the “Degree” tab at www.nctsmn.org using scholarship referral # PRCNW2014

The accelerated completion schedule is 24 to 30 months for the Bachelor’s degree program, 11 to 18 months for the Master’s, and 14 to 18 months for the doctorate.

CONTACT:
Dr. Phil Jay
North Central Theological Seminary
4111 Central Ave
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55421
Tel: 651-263-1128

###
This is a press release. News distribution  services  by Africanewswire.net: http://www.africanewswire.net/login.php?return=/submit_press.php.

The Member of Parliament, MP, for Buea Urban Constituency, Hon. Arthur Ekeke Lisinge has made his maiden outing since he got the parliamentary seat in the 2013 elections. This outing, at the premises of Cameroon OIC, Buea, Tuesday, August 13 2014, gave the MP the opportunity to declare that he will focus his parliamentary grants on basic education.

According to Hon. Lisinge it is critical to develop the child for a better adult. “This is a sector that cannot be neglected. We have to contribute to the education of our children and

Hon. Arthur Ekeke Lisinge explains why his parliamentary mandate and grants will be geared towards basic education

lay the foundation for the future of our country. Educating the child is not giving him/her fish but teaching them how to fish and fend for themselves for the future,” he said.

The MP for Buea Urban indicated that he has started a long journey with the Basic Education sector of Buea subdivision, noting that it will be a yearly affair and the schools that have not received benches and didactic materials for the 2014/2015 academic year will have theirs, subsequently as his five-year

Stationery for schools: A look of the didactic materials to facilitate teaching for the 2014-2015 academic year

mandate unfolds.

He invited the head teachers of nursery and primary schools in Buea subdivision to move along with him, saying that they should also make a list of their problems so that he can forward them for possible solutions at the corridors of power in Yaoundé.

Though basic education is his focus, Hon. Lisinge mentioned that he will also give assistance in the social and medical sectors, hinting on refurbishing some of

Benches destined for some nursery and primary schools in Buea Urban Constituency.

the health facilities in his constituency; making available beds, providing electricity and other social amenities.

On his political agenda for Buea Urban, the MP for the CPDM party said he has benefitted from the votes of a heterogeneous community to get to the parliament so, all the voices must be heard. “The Buea Urban Constituency is a complicated one, with all shades of opinion. This is a very educated community. Representing them in the

Mrs Magdalene Limunga Lysinge, Inspector of Basic Education, Buea at the ceremony

parliament is a big challenge. With the contributions of all the stakeholders, I will be able to adequately carry their aspirations in the course of my mandate.”

On behalf of the 45 beneficiary nursery and primary schools in the Buea Urban Constituency, Mrs Clara Nduma, head teacher of Government Primary School, Group II, Great Soppo, did not only promise to make good use of the materials donated for the 2014/2015 academic year, she thanked the MP for giving a

Hon Lisinge(R) symbolically hands a bench to the Fako Divisional Delegate of Basic Education

deep thought to the betterment of the basic education sector and the development of the Cameroonian youth.

Nduma expressed happiness for the gesture, adding that it is timely as government support to their schools is either small or some time comes in very late.

Inspector of Basic Education, Buea Subdivision, Mrs Magdalene Lysinge Limunga will describe Hon. Lisinge as a visionary politician, noting that his support to the basic education family is the promotion of quality education, teachers effectiveness in class and developing the minds of the younger generation.

She will be corroborated by the Divisional Officer of Buea, Paul Wokam Kouam, who said the MP’s move is a source of happiness to the people in his area of jurisdiction.

Kouam will mention that education remains the backbone of every country’s development, while inviting parents, staff of schools and members of the community to take their responsibilities in the education of the child.

He told the head teachers to secure the benches and didactic materials provided them and the entire structures of their respective institutions.

Hon. Lisinge was accompanied in this outing by fellow MP from Tiko Constituency, who is also a member of the CPDM party, Hon. Fritz Etoke.

* Student On Internship from National Polytechnic, Bambui

The Catholic University Institute of Buea, CUIB, is out to train a new generation of young, dynamic, talented and problem-solving entrepreneurs with moral and spiritual values that will transform and bring sustainable development to their communities. This is the background in which CUIB’s authorities drew inspiration to open their doors to members of the community, who are stakeholders to the university’s everyday business.

Christened The Stakeholders Meeting, the Director of CUIB’s Centre for Entrepreneurship, Research and Innovation, CERI, Thaddeus Eyong said they are out to make the university part of the community, while sharing their short and long term plans

President of CUIB, Rev.Fr George Nkeze - We must foster the good of our children and the community

with them. He will indicate that the stakeholders of CUIB are the students, staff and parents, who are the internal stakeholders, while the education providers, the government, the private sector and civil society make up the external stakeholders.

According to Eyong, their intention is to make their students and graduates change agents across the world by providing them professional and hands-on education. He mentioned the three arms

Thaddeus Eyong, Director of CERI at CUIB, explains the motive of the stakeholders' meeting

of CUIB, which are; Academic, which takes care of the business and professional aspects of the students, the Pastoral, which handles the spiritual aspect of the students and staff and the CERI, which is the practical, industrial, entrepreneurial and commercial component of CUIB.

On CUIB’s Points of Pride, Director of Admissions, Joyvice Chofor said after four years of existence, CUIB is now a member of the International Association of Catholic Universities and Colleges, ACCU. He

Traditional authorities of Buea at the stakeholders' meeting in CUIB

mentioned that CUIB has been rated amongst the best twenty private universities in Cameroon according to the Ministry of Higher Education, adding that 80% of their students are in an entrepreneurial base group.

CUIB’s President, Rev.Fr George Jingwa Nkeze noted that they are out to serve the community and train students that will make the difference across Cameroon and beyond. “We need a new paradigm shift in our education. We have to foster

Some stakeholders of Catholic University Institute of Buea at a meeting

the good of our children, their values, our communities and the nation,” he added.

Fr. Nkeze revealed a scholarship scheme as part of CUIB’s community responsibility. “CUIB has engaged to provide 12 scholarships to underprivileged children in the following villages in Buea municipality; Wokaka, Upper Muea, Lower Muea, Wokoko, Great Soppo, Small Soppo, Woteke, Wovila Sasse, Bonjongo and Buea,” he said. He explained that the scholarship will take into consideration gender issues and be in any of CUIB’s HND disciplines; Level I and II, covering tuition of FCFA 380,000 while parents will take care of lodging and feeding.

The CUIB President said their students are groomed to be competitive across the world, via the GRE Programme, noting that Cameroon’s emergence must be put into reality by creating programmes and structures that will lead to professionalism. He announced the upcoming and maiden commencement ceremony of CUIB, slated for December 6, 2014 at the CUIB campus in Buea.

Other stakeholders at the meeting, including Southwest Regional Delegate of Research and Innovation, Anne Sama, took a commitment to follow CUIB’s vision, while indicating their respective support and proposals on how to push forward Cameroon’s higher education and the development of the Cameroonian youth.

* UB Journalism Student On Internship