In this photograph taken recently in Galim, a group of beaming children clutch school kits uniforms, pencils, books, and bags donated by Strategic Humanitarian Services (SHUMAS) and their UK-based partner, Building Schools for Africa. Among them is Acha Goddy, a young boy whose smile belies the hardship he and his family have endured since fleeing the armed conflict in Cameroon’s North West Region.
Acha’s story is just one of many that highlight the human cost of the ongoing armed conflict in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon, now in its eighth year. Born and raised in Mile 8 Mankon, Bamenda, Acha’s world turned upside down when gunfire erupted in his community.
“People came and started shooting, so we decided to run and went to the bush. My mother took a bike and brought us here to Galim. Since then, we have been moving from place to place, looking for where to sleep and food.”
Like many other displaced children now in Galim, a neighbouring locality in the Bamboutous Division, Acha was forced to drop out of school. The community has become a refuge for internally displaced persons (IDPs), especially families from the North West who have lost everything in the violence. Education, shelter, food, water, and even basic sanitation became luxuries they could no longer afford.
“I was facing difficulties with house rent, a mattress for the children to sleep on, water, and food. Feeding the children was a daily challenge, and I could not afford to send them to school. But now SHUMAS has paid the school fees and given them all the supplies they need. I am so grateful I lack the words to thank them.” a parent of one of the beneficiaries shared
Thanks to SHUMAS and Building Schools for Africa, Acha and 66 other children; 28 boys and 39 girls are back in school. Over the past three months, the children attended classes in SHUMAS-established neighbourhood learning corners. There, they were taught using the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach, enabling them to recover lost academic ground and rediscover their love for learning.
In addition to school fees and educational kits, SHUMAS also supported vulnerable families with non-food items (NFIs), water and sanitation (WASH) materials, and shelter supplies. As a sustainable solution, three classrooms are being constructed at EP Bagam to accommodate some of these children as they transition into formal education.
“Now my child can read, write, and even be active through sports. SHUMAS has done a lot things I cannot even count. I only pray that God blesses them and helps them to continue their good work. There are still many children out there who need this opportunity.” the beneficiary added
Speaking directly to SHUMAS and their UK partner, she pleads, “Please create more centres so that children who have never even seen a classroom can finally get a chance at education.”
During the handover event, which was attended by local authorities including officials from the office of the Divisional Officer’s, the Inspector of Basic Education, the Mayor, and other community leaders, there was a call for the beneficiaries to make maximum use of the donations from SHUMAS and Building Schools for Africa.
“I feel happy, very happy. Thank you SHUMAS. Thank you Building Schools for Africa. May God bless you.” says Acha, tightly holding the new items he received and new school bag.
As SHUMAS and partners continues its work to rebuild lives through education, children like Acha are once again dreaming of a future beyond fear, one where school bells replace gunfire, and notebooks replace memories of war.
By Bakah Derick
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