tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68471094623351858842024-02-20T18:38:06.160-08:00Cameroon Link NewsCamlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.comBlogger244125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-30949538595710646952021-10-30T06:45:00.000-07:002021-10-30T06:45:56.290-07:00Cameroon Link participates in New Bell District COORDINATION MEETING OF OCTOBER 2021<b>Eliszabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, EGPAF, sponsored the New Bell District Coordination Meeting of 12th October 2021 at Design Hotel in Bali-Douala presided over by the representative of the regional delegate for public health in the Littoral.
Mrs. BAYICKE Chimene made a presentation of the objective of the meeting and designated minute s secretaries. She told participants that it was an opportunity to make an evaluation of progress in the prevention of the spread of HIV in the past three months, exchange on the challenges and make proposals on the best strategies to fill the gaps created by obstacles. She focused her attention on the coordination of activities in the health district during the month of September 2021.
The officer in charge of monitoring and evaluation presented data collected for the 4th cluster and the results expected. The data was discussed and validated after a question and answer session. There was followed by the moderation of presentations of the different project sites, trigulation of data from the sites and validation.
Dr. Sih made a presentation on the situation of HIV therapeutic drugs , the stock and challenges during delivery in each site site. It was noted that some sites like Baptist Hospital Mboppi with over 5.000 PLHIV do not receive enough stock to satisfy patients and most patients receive their ART monthly and not quarterly or bi-annually as recommended by the protocols.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OD8IePIuGV-4krRW6BEVrUTS3Td0OeJApFhX66QSWGkKKfUNrE-J4uTCiuSnm9m3GSbzJgK2gkkXj67Y5gKlWrlMrGcHQbQbKt8wB2L2d0HBn9Ev7TGdrEEGF7FMNIemO02Mrurh8vQe/s1008/Nw+Bell+Coordination+meeting.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1008" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OD8IePIuGV-4krRW6BEVrUTS3Td0OeJApFhX66QSWGkKKfUNrE-J4uTCiuSnm9m3GSbzJgK2gkkXj67Y5gKlWrlMrGcHQbQbKt8wB2L2d0HBn9Ev7TGdrEEGF7FMNIemO02Mrurh8vQe/s320/Nw+Bell+Coordination+meeting.jpg"/></a></div>
The leader of the TB Unit made a presentation of activities in her sector and it was noted that some patients receive treatment but it is not documented. The coordinators of the different sites were advised to update their data for presentation of the real situation in each site. Some patients change their residential areas and telephone numbers and are lost during tracking especially when they move from one region to another. It was advised that tracking should be done and coordinators of TB in the new sites of the patients informed for better follow up. Mrs. Abomo presented the best strategies for tracking TB patients to guarantee that treatment protocols are respected to avoid transmission to other persons. At New Bell Prison, patients are sent home after completing their prison terms without notification of the health official there. This was given as the reason for incomplete data. If the health centre in New Bell Prison was notified, follow up would have been easier as the staff in the new location of the patients would have been notified to continue follow up.
Coordinators of Community based organizations, CBOs, were given the opportunity to make presentations on the activities in their different sites with challenges and suggestions for amelioration of performance. Mr. Mekal of the GTR/AIDS in the littoral presented a review of activities of CBOs during the month of September 2021 in New Bell District. Challenges in relation with the different communities were presented and solutions proposed to improve for better results.
The meeting ended with an elaboration of a plan of action for follow up of recommendations. Facilitators were Dr. Mossi, Dr. Sih, Dr. Etoa Mebara, Dr. Bayicke Chimene, Mr. Mekal, Dr. Nyemb Grace of EGPAF and Arnold Ndille of EGPAF, Mme Audrey Sah of GTR. Participants were coordinators of CBOs and UPEC Majors from the lead sites in New Bell, Mboppi, Ad Lucem, CMA Congo, Nkololoun and New Bell Prison.
The CBOs were APSUPES, KAMITIK, New Way, FESPAC, and Cameroon Link. There were also representatives of the community, COSADI, COSA, representative of pharmacies and the associate of monitoring and evaluation from New Bell. Cameroon Link was given the opportunity to present the way forward since the signing of protocol agreement with GTR/AIDS for Littoral.
To get a clear picture of how prepared Cameroon Link is, we have below traced activities and evaluation sessions organized at the level of the CBO and UPEC since the 10-page protocol document between GTR/Littoral and Cameroon Link was endorsed on the 4th June 2021 and deposited at Hopital General Douala and Baptist Hospital (CBC) Mboppi.
Reports of the meetings and working sessions at Baptist Hospital and New Bell District level were shared with staff for updates. The focal point of CBOs, has coached staff of Cameroon Link on the filling of the DAILY APPOINTMENT REGISTER FOR PLHIV on ARV and the HIV Anti-retroviral dispensation register.
Since the 14th July, 2021 the CBOs’ Focal Point for Baptist Hospital (CBC) Mboppi, the UPEC Coordinator and EGPAF Project representative, have trained and informed Cameroon Link staff on the management of Cohorts through the registers and sharing of data.
Cameroon Link Participates in training on differential models for dispensation
The Chief of District of Cite de Palmiers –Douala presided over a training on the diferent models of dispensation of ARV at Bano Palace Hotel on Monday, 25th October 2021 and this brought together team leaders from the health facilities, health technicians, Carers of PLHIV, nurses and persons from community based organisations involved in community dispensation of ARV to PLHIV.
The Focal Point of the activity in Cite des Palmiers, Dr. Fon, animated the training session. In the opening address of the Chief of Cite des Palmiers, he said it was an opportunity to share information on the strategies for an efficient delivery of ARV to PLHIV, collecting information o th challeneges and sharing possible solutions for amelioration of services and closing gaps for better results.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzZegugSzXv8BbV3T-Pi0yZ2RZAcLSZHh_ImeFMD4vifcWL7VGq4kNpHP38IP3xPpy8UZM5fbwR0ZWcPB8pi4LqNbfK-pED5gqqBC6ltag1BnjUh2MSQlAgLFC8h2tMc7-D5KpmUTHjtg/s1080/Pa+James+-+Coordo+CAMLINK.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzZegugSzXv8BbV3T-Pi0yZ2RZAcLSZHh_ImeFMD4vifcWL7VGq4kNpHP38IP3xPpy8UZM5fbwR0ZWcPB8pi4LqNbfK-pED5gqqBC6ltag1BnjUh2MSQlAgLFC8h2tMc7-D5KpmUTHjtg/s320/Pa+James+-+Coordo+CAMLINK.jpg"/></a></div>
Dr. Fon introduced two exposes on the different models for dispensing ARV and a review of the document on registering deaths caused by HIV and transferred PLHIV from one site to another and documentation of anonymous ICT cases. Comments and remarks were made on contributions made by activities related to Family Planning, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission, district services and PEPFAR before a review of recommendations and key points.
This report takes a look at the 10 different models for dispensing ARV and those involved in the execution of each model and how to go about it. The different models for dispensing ARV is an approach which aims at simplifying and adpting services relatd to HIV taking into account the different services awaited by the different groups o PLHIV. This approach also aims at reducing unnecessary cost attributed to the health system. This centers resources of the health facility on persons who need them most.
This directive explains the the procedure for documenting the differential models of services (DSD) of dispensation of ARV to patients. It equally defines the different models and codes corresponding to each of them. This directive is for explotation by all staff of CTA and UPEC. It is used in all health facilities (FOSA), UPEC, CTA in the regions of the south and the Littoral.
The primary tool of different models for dispensing ARV is the dispensation register of ARV , considering the fact that there are no variable permitting it possible to record the different models in the register. The column for commnts will be used for this purpose. In addition, the dispensation form of the the support groups, ARV registers of CBOs can also serve as source of documentation of thedifferent models of dispensation.
Differential models of ARV dispensation (DSD)
Individual models based in health facilities (FOSA)
DSD1 – Accelerated service (Fast Tracking Services)
Definition: Anold patient on ARV without any complaints is received directly at the pharmacy without passing through the medical consultation or para-medical
Dispensators: Pharmacists, pharmacy assistant or ACCR
Comment to be documented: At the time of dispensation, the consultant registers the the DSD1 Code in the column dedicated for recording the differential model of the patient served.
DSD2 - Dis pensation on escort (Rapid Pick Up)
Definition:The patient is escorted by a staff of the health facility (FOSA).
Dispensator: Pharmacists, pharmacy assistant or ACCR
Procedure of dispensation: See definition
Comment to be documented: At the time of dispensation, the consultant registers the the DSD2 Code in the for recording the differential model of the patient column dedicated served.
DSD3 – Service Convivial (Friendly Services)
Definiion: PLHIV receive ARV in a space specially arranged and this a a child friendly corner, adolescent friendly corner, male partner, VIP. And others.
Dispensator: Medical Officer/Coordo,Major, ACCR
Procedure of dispensation: The dossir of the PLHIV is used as the liaison for dispensation and update in the register for dispensation. The dispensator collects the drugs of the patient and proceed to dispensation proper.
Comment to be documented: At the time of dispensation, the consultant registers the the DSD3 Code in the column dedicated for recording the differential model of the patient served.
DSD4 – Horaire Flexible (Flexible hours and Odd hours)
Definition: The PLHIV is dispensed in the health facility (FOSA) out of normal classical working hours of service and during week ends and public holidays.
of dispensation Dispensator: APS, Medical Officer/Coordo, Nirses, ACCR
Procedure: ARV are dispensed to the PLHIV out of official working hours and the medical consultation document of the patient is used for updating the register of dispensation.
Comment to be documented: At the time of dispensation, the consultant registers the the DSD4 Code in the column dedicated for recording the differential model of the patient served.
Model of the group based at the health facility (FOSA)
DSD5 – Support group within the health facility (Facility Support Group)
Definition: These are PLHIV dispensed within the health facility support group.
Dispensator: APS, Medical Officer/Coordo, Nirses, Pair Educators
Procedure: ARV are dispensed to the PLHIV during meetings of the support group and the dossier of the patient used for updating the register of dispensation
Comment to be documented: At the time of dispensation, the consultant registers the the DSD5 Code in the column dedicated for recording the differential model of the patient served.
DSD6 – Dispensation Familiale (Family Dispensation)
Definition: The ARV of the patient is collected from the health facility (FOSA) by a a parent of PLHIV.
Dispensator: Pharmacists, pharmacy assistant or ACRR
Procedure of dispensation: See definition
Comment to be documented: At the time of dispensation, the consultant registers the the DSD6 Code in the for recording the differential model of the patient column dedicated served
DSD7 – Pair Support Group ( Community led ART Delivery)
Definition: The ARV of the patient is are dispensed by a member of a community group of the patient of which he is a member. Amd is served from a health facility (FOSA).collected from the health facility (FOSA) by a a parent of PLHIV.
Dispensator: Le pair ( Peer)
Procedure of dispensation: The Peer collects the ARV from the health facility (FOSA) and fills the update before collecting the drugs by the patient.
Comment to be documented: At the time of dispensation, the consultant registers the the DSD7 Code in the for recording the differential model of the patient column dedicated served. The form signed by the patient is returned to the health facility for documentation.
DSD8 – Dispensation a domicile (Home Delivery)
Definition: The patient is dispensed at home by a staff of a health facility ( Nurse or APS)
Dispensator: APS, ACRR, Medical Officer and Nurse
Procedure of dispensation: A form for dispensation/distribution is filled by the dispensator during collection of the drugs at the pharmay. The PLHIV signs on the form to confirm reception of the product and the form is used for update of the dossier of the patient served and in the register of dispensation.
Comment to be documented: At the time of dispensation, the staff registers the DSD8 Code in the dispensation register of differential model of the patient column dedicated as served. The form signed by the patient is returned to the health facility for documentation
Model of the group based in the community
DSD9 – Support Group (CBO Support Group)
Definition: The patient is dispensed within the frame work of support group in the community .
Dispensator: Responsibility of CBO
Procedure of dispensation: A form for dispensation/distribution is filled by the responsible staff of the pharmacy during collection of the drugs at the community pharmacy. The PLHIV signs on the form to confirm reception of the product and the form is used for update of the dossier of the patient served in the register of dispensation.
Comment to be documented: At the time of dispensation, the staff of the health facility (FOSA) registers the DSD9 Code in the dispensation register of differential model of the patient column dedicated as served. The form signed by the patient is returned to the health facility for documentation.
DSD10 – Dispensation Familiale en Communaute (Family Clinic Community)
Definition: Thedrugs of the the patient dispensed is collected at the office of the CBO/OBC, by a PLHIV or a family member of the PLHIV.
Dispensator: OBC
Procedure of dispensation: A form for dispensation/distribution is filled by the responsible staff of the pharmacy during collection of the drugs at the community pharmacy. The PLHIV signs on the form to confirm reception of the product and the form is used for update of the dossier of the patient served in the register of dispensation.
Comment to be documented: At the time of dispensation, the staff of the health facility (FOSA) registers the DSD10 Code in the dispensation register of differential model of the patient column dedicated as served. The form signed by the patient is returned to the health facility for documentation.
List of PLHIV for Community Dispensation of ARV – HOPITAL GENERAL/Cameroon Link
No Serial Code Name Start Date Contact Residence Tel. No Age
20 – 24 years Age
20 -49 years Age
50 years
M F M F M F
1 LT01/01/21/001 Ekongolo Jean M. 08.10.08 G. Souza 653567844 x
2 LT01/01/21/002 Tchamamba Chris 01.09.08 Meleke 697709846 x
3 LT01/01/21/003 Bo0kop Dorine 04.08.09 Miang 67545110 x
4 LT01/01/21/004 Kouague Dorice 01.11.09 Mundani 691929237 x
5 LT01/01/21/005 Kenemben Nathali 15.06.10 Miang 695397746 x
6 LT01/01/21/006 Essoh Fridolin 12.07.10 Souza 674162430 x
7 LT01/01/21/007 Ndongue Bebey 10.06.10 Mangamba 695147378 x
8 LT01/01/21/008 Guekam Auriele 11.02.09 Miang 699213812 x
9 LT01/01/21/009 Kedi Rose 06.09.11 Miang 697966972 x
10 LT01/01/21/010 She Julienne 06.07.11 Bessounkang 694532230 x
11 LT01/01/21/011 Wangue Emile 02.08.10 Bwapaki 679475950 x
12 LT12/16/2160 Heen Fonyuy Anna 20.8.09 Rail Sodiko 677101300 x
13 LT01/01/21/013 Eke Ndong E. 12.04.10 Mangamba 694791550 x
14 LT01/01/21/014 Ngasse Christine 08.05.13 Mangamba 694779215 x
15 LT01/01/21/015 Mbah Christabell 10.09.11 Souza 676188126 x
16 LT01/01/21/016 Menekeng Isabele 11.01.12 Mandouka 670215551 x
17 LT01/01/21/017 Mouako Ewane 19.12.11 Souza 696444053 x
18 LT01/01/21/018 Njikiale Victor 08.05.12 Mbonjo 693596004 x
19 LT01/01/21/019 Abomo Yvette 12.07.13 Qtier Hausa 696152040 x
20 LT01/01/21/020 Elisabeth Njoh 20.03.10 G.Souza 691425868 x
2 14/ 2 2
Observations
All decisions should be analyzed and adapted to the problem of each PLHIV before execution. This means that patients should be at the center of the pre-occupation of CBOs. It should be noted that Hopital General is a CTA and Baptist Hospital Mboppi is an UPEC. This defines and determines the level and intensity of health practice delivery.
A register has to be bought for recprding activities of support groups and home visits. The staff of the CTA and UPEC are requested to support the CBOs during the execution of their activities in the community. DSD accelerated services are carried out by the APS ( Companions of HIV Patients). They are 10 DSD groups concerned with dispensation of ARV as explained above specific spaced in the CTA, UPEC and community.
PLHIV should be encouraged to give the names of their partners during the execution of anomymous ICT activities. This can be done by asking them to put the names in a box where ARV are dispensed, because most patients would not like to speak about their partner or partners. Advise them to put the telephone numbers which could be used in contacting them. This technique has been tested and results were positive.
PLHIV should be questioned every month on their situation as the ARV are taken and especially if there are any side effects or opportunistic cases. This helps to reduce any resistance of HIV.
Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-11001886450065526072021-10-30T06:30:00.001-07:002021-10-30T06:30:47.021-07:00Cameroon Link engages in Community Dispensation of ARV for PLHIV
Monthly Report of October <b>2021 </b><b></b>The <b>Themonth started with the first weekly evaluation and review meeting. The UPEC Coordinator, Dr. Serge Djombissie welcomed the participants after prayers. Each focal point presented a report on the work realized. In the reports, issues related to the daily appointment register for PLHIV on ART were handled. These included the data of viral load collection (VL), ART Code, initials of first and last name of patients, sex, age, contact telephone numbers address of residential area of patients and general observations.
The general observations indicate the actual situation of patient, which include transfer of patients, search of PLHIV who have not shown up for more than three months and follow up initiatives to get their where about or whether they are dead. On the appointment register is put the date of the next appointment and month the patient has to show up at the health facility (FOSA) for a check up.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLiqgjewJNkIb2-Q8vutFWvhAa0PZlpZFEgmZWN7LX5jhU83lEACdv79EWY2ieBAwIqzrwMMikijJnHbI0r9ZECVX6632_bILPQf70XXzeMIsg5RyC-vJdwXDd7OKeVNxfYjwURm5z6dV0/s1080/Pa+James+-+Coordo+CAMLINK.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLiqgjewJNkIb2-Q8vutFWvhAa0PZlpZFEgmZWN7LX5jhU83lEACdv79EWY2ieBAwIqzrwMMikijJnHbI0r9ZECVX6632_bILPQf70XXzeMIsg5RyC-vJdwXDd7OKeVNxfYjwURm5z6dV0/s320/Pa+James+-+Coordo+CAMLINK.jpg"/></a></div>
The officials insisted on punctuality for meetings and dispatching of reports. Focal points are requested to get their reports ready ahead of the meeting day to share knowledge on the global situation for appreciation. There are focal points that arrive at meetings without completed reports.
It was suggested that focal points should be coached on making presentations during meetings to familiarize them on the technique of reporting. Since the hospital operates with two languages, English and French, both will be used for expression where necessary.
Each focal point in the presentation gives the number of patients expected during the week and month with the number of persons who showed up and number of absentees. A percentage of the result is given as out-come. The number of persons screened and initiated on ART is also presented.
Baptist Hospital of Mboppi has 23 Cohorts currently caring for over 5.000 PLHIV. These include different age groups starting from babies, persons above 10 years and persons above 40 years. Men and women married and not married.
The hospital is caring for over 5.000 PLHIV has the problem of insufficiency of ART for multi-months dispensation. The quantity received is not enough and the hospital has adoptd monthly dispensation instead of quarterly semester deliveries.
At Baptist Hospital Mboppi, members of Cameroon Link were attached to the pharmacy to learn about the circuit for dispensation of ART and the different types of ART available. James Achanyi Fontem continues coaching at the consultation level to get insights on the different approaches and difficulties for receiving and interviewing patients during checkups with the UPEC. It was noted that each patient has a particular attitude and the approach and collection of information is diverse.
There are patients that do not respect their appointment dates and the reasons are collected like illness and travel or busy occupations periods. The number of tablets he/she has is asked and this facilittes in taking the decision on the number of tablets to be served the patients. Some patients’ complained of side effects of the ART they received like itching and rashes on the skin. They are asked when the itching started and the type of water they bath with. Most of those who complained of itches use water from the wells. This means the wells need some purification with a few drops of camel water regularly.
Due to the nature of daily occupations of some patients, a request is proposed for change of the time to take the ART. Some prefer in the morning and others in the evening. The patients are advised to respect the time for taking their ART. They are informed that the most recent generic of ART is programmed for early in the morning and preferably at 07H00 because it keeps the patient awake throughout the day. IF TAKEN IN THE EVENING, IT RETARDS SLEEP. Other types of tablets make the patient to be dizzy and it is advised to take them in the evening instead of the morning.
All pregnant mothers who arrive to start pre-natal consultation are screened automatically. This facilitates decision making on the therapeutic ART FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE MOTHER AND FEATUS. Special files are opened for pregnant mothers and newly delivered babies. It should be recalled that the Baptist Hospital in Mboppi receives over 5.000 patients on ART and data is updated during weekly meetings on Tuesday afternoon coordinated by the UPEC boss, Dr. Serge. During the meetings, focal points present data collected and report on attendance or respect of appointments by patients and difficulties encountered.
There are cases of patients who want to be served multiple months ART because they have left Douala for their villages in other regions. Asked whether they needed a transfer to their new residences or locations, they refuse and prefer to be served from CBC Hospital Mboppi. Asked whether they have any persons who could collect their ART and send to them where they are now residing, they hesitate giving any names. The ART given now to patients covers only a period of one month and patients have to go to the health facility every month to be served. Some patients are married but both do not live in the same town or home. This is a problem.
For patients on ARV, it is important to understand that the treatment is for life and there should be no break. A break gives the virus opportunity to become resistant. If a patient cannot go to the health facility to collect his/her ARV, a relative or friend should be sent to do so. Patients should avoid having bruises or openings on the skin. It creates opportunities for infections. Often the part of the body infected swells as a sign and this must be treated immediately. The patients should be able to say if he/she is having any side effects during treatment. These are often issues that need to be handled and addressed quickly.
Child care is very important for mothers that are breastfeeding. Babies that breastfeed are always very alert and interested in what happens around them. They act sometimes like adults in search of things they can carry along with them. It may be your phone, your keys or anything attractive. Babies suck the breast anywhere and it should be known that it is the right of the baby. The breast of a woman is for producing the baby’s milk. Baptist Hospital in Mboppi promotes exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after the birth of a baby and follows up the mother with a rapid test to guarantee that it is safe.
As concerns the time for taking the ARV either in the morning or in the evening, an alarm clock is necessary because it awakens the patient and reminds him/her of the time to take the ART.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JAYTH2-XTGoOoTiuXAtsOeP_-24myV6l86m0qubcjHEWLo7pq_32zGWm_eTirGmZhMshZg1wv_JsFtEeqy1dQzcsHorhGLJKo8BAXiuORyKjlgyulYMzct1xf_Ut-trmri2FNzQEk3mu/s320/M+%2526+E+Focal+Point.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JAYTH2-XTGoOoTiuXAtsOeP_-24myV6l86m0qubcjHEWLo7pq_32zGWm_eTirGmZhMshZg1wv_JsFtEeqy1dQzcsHorhGLJKo8BAXiuORyKjlgyulYMzct1xf_Ut-trmri2FNzQEk3mu/s320/M+%2526+E+Focal+Point.jpg"/></a></div>
The report of validation for the month of August and September 2021 was presented to highlight the information needed by UPEC and GTR-Sida/ Littoral. This report covered the number of new cases diagnosed and the number of patients served with ARV. The objective of community dispensation is to reduce long waits of patients when they arrive the health facility (FOSA) and to reduce distances from their residences and spending on transport fares to collect their drugs.
The UPEC Coordinator emphasized on the need to remind patients on the appointments for collection of their ARV two days to the stipulated date. Patients who fail to show up for appointments for three months are directed to the health facility (FOSA) for retesting or screening after counseling.
New Horizon, the project to monitor cases of children infected has been launched. The pilot phase is currently taking place in Yaoundé and Douala. It is after the pilot phase that activities will be spread throughout the republic. The virus and its development in the body is explained by actors involved in prevention. The virus spreads very fast where the patient is faced with other problems related to itching, rashes, fever, tuberculosis, malnutrition, diarrhea just to name a few. When the virus penetrates the body, it hides in blood cells and reduces CD4 known as soldiers. Illnesses related to skin diseases show up as signs.
One-third of children infected die because their cells are weak. Children with HIV I die before the age of 5 years, while those infected by HIV II die before the age of 10 years. The number of CD4 varies with age and synthoms. At the third level, the symptoms’ of tuberculosis and diarrhea show up. When a patient arrives the health facility (FOSA) with an opportunistic problem, the viral charge load (CV) test is done before any prescription.
It was noted that Index Testing at Baptist Hospital Mboppi has been very low and it is below 5%. The coordinator said this sector of HIV prevention activity has been dormant and needs to be activated. He encouraged actors to improve on their strategy working with sex workers. At least 36 cases should be identified weekly. Line listing activities need to be improved also to improve on data collection. This will be considered as evidence of what is happening in the district.
Actors were invited to dialogue in the whatsapp group and share their experiences. Generally, messages are put on the group for reaction, but no responses are received. The purpose of the group is to harmonize the strategies in what everybody should be doing. Doing the same thing and updating knowledge at the same time improves on work. Sensitization messages should be harmonized. Actors should avoid frightening patients, especially on the adoption of certain conduct and attitudes like drinking or eating bitter kola for example.
The use of telephones for booking appointments is necessary. Each time one is with a patient, the telephone number given should be verified immediately. Often, some patients give wrong telephone numbers and some even change their numbers and residences without notifying the UPEC or APS in charge. Patients will give all types of excuses for not taking their ARV regularly, Actors should emphasize on the need to respect the time announced during prescription and report if they have any difficulties. They are advised to use alarm clocks and watches as reminder tools. This is important.
Another specialized group of counsellors has been introduced at Baptist Hospital Mboppi. These counsellors focus and target single mothers who are parents with children without husbands. It has been observed that this group of mothers hav specific problems and requests to be tackled very strategically. They were given the opportunity to explain what their work consists of and how they are going to work with UPEC actors attached to the Mboppi hospital during weekly evaluation meeting.
It was noted that some of these mothers refuse to disclose their situation, though they need support. There are women living with many men but do not disclose their situation to the partners because they fear to be abandoned. It was advised that actors should encourage patients to adhere to their treatment. There should be continuous monitoring by actors. Actors should make efforts to counsel both partners because this creates better security for their health and wellbeing. The role of the counsellor is to educate and convince patients to adhere on the right decision.
EGPAF has put an incentive for motivating actors to improve on their performances. Those who will succeed to convince parents and sex workers to join in the HIV prevention strategy wagon and adopt positive strategies will be compensated monthly if they come up with one case or more each week.
Way Forward from October 21
To get a clear picture of how prepared Cameroon Link was, a third and final site evaluation took place on the 27th October 2021 and we have below traced activities and evaluation sessions organized at the level of the CBO, Hopital General and UPEC Mboppi. We organized working sessions with Cameroon Link staff on startegies for collaboration with Hopital General and Baptist Hospital Mboppi. The CBO Focal point, the UPEC Coordinator of Baptist Hospital Mboppi and EGPAF Representative at the district were guided by the focal point of CBOs on updates of appropriateness of Cameroon Link . Staff immediately engaged in the adaptation of the instructions received.
From the month of July 2021, staff of Cameroon Link started attending evaluation meetings of CBOs and APS to learn about the circuit of ARV and dispensation in the community through reports presented by actors already involved in the system. This concerned reporting on data of PLHIV in each health area, the respect of appointments, sensitization and counselling of PLHIV just to name a few activities.
Reports of the meetings and working sessions at Baptist Hospital and New Bell District level were shared with staff for updates. The focal point of CBOs, has coached staff of Cameroon Link on the filling of the DAILY APPOINTMENT REGISTER FOR PLHIV on ARV and the HIV Anti-retroviral dispensation register.
Since the 14th July, 2021 the CBOs’ Focal Point for Baptist Hospital (CBC) Mboppi, the UPEC Coordinator and EGPAF Project representative, have trained and informed Cameroon Link staff on the management of Cohorts through the register and sharing of data. They have been informed that some 500 PLHIV will be handled by Cameroon Link CBO in Bonaberi-Douala. For this reason, the training at the UPEC has focused on two main registers used during community dispensation of HIV anti-retroviral therapy drugs notably:
1. DAILY APPOINTMENT REGISTER FOR PLHIV ON ART
2. TRACKING REGISTER FOR RESEARCH OF PLHIV ABSENCES OR LOSS
In the dispensation register each of the 17 Cohorts will occupy one page in the register and it was explained that the patients will be drawn from the period 2008 to 2019. Patients will be followed up by Health Facilities (FOSA) for 24 months before they are transferred to CBOs when their Viral Loads (CV) are considered stable. The 500 patients announced will be classified at Cameroon Link under 17 Cohorts as follows:
1. January 2000 – July 2008
2. August 2008 - August 2009
3. September 2009 - August 2010
4. September 2010 – July 2011
5. August 2011 – July 2012
6. July 2012 – MAY 2013
7. June 2013 – March 2014
8. April 2014 – December 2014
9. January 2015 – August 2015
10. September 2015 – March 2016
11. April 2016 – August 2016
12. September 2016 – February 2017
13. March 2017 – July 2017
14. August 2017 – March 2018
15. April 2018 – September 2018
16. October 2018 – December 2018
17. January 2019 – December 2019
After the first evaluation of the Cameroon Link site, a second evaluation was expected in the month of September 2021 before effective transfer of PLHIV to the community site for dispensation of ARV. Cameroon Link has prepared tracks to facilitate access to Cameroon Link in Bonaberi and these tracks are shared with patients put on the transfer list.
The staff designated and trained to participate in the dispensation process at Cameroon link is as follows:
1.James Achanyi Fontem, Team Leader, Tel.: +237 677758840
2.Ojong Helen Ayamba, Nurse, +237 651776537
3. Kamdom Dzukam Christaine Laure, Asistant Nurse. +237 699877186
4. Mbon Flavie Marcelle , +237 675445953
5.Tsopgue Kemti Sandry Doriane, +237 675171014
Evaluation of monthly activities
The report shows the following:
No of patients expected: 20
No of patients received: 20
No of patients absent with the number of months inclusive: 0
No of patients that have abandoned their treatment: 0
No of home visits organized: 3
No of patients recovered: 0
No of support groups: 2
No of Men: 6
No of women: 14
It should be noted that most of the PLHIV in the residential area of Bonaberi are Internally Displaced Persons (IDP).
It is the role of the CBO to organize home visits to encourage patients who abandoned their treatment to continue taking their drugs and the home visits are reported every three months
The cohorts covered by Cameroon link are from 2000 to 2018
Cameroon Link started identifying the residences’ and localization zones of patients to facilitate planning of home visits.
The telephone numbers of patients are recorded with the name of a family relative who can pick up the drugs of the patients if he/she cannot come to Cameroon Link office. This information is noted on the CBO tracking sheet.
The beginning of the 2021/2022 activities started on the 1st October 2021.
Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-46356719948508313102021-09-12T02:14:00.000-07:002021-09-12T02:14:21.669-07:00Report of Community Dispensation of ARV for Month of August 2021 <b>By James Achanyi Fontem
camlinknews<b></b></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDKcK1923zreWZZJRZ6dR0RjbJccA-jAuIRI8PufiGb5KxAxji1ktexBL7R8ejmYVxpL__uliZO3RU3SES4GL2M3tD6sutQcyRymZ7HE3gnqFYmbgrjFu3V8tgFucrWvnTYnl9StR6DkU/s1416/Christaine+Laure.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="846" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDKcK1923zreWZZJRZ6dR0RjbJccA-jAuIRI8PufiGb5KxAxji1ktexBL7R8ejmYVxpL__uliZO3RU3SES4GL2M3tD6sutQcyRymZ7HE3gnqFYmbgrjFu3V8tgFucrWvnTYnl9StR6DkU/s320/Christaine+Laure.jpg"/></a></div>
The month started with the first weekly review meeting. The UPEC Coordinator, Dr. Serge Djombissie welcomed the participants after prayers. Each focal point presented a report on the work realized. In the reports, issues related to the daily appointment register for PLHIV on ART were handled. These included the data of viral load collection (VL), ART Code, initials of first and last name of patient, sex, age, contact telephone numbers address of residence of patients and general observations.
The general observations indicate the actual situation of patient, which include transfer of patients, search of PLHIV who have not shown up for more than three months and follow up to get their where about or whether they are dead. On the appointment register is put the date of the nextappointment and month the patient has to show up at the health facility (FOSA).
The official insisted on punctuality for meetings and dispatching of reports. Focal points are requested to get their reports ready ahead of the meeting day to permit a global situation forappreciation. There are focal points that arrive at meetings without completed reports.
It was suggested that focal points should be coached on making presentations during meetings to familiarize them on the technique of reporting. Since the hospital operates with two languages, English and French, both will be used for expression.
Each focal point in the presentation gives the number of patients expected during the week and the number of persons who showed up. A percentage of the result is given as out-come. The number of persons screened and initiated on ART is also presented.
Baptist Hospital of Mboppi has 23 Cohorts currently caring for over 5.000 PLHIV. These include different age groups starting from babies, persons above 10 years and persons above 40 years. Men and women, married and not married.
The hospital is caring for over 5.000 PLHIV and the problem is the insufficiency of ART for multi-months dispensation. The quantity received is not enough and the hospital has adoptd monthly dispensation instead of quarterly semester deliveries.
Yvette Ndongfac of Cameroon Link was introduced to the training fteam for replaement of Gertrude Menikoka who started training but fell sick and travelled to the village, where she is receiving treatment. Yvette Ndongfack is a nurse residing in Bonendale-Bonaberi.
At Baptist Hospital Mboppi, she was attached to the pharmacy to learn about the circuit for dispensation of ART and the different types of ART available. James Achanyi Fontem continued coaching at the consultation level to get insights on the different approaches for receiving and interviewing patients during checkups with the UPEC Major. Each patient has a particular attitude and the approach to collect information is diverse. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC1WBRRyYOfvHNY1Z4A6sqqtkW0RD8RVk65JlrvoMInhrwNiSdeIZHhm-Igp7COAwL3PjF-G82adaOd6MhijBr_-jJDW94H4o_kJfiUSuaOH5bOviNttv91p0w-_rC2LBsrEVasuboegm/s2048/CBC-Mboppi-Hospital-Pharmacy.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC1WBRRyYOfvHNY1Z4A6sqqtkW0RD8RVk65JlrvoMInhrwNiSdeIZHhm-Igp7COAwL3PjF-G82adaOd6MhijBr_-jJDW94H4o_kJfiUSuaOH5bOviNttv91p0w-_rC2LBsrEVasuboegm/s320/CBC-Mboppi-Hospital-Pharmacy.jpg"/></a></div>
There are patients that do not respect their appointment dates and the reasons are collected like illness and travel or busy occupations periods. The number of tablets he/she has is asked and this assists in taking the decision on the number of tablets to be served the patients. Some patients’ complained of side effects of the ART like itching and rashes on the skin. They are asked when the itching started and the type of water they bath with. Most of those who complained of itches use water from the well. This means the wells need some purification with a few drops of camel water regularly.
Due to the nature of daily occupations of some patients, a request is proposed for change of the time to take the ART. Some prefer in the morning and others in the evening. The patients are advised to respect the time for taking their ART. They are informed that the most recent generic of ART is programmed for early in the morning and preferably at 07H00 because it keeps the patient awake throughout the day. IF TAKEN IN THE EVENING, IT RETARDS SLEEP. Other types of tablets make the patient to be dizzy and it is advised to take them in the evening instead of the morning.
All pregnant mothers who arrive to start pre-natal consultation are screened automatically. This facilitates decision making on the therapeutic ART FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE MOTHER AND FEATUS. Special files are opened for pregnant mothers and newly delivered babies. It should be recalled that the Baptist Hospital in Mboppi receives over 5.000 patients on ART and data is updated during weekly meetings on Tuesday afternoon coordinated by the UPEC boss, Dr. Serge. During the meetings, focal points present data collected and report on attendance or respect of appointments by patients and difficulties encounted.
There are cases of patients who want to be served multiple month ART because they have left Douala for their villages in other regions. Asked whether they needed a transfer to their new residences or locations, they refuse and prefer to be served from CBC Hospital Mboppi. Asked whether they have any persons who could collect their ART and send to them where they are now residing, they hesitate giving any names. The ART given now to patients covers only a period of one month and patients have to go to the health facility every month to be served. Some patients are married but both do not live in the same town or home. This is a problem.
For patients on ARV, it is important to understand that the treatment is for life and there should be no break. A break gives the virus opportunity to become resistant. If a patient cannot go to the health facility to collect his/her ARV, a relative or friend should be sent to do so. Patients should avoid having bruises or openings on the skin. It creates opportunities for infections. Often the part of the body infected swells as a sign and this must be treated immediately. The patients should be able to say if he/she is having any side effects during treatment. These are often issues that need to be handled and addressed quickly.
Child care is very important for mothers that are breastfeeding. Babies that breastfeed are always very alert and interested in what happens around them. They act sometimes like adults in search of things they can carry along with them. It may be your phone, your keys or anything attractive. Babies suck the breast anywhere and it should be known that it is the right of the baby. The breast of a woman is for producing the baby’s milk. Baptist Hospital in Mboppi promotes exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after the birth of a baby and follows up the mother with a rapid test to guarantee that it is safe.
As concerns the time for taking the ARV either in the morning or in the evening, an alarm clock is necessary because it awakens the patient and reminds him/her of the time to take the ARV.
Gertrude Menikoka from Cameroon Link is still sick after attending a few meetings. She left for the village and was replaced by Yvette Ndongfac who also attemded two meetings and learning sessions. She has not shown up also. She has been replaced by Mbon Flavie who is currently going through the training process for community dispensation of ARV at the level of Cameroon Link in Bonaberi.
The report of validation for the month of July and August2021 was presented to highlight the information needed by UPEC and GTR-Sida/ Littoral. This report covered the number of new cases diagnosed and the number of patients served with ARV. The objective of community dispensation aims at reducing long waits of patients when they arrive the health facility (FOSA) and to reduce distances from their residences and spending on transport fares to collect their drugs.
The UPEC Coordinator emphasized on the need to remind patients on the appointments for collection of their ARV two days to the stipulated date. Patients who fail to show up for appointments for three months are directed to the health facility (FOSA) for retesting or screening after counseling. The respect of the time for taking the ARV is also emphasized. Some patients prefer to take their drugs in the morning and others in the evening. Investigations show that not all patients respect the time for taking their ARV. They are informed of the problem of resistance of the virus when the time is not respected.
A project to monitor cases of children infected has been launched. The pilot phase is currently taking place in Yaoundé and Douala. It is after the pilot phase that activities will be spread throughout the republic. The virus and its development in the body is explained by actors involved in prevention. The virus spreads very fast where the patient is face with other problems related to itching, rashes, fever, tuberculosis, malnutrition, diaherea just to name a few problems. When the virus penetrates the body, it hides in blood cells and reduces CD4 known as soldiers. Illnesses related to skin diseases show up as signs.
One-third of children infected die because their cells are weak. Children with HIV I die before the age of 5 years, while those infected by HIV II die before the age of 10 years. The number of CD4 varies with age and synthoms. At the third level, the symptoms’ of tuberculosis and diarrhea show up. When a patient arrives the health facility (FOSA) with an opportunistic problem, the viral charge load (CV) test is done before any prescription.
It was noted that Index Testing at Baptist Hospital Mboppi has been very low and it is below 5%. The coordinator said this sector of HIV prevention activity has been dormant and needs to be activated. He encouraged actors to improve on their strategy working with sex workers. At least 36 cases should be identified weekly. Line listing activities need to be improved also to improve on data collection. This will be considered as evidence of what is happening in the district.
Actors were invited to dialogue in the whatsapp group and share their experiences. Generally, messages are put on the group for reaction, but no responses are received. The purpose of the group is to harmonize the strategies in what everybody should be doing . Doing the same thing and updating knowledge at the same time improves on work. Sensitization messages should be harmonized. Actors should avoid frightening patients, especially on the adoption of certain conduct and attitudes like drinking or eating bitter kola for example.
The use of telephones for booking appointment is necessary. Each time one is with a patient, the telephone number given should be verified immediately. Often, some patients give wrong telephone numbers and some even change their numbers and residences without notifying the UPEC or APS in charge. Patients will give all types of excuses for not taking their ARV regularly, Actors should emphasize on the need to respect the time announced during prescription and report if they have any difficulties. They are advised to use alarm clocks and watches as reminder tools. This is important.
Another specialized group of counsellors has been introduced at Baptist Hospital Mboppi. These counsellors focus and target single mothers who are parents with children without husbands. It has been observed that this group of mothers have specific problems and requests to be tackled very strategically. They were given the opportunity to explain what their work will consist of and how they are going to work with other actors attached to the Mboppi hospital during a weekly evaluation meeting.
Some of these parents refuse to disclose their situation, though they need support. There are women living with men but do not disclose their situation to their partners because they fear to be abandoned. It was advised that actors should encourage patients to adhere to their treatment. There should be continuous monitoring by actors. Actors should make efforts to counsel both partners because this creates better security for their health and wellbeing. The role of the counsellor is to educate and convince patients to adhere on the right decision.
Dr. Amina Njoya has put an incentive for motivating actors to improve on their performances. Those who will succeed to convince parents and sex workers to join in the HIV prevention strategy wagon and adopt positive strategies will be compensated monthly if they come up with one case or more each week.
Way Forward from September 2021
To get a clear picture of how prepared Cameroon Link is, we have below traced activities and evaluation session organized at the level of the CBO and UPEC. The 10-page protocol document between GTR/Littoral and Cameroon Link was endorsed on the 4th June 2021 and deposited at Hopital General Douala and Baptist Hospital (CBC) Mboppi.
We then organized working sessions with Cameroon Link staff to prepare an agenda for participation during coaching sessions at Baptist Hospital Mboppi. On the first contact, the focal point for OBCs was sent to identify the location of Cameroon Link in Bonaberi and report on the appropriateness of the site for receiving PLHIV,
On the report of the CBO Focal point, the UPEC Coordinator of Baptist Hospital Mboppi and EGPAF Representative at the district were guided by the focal point of OBCs to Cameroon Link for a first evaluation. Some recommendations were made for updating the appropriateness of Cameroon Link . Staff immediately engaged in the adaptation of the offices as instructed.
From the month of July 2021, staff of Cameroon Link started attending evaluation meetings of CBOs and APS to learn about the circuit of ARV and dispensation in the community through reports presented by actors already involved in the system. This concerned reporting on data of PLHIV in each health area, the respect of appointments , sensitization and counselling of PLHIV just to name a few activities.
Reports of the meetings and working sessions at Baptist Hospital and New Bell District level were shared with staff for updates. The focal point of CBOs, has coached staff of Cameroon Link on the filling of the DAILY APPOINTMENT REGISTER FOR PLHIV onARV and the HIV Anti-retroviral dispensation register.
Since the 14th July, 2021 the CBOs’ Focal Point for Baptist Hospital (CBC) Mboppi, the UPEC Coordinator and EGPAF Project Funding representative, have trained and informed Cameroon Link staff on the management of Cohort hrough the register and sharing of data. Hey have been informed that some 500 PLHIV will be handled by Cameroon Link CBO in Bonaberi-Douala. For this reason, the training at the UPEC has focused on two main registers used during community dispensation of HIV anti-retroviral therapy drugs notably :
1. DAILY APPOINTMENT REGISTER FOR PLHIV ON ART
2. TRACKING REGISTER FOR RESEARCH OF PLHIV ABSENCE OR LOSS
In the dispensation register each of the 17 Cohorts will occupy one page in the register and it was explained that the patients will be drawn from the period 2008 to 2019. Patients will be followed up by Health Facilities (FOSA) for 24 months before they are transferred to CBOs when their Viral Loads (CV) are considered stable. The 500 patients announced will be classified at Cameroon Link under 17 Cohorts as follows:
1. January 2000 – July 2008
2. August 2008 - August 2009
3. September 2009 - August 2010
4. September 2010 – July 2011
5. August 2011 – July 2012
6. July 2012 – MAY 2013
7. June 2013 – March 2014
8. April 2014 – December 2014
9. January 2015 – August 2015
10. September 2015 – March 2016
11. April 2016 – August 2016
12. September 2016 – February 2017
13. March 2017 – July 2017
14. August 2017 – March 2018
15. April 2018 – September 2018
16. October 2018 – December 2018
17. January 2019 – December 2019
After the first evealuation of the Cameroon Link site, a second evaluation is expected in the month of September 2021 before effective transfer of PLHIV to the community site for dispensation of ARV. Cameroon Link has prepared track to facilitate access to Cameroon Link in Bonaberi and these tracks are shared with patients put on the transfer list.
The staff designated and trained to participate in the dispensation process at Cameroon link is as follows:
1. James Achanyi Fontem, Team Leader, Tel.: +237 677758840
2. Ojong Helen Ayamba, Nurse, +237 651776537
3. Kamdom Dzukam Christaine Laure, Asistant Nurse. +237 699877186
4. Mbon Flavie Marcelle , +237 693002311
<b></b>Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-63335955759927479542021-09-12T01:50:00.002-07:002021-09-12T02:31:41.724-07:00New Bell-Douala District HIV Coordination Meeting Holds in Bonapriso
<b>By James Achanyi Fontem, camlinknews<b></b></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GjhoujY6yQ5lx4VsKOXekInt2ei5tBuNMvKst2ektRkxpDYfz8x1J_iDiSuW02A8nQBjEOKgawa6eucKh8yx3IqrcoUmW25jJCfbYiQmACs-MexsMoYe-MTtm5I2yI2VyZ5s897pbBVa/s320/1627887943548.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GjhoujY6yQ5lx4VsKOXekInt2ei5tBuNMvKst2ektRkxpDYfz8x1J_iDiSuW02A8nQBjEOKgawa6eucKh8yx3IqrcoUmW25jJCfbYiQmACs-MexsMoYe-MTtm5I2yI2VyZ5s897pbBVa/s320/1627887943548.jpg"/></a></div>
Eliszabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation , EGPAF, sponsored the New Bell District Coordination Meeting of 9th September 2021 at Futuris Hotel in Bonapriso presided over by the representative of the regional delegate for public health in the Littoral.
Mrs. BAYICKE Chimene made a presentation of the objective of the meeting and designated minuts secretaries. She told participants that it was an opportunity to make an evaluation of progress in the prevention of the spread of HIV in the past three months, exchange on the challenges and make proposals on the best strategies to fill the gaps created by obstacles. She focused her attention on the coordination of activities in the health district during the month of August 2021.
The officer in charge of monitoring and evaluation presented data collected for the 4th cluster and the results expected. The data was discussed and validated after a question and answer session. The was followed by the moderation of presentations of the different project sites , trigulation of data from the sites and validation.
Dr. Sih made a presentation on the situation of HIV therapeutic drugs , the stock and challenges during delivery in each site site. It was noted that some sites like Mboppi with many PLHIV do not receive enough stock to satisfy patients and most patients receive their VAT monthly and not quarterly or bi-annually as recommended by the protocols.
The leader of the TB Unit made a presentation of activities in her sector and it was noted that some patients receive treatment but it is not documented. The coordinators of the different sites were advised to update their data for presentation of the real situation in each sites. Some patients change their residential areas and telephone numbers and are lost during tracking especially when they move from one region to another. It was advised that tracking should be done and coordinators of TB in the new sites of the patients informed for better follow up. Mrs. Abomo presented the best strategies for tracking TB patients to guarantee that treatment protocols are respected to avoid transmission to other persons.
Coordinators of Community based organisations, CBO, were give the opportunity to make presentations on the activities in their different sites with challenges and suggestions for amelioration of performance. Mr. Mekal of the GTR/AIDS in the littoral presented a review of activities of CBos during the month of August in New Bell District. Challenges in relation with the different communities were presented and solutions proposed to improve for better results.
The meeting ended with an elaboration of a plan of action for follow up of recommendations. Facilitators were Dr. Mossi, Dr. Sih, Dr. Etoa Mebara,Dr. Bayicke ChimeneMr. Mekal, Dr. Nyemb Grace of EGPAF and Arnold Ndille of EGPAF, Mme Audrey Sah of GTR. Participants were coordinators and UPEC Majors from the lead sites in New Bell, Mboppi, Ad Lucem,CMA Congo, Nkololoun and New Bell Prison.
The CBOs were APSUPES, KAMITIK,New Way, FESPAC, and Cameroon Link. There were also representatives of the community, COSADI, COSA, representative of pharmacies and the the associate of monitoring and evealuation from New Bell. Cameroon Link was given the opportunity to present the way forward since the signing of protocol agreement with GTR/AIDS for Littoral.
To get a clear picture of how prepared Cameroon Link is, we have below traced activities and evaluation session organized at the level of the CBO and UPEC. The 10-page protocol document between GTR/Littoral and Cameroon Link was endorsed on the 4th June 2021 and deposited at Hopital General Douala and Baptist Hospital (CBC) Mboppi.
We then organized working sessions with Cameroon Link staff to prepare an agenda for participation during coaching sessions at Baptist Hospital Mboppi. On the first contact, the focal point for OBCs was sent to identify the location of Cameroon Link in Bonaberi and report on the appropriateness of the site for receiving PLHIV, <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_W-B3i5uTuNoShpX4epVAbdyYV5A5MdEl-jdq0Pkw2vVKSWuoc7TBAykBWSxwZSbfwZ2snPpbEAgfOKU9z_UlDcbQby0UO7GOdOBxKW02i1GPHqjvneGXgNE_VvZpOOLXGPFdYvznBX0/s240/ARV-drugs.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_W-B3i5uTuNoShpX4epVAbdyYV5A5MdEl-jdq0Pkw2vVKSWuoc7TBAykBWSxwZSbfwZ2snPpbEAgfOKU9z_UlDcbQby0UO7GOdOBxKW02i1GPHqjvneGXgNE_VvZpOOLXGPFdYvznBX0/s320/ARV-drugs.jpg"/></a></div>
On the report of the CBO Focal point, the UPEC Coordinator of Baptist Hospital Mboppi and EGPAF Representative at the district were guided by the focal point of OBCs to Cameroon Link for a first evaluation. Some recommendations were made for updating the appropriateness of Cameroon Link . Staff immediately engaged in the adaptation of the offices as instructed.
From the month of July 2021, staff of Cameroon Link started attending evaluation meetings of CBOs and APS to learn about the circuit of ARV and dispensation in the community through reports presented by actors already involved in the system. This concerned reporting on data of PLHIV in each health area, the respect of appointments , sensitization and counselling of PLHIV just to name a few activities.
Reports of the meetings and working sessions at Baptist Hospital and New Bell District level were shared with staff for updates. The focal point of CBOs, has coached staff of Cameroon Link on the filling of the DAILY APPOINTMENT REGISTER FOR PLHIV onARV and the HIV Anti-retroviral dispensation register.
Since the 14th July, 2021 the CBOs’ Focal Point for Baptist Hospital (CBC) Mboppi, the UPEC Coordinator and EGPAF Project Funding representative, have trained and informed Cameroon Link staff on the management of Cohort hrough the register and sharing of data. Hey have been informed that some 500 PLHIV will be handled by Cameroon Link CBO in Bonaberi-Douala. For this reason, the training at the UPEC has focused on two main registers used during community dispensation of HIV anti-retroviral therapy drugs notably :
1. DAILY APPOINTMENT REGISTER FOR PLHIV ON ART
2. TRACKING REGISTER FOR RESEARCH OF PLHIV ABSENCE OR LOSS
In the dispensation register each of the 17 Cohorts will occupy one page in the register and it was explained that the patients will be drawn from the period 2008 to 2019. Patients will be followed up by Health Facilities (FOSA) for 24 months before they are transferred to CBOs when their Viral Loads (CV) are considered stable. The 500 patients announced will be classified at Cameroon Link under 17 Cohorts as follows:
1. January 2000 – July 2008
2. August 2008 - August 2009
3. September 2009 - August 2010
4. September 2010 – July 2011
5. August 2011 – July 2012
6. July 2012 – MAY 2013
7. June 2013 – March 2014
8. April 2014 – December 2014
9. January 2015 – August 2015
10. September 2015 – March 2016
11. April 2016 – August 2016
12. September 2016 – February 2017
13. March 2017 – July 2017
14. August 2017 – March 2018
15. April 2018 – September 2018
16. October 2018 – December 2018
17. January 2019 – December 2019
After the first evealuation of the Cameroon Link site, a second evaluation is expected in the month of September 2021 before effective transfer of PLHIV to the community site for dispensation of ARV. Cameroon Link has prepared track to facilitate access to Cameroon Link in Bonaberi and these tracks are shared with patients put on the transfer list.
The staff designated and trained to participate in the dispensation process at Cameroon link is as follows:
1. James Achanyi Fontem, Team Leader, Tel.: +237 677758840
2. Ojong Helen Ayamba, Nurse, +237 651776537
3. Kamdom Dzukam Christaine Laure, Asistant Nurse. +237 699877186
4. Mbon Flavie Marcelle , +237 693002311
5. Emmanuel Atangah +237 675312939
Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-47486327410736093082021-09-01T10:12:00.000-07:002021-09-01T10:12:30.851-07:00Constitutive General Assembly of Achenadi Credit Union<b>Constitutive General Assembly of Achenadi Credit Union (ACU) held in Buea on the 27th August 2021 under the chairmanship of the President General of Achenadia Development Association (ADA). ACHENADIA CREDIT UNION (ACU) is a savings and credit oriented organization managed by members of Achenadia Development Association (ADA). It operates in line with directives of OHADA, MINFI, COBAC and Cameroon Cooperative Credit Union (CamCUL) league. Its main objective is to provide reliable and financial services that meet the short and long term expectations of members.<b></b></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWKqPmIs5dE-ODsJ0ugVbzhCcM_7TciHqmAu_CXc71JLev4dcVOc79lVNUqG-9Ta0Yqhj1HzbLTseF5EvBqqVT-gX2H0Kis-MImiyB45fiyZHNMfcEj4rVkXb0CvuppP0BrsCkGIKRWvM/s1080/IMG-20210827-WA0010.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="607" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWKqPmIs5dE-ODsJ0ugVbzhCcM_7TciHqmAu_CXc71JLev4dcVOc79lVNUqG-9Ta0Yqhj1HzbLTseF5EvBqqVT-gX2H0Kis-MImiyB45fiyZHNMfcEj4rVkXb0CvuppP0BrsCkGIKRWvM/s320/IMG-20210827-WA0010.jpg"/></a></div>
The objectives of Achendia Credit Union (ACU) are as follows:
* Promotion of community development activities through IEC, Training and Advocacy
• Collection and publication of health information and Laboratory data
• Participation in Agriculture and Health Research
• Mobilizations of funds and material resources for weight control activities.
Mobilization of funds to boost Achenadia Credit Union activities.
• Collaboration with donors and volunteers on Agriculture, Lice stock breeding, health development (HIV & COVID 19 prevention) and community development.
Participative in socio-economic research projects and strategies.
• Fund raising of funds for transportation for volunteer agriculture and health workers (Volunteer Peer Educators).
• Production and multiplication and distribution of of education materials on well being of rural area populations.
Minutes of Constitutive General Assembly of Achenadi Credit Union
The meeting started with the arrival of participants from Mamfe, Manjo, Dschang, Douala, Limbe, Ekona, Buea and other cities of Cameroon at 3 p.m. This was followed by installing the zoom to connect with members in the diaspora at 15h30. Members in the diaspora are located in the United States of America and Europe (Finland).
Opening prayer was offered by Rev. Father Stanley Monet Otto and Ma Julie Achanyi from Mamfe, followed by a statement by the host, Pastor Prisco Acheaqnyi, who said he aim of inviting members of Achenadi famly to his residence was basically to get all build a better future of the children born in the family.
Pa James informed participants that he was consulted and it was from there that he announced the intention of Pastor Priscot on whatsapp. All who read th message requested the host to give a date to allow each and everyone to organize his/her agenda. The first date give was August 28 and it was brought back to August 27 because some members had to do long distances to reach the venue.
Pa James added that it was necessary to revive the discussions on the agenda of Achenadia to focus on more positive activities and suggested that he was going to present a write-up for the creation of Achenadia Credit Union (ACU). The statute and intern€al regulation was presented to the general assembly. He enlightened participants on the process of creating a credit union orga€nisation.
The draft constitution of the Achenadia Credit Union as read by Mammy Julie Achanyi from Mamfe, discussed by participant before election of the executive bureau members. The election was conducted by the President General of Achenadia, Pa James Achanyi Fontem based in Douala, economic capital of Cameroon.
The election was followed by animation of the meeting by some talented members n nweh language. Nkem Tanyi who acted as the key master of ceremony emphasized that the issue of internally displaced persons should be discussed within the agenda.
The executive bureau of Achenadia Credit Union was elected as follows;
COMPOSITION OF EXECUTIVE BUREAU
President General: Pa James Achanyi Fontem Tel: +237677758840
President: Dr. Francis Leke Achanyi – Tel: 00210 1780536
Vice President: : Pastor Priscot Acheanyi, Tel: +237 677511844
Secretary: Mrs. Atuwoah Juliata Tel: +237 656384105
Financial Secretary: Ngosong Clinton Anuwoh Tel: +237 672068431
Treasurer: Ma Julie Ngwibethe Tel: +237
Commissioners of Accounts: Ma Juliana Ngwi Achanyi Tel: 237 677122520
Nkem Frederick Otto Tel: 0012404134977
Resource Persons: Bernard Otto Tel: +237
Chrisantus Abila Achanyi Tel: 00358443667488
Nkematem Richard Tel: 0013012136154
Pa James Achanyi Fontem took the responsibility of getting the creation of Achenadia Credit Union endorsed by the public administration of the Republic of Cameroon.
The President of the Achenadia Credit Union, Dr. Francis Leke Achanyi was given the title of traditional notability of NKEMLEKE by the general assembly.
PARTICIPANTS
1. James Achanyi Fontem Tel: +237677758840
2. Dr. Francis Nkemleke Achanyi – Tel: 00210 1780536
3. Pastor Priscot Acheanyi, Tel: +237 677511844
4. Rev. Father Stanley Monet Otto
5. Mrs. Atuwoah Juliata Tel: +237 656384105
6. Ngosong Clinton Anuwoh Tel: +237 672068431
7. Ma Julie Ngwibethe Tel: +237
8. Ma Juliana Ngwi Achanyi Tel: 237 677122520
9. Nkem Frederick Otto (Anuwoh Otto II} Tel: 0012404134977
10. Bernard Otto Tel: +237
11. Chrisantus Abila Achanyi Tel: 00358443667488
12. Nkematem Richard Tel: 0013012136154
13. Francis Otto Tel: 237 677590174
14. Francis Tezanu Tel: 237671864878
15. Irene Mbi Nkongchou Tel: 237 681143781
16. Mami Emilia Ngwibete Tel: 237 682719016
17. Anyinkeng Brenda Tel: 237 681122335
18. Justine Bezeatanga Tel: 237 652303568
19. Asonganyi Yvette Tel: 237 670679714
20. Ngosong Clinton Anuwoh Tel: 237672068431
21. Alice Lechindem Tel: 237 676407914
22. Ndeloh Akeamua Esther Tel: 237651373692
23. Melvis Nkeng Tel: 237 681031200
24. Zingwa Joseph Tel: 237 681033606
25. Nkematem Moses Tel: 237 677067693
26. Nkem Tanyi Tel: 237 677951333
27. Mike Achanyi Tel: 237 674432119
28. Atem Prodencia Tel: 237 670875674
29. Anuwoh Romanus Tel: 237 674933787
30. Anuwoah Juliata Tel: 237 656384105
31. Christensia Emeleke Tel: 237 676751412
32. Ngosong Anna Tel: 237 676113200
33. Ateuawung Eric Tel: 237 679323370
34. Ateuawung Rose Tel: 237 650987151
35. Anyikeu Nadesh Tel: 237 673312838
36. Acho Lazarus Tel: 237 677481343
Done in Buea, on the 27th €ugust 2021
President General
James Achanyi Fontem
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Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-40837462097460189482021-09-01T09:52:00.002-07:002021-09-02T05:01:34.105-07:00ACHENADIA CREDIT UNION (ACU)<b><b></b></b>ACHENADIA CREDIT UNION (ACU) is a savings and credit oriented organization managed by members of Achenadia Development Association (ADA). It operates in line with directives of OHADA, MINFI, COBAC and Cameroon Cooperative Credit Union (CamCUL) league. Its main objective is to provide reliable and financial services that meet the short and long term expectations of members.
<b>MEMBERSHIP</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpheyB1k9bOdu4yIAAl0JLLI2SBzMvrV5T2pATvuzalSbNSliKfsQLYOB872iCH4B3lgxouzCwg_C6YR8B6IOR2vxCeZ6a7WLhyphenhyphenNQLQWEJwK58Asf030cnECH2Z2LNHGTt85QqIRC0Vdc/s320/VID-20210830-WA0013.mp4" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpheyB1k9bOdu4yIAAl0JLLI2SBzMvrV5T2pATvuzalSbNSliKfsQLYOB872iCH4B3lgxouzCwg_C6YR8B6IOR2vxCeZ6a7WLhyphenhyphenNQLQWEJwK58Asf030cnECH2Z2LNHGTt85QqIRC0Vdc/s320/VID-20210830-WA0013.mp4"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4KDqVtvTM8TQLFPRGO_aPU7IBWWjHGDVsUdV0rJpEZyOiSc0loMicFHnc5LC3OtTvikS4iKUeDRJrLMAnJCdEUgqzYqoytr3b9b5yE04ofjC5IQK6An5DvziXz4kq_hS8paOfWAcyso7/s1080/IMG-20210827-WA0010.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="607" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4KDqVtvTM8TQLFPRGO_aPU7IBWWjHGDVsUdV0rJpEZyOiSc0loMicFHnc5LC3OtTvikS4iKUeDRJrLMAnJCdEUgqzYqoytr3b9b5yE04ofjC5IQK6An5DvziXz4kq_hS8paOfWAcyso7/s320/IMG-20210827-WA0010.jpg"/></a></div>
Membership is acquired by:
• Filling membership application form
• Payment of entrance fee of 2.000Frs
• Contribution of shares. A SHARE IS EQUIVALENT TO Ten Thousand (10.000) Frs, which is refundable upon withdrawal of membership.
• Contribution of a building fee of Five Thousand (5.000) Frs and a solidarity fund of Two Thousand (2.000) Frs annually.
• Submission of two passport size photos
MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS
• Members are owners of the Credit Union and they patronize the growth of the credit Union.
• Members make regular savings and can take loans.
• Members attend annual general assembly meetings (AGM).
• Members participate in Education General Meetings (EGM) and participate in decision making process towards the Credit Union. Members vote and can be elected into any position of responsibility in the union.
• ACHENADIA CREDIT UNION (ACU) members have equal rights in accordance with the democratic principles of the union.
SAVINGS ACCOUNT
Money saved in this account earns interest and equally gives members enough security to benefit from loans.
Withdrawal from this account requires a short notice given that savings are members’ own investment in the credit union.
<b>DEPOSITE ACCOUNT</b>
A Deposite account is an emergency and business account. Deposites can be withdrawn without notification. A Deposite account yields no interest.
<b>SALARY ACCOUNT</b>
Civil srvants and private workers can receive their salary through this account. Cheques are provided to holders of this account. Receiving salaries at Achenadia Credit Union can permit you to benefit from the following:
• Overdraft facilities
• Express School Fee Loans
• Social loans
• Money Transfer
• Business loan
• Agriculture loan
• Health and Education loan
• Anniversary celebration loan
• Family Consumption loan
<b>Daily Saving Account</b>
Daily savings account is provided mainly for small traders, “Bayam Sellam” and people who can afford to save small amounts daily and make withdrawals at the end of the month when need be. The Union charges a little fee for this service monthly on the amount saved. This empowers contributors to earn at the end of every month.
LOANS TO MEMBERS
Since Achenadi Credit Union’s objective is to solve members’ common problems and to fight against poverty. Loans are granted at low interest rates of 3% within savings and 5% above savings per month in the financial market.
The conditions and procedure for obtaining a loan has been simplified for various reasons and purposes like building, business, agriculture, consumption, just to name a few. The loan policy is elaborate on the different types of loans applied based on rates and conditions.
<b>ACCOUNTS FOR MINOR AND CHILDREN BELOW 18 YEARS</b>
Within Achenadia Development Assosiation (ADA), accounts can be opened for minors and children below 18 years as insurance for kids. This is to facilitate parents to prepare for the education, medical care and other issues related to child up bringing. Withdrawals are not chargeable and savings earn interest at the end of the year. The account is managed by adults until the child is above 18 years.
GROUP ACCOUNT
Achenadia Credit Union (ACU) offers opportunities for groups to open accounts with the union and Interest is paid on amounts saved annually. Withdrawals are free and fast. Loans are equally granted to groups on similar conditions as other custumers.
<b>MONEY TRANSFER</b>
Members are given the opportunity to send and receive money through Achenadia Credit Union (ACU). This service is fast, flexible, reliable and low cost.
<b>FINANCIAL CONSULTANCY SERVICE</b>
Achanadia Credit Union (ACU) offers to members consultancy services on how to manage their businesses free of any charge. During mid-year meetings, members receive information on the union’s products and how they can tailor their finances to meet today’s challenges.
Achenadia Development Association (ADA) is a charity not-for-profit making organisation for the promotion of community development, women’s empowerment, human assistance, advocacy, education and communication on human rights and social wellbeing
It was founded by a native dialogue group of social welfare workers from Lebang Fondom , following the crucial lack of good circulation of information on community development issues.
By the organizational structure of Achenadia Development Association (ADA) and the involvement of the natives’ purposes, it is recognised to have great social mobilisation capacities for penetration of the grassroots populations. Achenadia Development Association (ADA)uses the approaches of community mobilisation that take into account the roles of all stakeholders. The Community Based Organisation (CBO) offers technical know-how and services through training and consultation. It operates a Credit Union, counselling, documentation and training centre in Buea, South west region of Camer<b>oon.
COMPOSITION OF EXECUTIVE BUREAU</b>
President General: Pa James Achanyi Fontem Tel: +237677758840
President: Dr. Francis Leke Achanyi – Tel: 00210 1780536
Vice President: : Pastor Prisco Acheanyi, Tel: +237 677511844
Secretary: Mrs. Atuwoah Juliata Tel: +237 656384105
Financial Secretary: Ngosong Clinton Anuwoh Tel: +237 672068431
Treasurer: Ma Julie Ngwe bethe Tel: +237
Commissioners of Accounts: Ma Juliana Ngwi Achanyi Tel: 237 677122520
Nkem Frederick Otto Tel: 0012404134977
Resource Persons: Bernard Otto Tel: +237
Chrisantus Abila Achanyi Tel: 00358443667488
Nkematem Richard Tel: 0013012136154
<b>Activities</b>
* Promotion of community development activities through IEC, Training and Advocacy
• Collection and publication of health information and Laboratory data
• Participation in Agriculture and Health Research
• Mobilizations of funds and material resources for weight control activities.
Mobilization of funds to boost Achenadia Credit Union activities.
• Collaboration with donors and volunteers on Agriculture, Lice stock breeding, health development (HIV & COVID 19 prevention) and community development.
Participative in socio-economic research projects and strategies.
• Fund raising of funds for transportation for volunteer agriculture and health workers (Volunteer Peer Educators).
• Production and multiplication and distribution of of education materials on well being of rural area populations.
The activities of the executive bureau are defined by the general assembly members of Achenadia Development Association (ADA). The executive bureau meets every three months to evealuate and review quarterly reports and strategies of activities. It presents reports to the general assembly annually. It is administered by an executive bureau elected during a general assembly session.
Attributions of Executive Bureau Members
The President General:
The <b>president general</b> convenes meetings and represents ADA during all public activities.
He presides over meetings of ADA.
The <b>president</b> coordinates activities of the Achenadia Credit Union (ACU) and reports to the president general.
The president is co-signatory for withdrawals from the accounts of ADA/ACU.
He is charged with the execution of decisions adopted by the general assembly;
The <b>vice-president</b> represents and replaces the president in case of absence.
<b>Secretariat</b>:
The <b>Secretary General</b> registers and assures the management of minutes of ADA.
The <b>Financial Secretary</b> documents all financial transactions of ADA
<b>Treasurer</b> :
The Treasurer guarantees and is keeper of emergency funds of ADA. He/she is one of the signatories of the account of the organisation.
<b>Commissioners of accounts</b>:
The Commissioners of accounts are in charge of controlling financial records of the organisation.
<b>Advisers/ Resource Persons</b>:
Advisers/ Resource Persons have the mission of undertaking studies, analysis of documents submitted to ADA. They suggest solutions to problems raised in the community hindering smooth running of the organisation.
.
<b>EXPENDITURES</b>
• The expenditures of ADA are elaborated within the context of an annual budget with specific lines lines approved by the general assembly.
• An account is opened in a banking institution for current and savings account transactions.
• Three signatures are deposited at the bank to authorize withdrawals of funds when it is necessary. The signatures are those of the president and the treasurer or the president and financial secretary.
Article 14: REVISION OF STATUTE:
a) All modifications of this statute and internal regulations must be approved by two-third (2/3) of the members of the general assembly on the proposal of the executive bureau. Changes in the executive bureau must be communicated to administrative authorities within thirty (30) days of modification.
<b>DISSOLUTION</b>:
a) Dissolution of ADA can be effective only by two-thirds (2/3) majority votes of registered up-to-date members during general assembly.
b) In the case of dissolution, the general assembly appoints two liquidators to handle the materials and financial records of ADA. This can be auctioned or handed over to any organization with similar humanitarian objectives.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwK_gXfwn9acaMPZ-rs2yjfxooL7iDwcrkdlIjwam4dan9HBH6zXqq8B27_EP7K4yW8QD64ytEyLQpRcxw6wg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwYTag-KOMUpK-e6bJmmE01OzxV5jaVFDvPKnTvvFvKrGkpF3ngqZHWnbEqZPkzQfI3m_JeEaCoCIoGPq5g-g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxUYwccir3Ho6kefUO7G1qTAxHzYZZuU-8_ykIhYiyXos8MD4EYt9eA4ggRHPhl9egrAYeOqQJTTGfThg2yEA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz2D22XqC57V6nS6kfSaACgOfPPcx-aL_od8Y51C2oppOYJj_Mx3Hdroo7qpWr9kMee5_I6_FkQyD-7EjCwrg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Done in Buea, on the 27th August 2021
James Achanyi Fontem
President General
President General
Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-51150221206036646582021-07-30T11:03:00.003-07:002021-07-30T11:15:14.194-07:00WOCOTOMADI CELEBRATES 10th ANNIVERSARY<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5f-Hpl7VoRzaHO_NEw8BBnMndbcvlO6-WOcjOVepTcUt4WUXrOmWXjCpmpEruKciXCJEbc6pUTnA8AYTA6atx8RRac9iei0pjwQRWcyrsZoLjRIPCxxA4Vo7WRu8pK7jAYAuIZc_u8WQ/s2592/SAM_1086.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5f-Hpl7VoRzaHO_NEw8BBnMndbcvlO6-WOcjOVepTcUt4WUXrOmWXjCpmpEruKciXCJEbc6pUTnA8AYTA6atx8RRac9iei0pjwQRWcyrsZoLjRIPCxxA4Vo7WRu8pK7jAYAuIZc_u8WQ/s320/SAM_1086.JPG"/></a></div>The Founder of the << World Coming Together To Make A Difference>> (WOCOTOMADI), Mrs Julienne Siwe, based in the United States of America, has announced an agenda for the celebration of the 10th anniversary of her organization. The celebration in Cameroon has been slated for the 30th July 2021 in Yaounde. It should be noted that the occasion nfalls on the International Day for celebration of Kings and Traditional leaders. Though 10 years is not the age of maturity, it serves for reviewing the path WOCOTOMADI has gone through since its creation.
The first international day of kings and traditional leaders was celebrated on the 30th July 2019 and before that celebrayion WOCOTOMADI organized several activities to high light the importance of living together. These events included the Black Women’s Round Table, the Day of the Keepers of Tradition, the creation of the Emergency Committee of WOCOTOMADI, support to the Multi-purpose Women’s Empowerment and Development Centre at Lenale Ndem Palace in Melong, organization of a workshop on non-violence against women and WOCOTOMADI Gender Equality Training just to name a few.
Programme for Celebration of 10th Anniversary of WOCOTOMADI
On 27th July 2021 at site of the Reunification Monument in Yaoundé, a Peace Procession was organized on living together by Kings and Traditional Leaders followed by a press conference to announce festivities proper of the 10th anniversary of WOCOTOMADI. The ends with a family photo
On the 28th July evening, members in Orlando, USA, hold an extraordinary general assembly and on the 29th July, in Orlando, London, United Kingdom,Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Ukraine,Morocco, Tunisia, France, Germany, Belgium and Cote d’Ivoire, members organize separate sessions to celebrate and exchange on progress made and produce an action plan for the future. Sponsors and other partners take part during deliberations.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuXiZiZesLIPc2UWpUuVXtOAzNspsG-AdA3pWUJHjCx1sS5DVJRkfJDwl6pOUF6aUS6wm568sjv205mHXQuOg3SR9pHgV8yBOIylPTrzF-MH0VfLrUOnmT2FQtVdqjR4SMieEvQt0cQvP/s2592/SAM_1084.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuXiZiZesLIPc2UWpUuVXtOAzNspsG-AdA3pWUJHjCx1sS5DVJRkfJDwl6pOUF6aUS6wm568sjv205mHXQuOg3SR9pHgV8yBOIylPTrzF-MH0VfLrUOnmT2FQtVdqjR4SMieEvQt0cQvP/s320/SAM_1084.JPG"/></a></div>
On the 29th July, there is a campaign against diabetes and hypertension with the participation of MINAC, MINPROFF and other stake holders who make presentations on way forward.
On the 30th July, WOCOTOMADI l makes a presentation of its balance sheet of 10 years during the anniversary celebration proper at the National Mesuem in Yaoundé. There will be a good number of activities including the handing over of awards to some very active members with entertainment just to name a few.
On te 31st July, events will close at the Yaoundé City Council, where WOCOTOMADI wiil present the KISSABRONZE Kingdom to celebrate the 3rd International Day of Kings and Traditional Leaders in Cameroon.
It would be recalled that the author of this report chaired the official launching of the first national executive bureau of WOCOTOMADI Cameroon in Yaoundé. Thisregrouped delegates from the ten regions of the country. The public administrator of Yaoundé I was present and lauded the initiative of Mrs. Julienne Siwe bringing people together to make a difference.
On the 13th November 2019, a working session held at the office of WOCOTOMADI Cameroon Notary, opposite Pro-Pharma Besssengue- Douala in the presence of Mrs. Nyobe, General Secretary of WOCOTOMADI Cameroon for execution of some planned activities. Maître Simo welcomed us and we explained to him the purpose of our visit on a Sunday afternoon. The objective was to collect a subvention channeled through the lawyer. Mme Nyobe could receive the CFA 100.000 nfor execution of some planned activities after the ceremony of the official visit of the Women’s Empowerment Centre constructed at the Lenale Ndem Palalace in Melong. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpu9F7S2aqP2bO1Wd-nUijS26Qh9RlmD9BeXQCT11am5pcsEDGTkmE8xyujPP6jBcZSbycK8S8_9H1LDOwggZorpSzqHCkntuxMMqXv3CN0XMANuxzr6dIePAHq1UAgv-eStNvMNv2jqJ7/s2592/SAM_1087.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpu9F7S2aqP2bO1Wd-nUijS26Qh9RlmD9BeXQCT11am5pcsEDGTkmE8xyujPP6jBcZSbycK8S8_9H1LDOwggZorpSzqHCkntuxMMqXv3CN0XMANuxzr6dIePAHq1UAgv-eStNvMNv2jqJ7/s320/SAM_1087.JPG"/></a></div>
We informed the lawyer that Mrs. Julienne Siwe, Founder of WOCOTOMADI based in the USA had informed us that we should collect CFA250.000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Francs CFA). The lawyer inf9rmed us that he collected approximately CFA 280.000 ( Two Hundred and Eighty Thousand Frs CFA, but unfortunately he did not keep money in his office. He informed us that CFA 150.000 ( One Hundred and Fifty Thousand was available in the office and he will send CFA 100.000 ( One Hundred Thousand Frs CFA) to Mme Nyobe by Orang Money transfer on next day, Monday.
With this explanation, we held a brief session on how the CFA 250.000 (Two and Hundred and Fifty Thousand Frs CFA had to be spent in the interest of advancing WOCOTOMADI Project in Cameroon. Considering that three computers were exhibited during the visit of the Women’s Multi-purpose empowerment centre in Melong, I suggested that it would be necessary to purchase a multiple purpose printer and accessories for exploitation of the computers.
This suggestion was validated because with these material, communication and networking with members of WOCOTOMADI will be facilitated, while the computers will be used for training teen mothers who are unemployed to learn how to manage a Cyber Cafe Business . The computers and printer facilitate exchanges with wocotomadi members in the USA and Cameroon.
It was also agreed that we should buy at least 20 (Twenty Chairs) for the centre. James Achanyi Fontem discharged the sum of CFA 150.000 (One Hundred and Fiftry Thousand and bought the printers and other accessories , waited for Mrs. Nyobe to send the rest of the money in her keeping for buying the chairs and it was never sent. This was brought to the attention of the Founder of WOCOTOMADI USA, Mme Julienne SIWE, who decided to salvage the situation by sending CFA 150.000 (One Hundred Fifty Thousand Frs CFA) through Western Union to Mrs. Elisabeth Tounzi at Bata Congo-Douala for collection. The extra CFA 50.000 (Fifity Thousand Frs CFA) was destined for translation of the reports of the celebration of the first International Day of African Kings in Cameroon.
OBSERVATION
The lawyer handed the sum of CFA 150.000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Frs CFA) to Prince James Achanyi Fontem and promised to send CFA 100.000 ( One Hudred Thousand Frs CFA) to Mrs Nyobe through Orange Money on Monday because our working session with him was on a Sunday and there was not enough money in his office.
Though Mrs Nyobe had declared that she is no more interested to continue with the project, I convinced her that the situation will improve gradually. For this reason, she used the opportunity to deposite a copy of her National identity Card for inclusuion in the forth coming executive bureau for WOCOTOMADI Cameroon.
It should be noted that since the meeting with the lawyer took place, most of the secretariat activities are realized at the office of Cameroon Link in Grand Hangard-Bonaberi- Douala City neighbourhood and circulated immediately each task is completed. This is bringing extra work load and expenses in secretariat materials like ink and internet charges. Subscription for one month high speed internet is CFA 10.000 (Ten Thousand Frs CFA).
I have advised the WOCOTOMADI administration that as an Internataional NGO, documents should not be shared on WhatsApp except inter-personal conversations . For confidential and security reasons, email addresses of key officials should be used for sharing information. I am making this recommendation as a Communication media expert and consultant to several international networking organizations in Malaysia, Canada and the United Kingdom.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKzKS4FBPQEcK1o_r9UBxEdPMGs4oWm2p7agAEpXQftS6tmHLZOOROJR3kQ6jMGW91LsTShWP0Lu9EXqow_ZUmtQBPo6v5VGH4F_ZC_6pFQDnRBKhtzwue_00-Ydmk11nlbP74-SVQPvo/s2592/SAM_1089.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKzKS4FBPQEcK1o_r9UBxEdPMGs4oWm2p7agAEpXQftS6tmHLZOOROJR3kQ6jMGW91LsTShWP0Lu9EXqow_ZUmtQBPo6v5VGH4F_ZC_6pFQDnRBKhtzwue_00-Ydmk11nlbP74-SVQPvo/s320/SAM_1089.JPG"/></a></div>
We were delighted to speak with the Founder of WOCOTOMADI, Mrs. Julienne SIWE during our meeting with the organisation’s notary. I was meeting Maitre Simo for the first time and he encouraged us to work under the guideline of transparency for greater SUCCESS.
For more the ten year of activities, click on the following links:
https://camlinknews.blogspot.com/2019/08/visit-of-multi-functional-centre-of.html
https://youtu.be/y991CX4mlhg
https://youtu.be/EjTr1brdjgM
https://youtu.be/btt8oRhs-gc
https://youtu.be/zbd1IUuv5Ok
https://youtu.be/ckHelQr5kzM
https://youtu.be/TrGf2I9ktzo
https://youtu.be/ScahqIDU6Xo
https://youtu.be/Uu_3X1VSYTE
https://youtu.be/ESOnE2QgaVE
https://youtu.be/wqsz7mjPrI8
https://youtu.be/leWWiNHJl80
<b></b>Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-15840306819252510502021-04-29T03:14:00.003-07:002021-04-29T11:39:36.855-07:00Alettia Ashunkeng Achanyi and Lionel Ebongue Celebrate Historic Wedding
<b>By James Achanyi Fontem, camlinknews<b></b></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNhtmuMClipFPvmq6wlDKaHBsgwgWNpsuUpCZ9JM6bENaRhvwmClxk0ZYdSJJ0SiYYE8G1AhmrquGbB4A9Up6YpC4wNY2Pz1aTTLhqkxQZgrHRDocdHvaOd6kxWbkxyCBwmaN3imM_thyphenhyphen/s1080/Alettia+signing+marriage+certificate+in+Buea+Council.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNhtmuMClipFPvmq6wlDKaHBsgwgWNpsuUpCZ9JM6bENaRhvwmClxk0ZYdSJJ0SiYYE8G1AhmrquGbB4A9Up6YpC4wNY2Pz1aTTLhqkxQZgrHRDocdHvaOd6kxWbkxyCBwmaN3imM_thyphenhyphen/s320/Alettia+signing+marriage+certificate+in+Buea+Council.jpg"/></a></div>Alettia Ashunkeng Achanyi and Lionel Ebongue Celebrated an extraordinary and Historic Wedding in Buea, south west region of Cameroon on the 24th April 2021 in the company of members of their families, friends and well wishers. Some of you will be asking why the event is described as extraordinary and historic. The first reason is the fact that the wedding was endorsed by Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church at Vatican City Rome, Italy for Alettia is a Catholic Christian and Lionel is an Evangelist. The second reason is the fact that Alettia comes from Lebialem Division of the South West region, while Lionel is from Moungo Division of Littoral Region of Cameroon.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzQhPL3xys6_yWsrlEDi0vnsf6D9tCulHe9-I89CmeOGn8rx0SYozdBEU1xLEVLZ7iVC7cLf4BZVRK617H-l9iJum56ByAK4laHqRkqjityY4YGYEtg4lNaj78nQg2ER3BGVL4s3cqTYu/s1080/Lionel+signing+marriage+certificate+in+Buea+Council.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzQhPL3xys6_yWsrlEDi0vnsf6D9tCulHe9-I89CmeOGn8rx0SYozdBEU1xLEVLZ7iVC7cLf4BZVRK617H-l9iJum56ByAK4laHqRkqjityY4YGYEtg4lNaj78nQg2ER3BGVL4s3cqTYu/s320/Lionel+signing+marriage+certificate+in+Buea+Council.jpg"/></a></div>
The event all started on the 23rd April 2021 when both families met in the evening for traditional blessings and to discover who is who in each family. The following day, all prepared themselves for the wedding ceremony proper in the Buea City Council and the chair was the first deputy Mayor who cautioned the persons present on the attitude to be adopted during the ceremony.
The Mayor described marriage as a Godly event. It takes place only once and it remains forever throughout life. Marriage is like a ROSE flower and this means that marriage is beautiful. This is an occasion where two persons, a man and a woman engage to sign a certificate before staying together. The event at the city council was to sign the marriage certificate by Alettia, Lionel and witnesses.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOB0koDna5mjPW42gonM6Vq5SMoDfGdNNWBy0pWoNJjESFHKOPbi5vIliZwOLyhxRk3OTWrANQK_stmuKuAxkw44xYXQJc42TCxeIVpIt2M4TTroHFLo0_Adz05KeyWbfWzYIcFECfrDJ/s1080/Alettia+exhibits+wedding+ring+after+signing+marriage+contract.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOB0koDna5mjPW42gonM6Vq5SMoDfGdNNWBy0pWoNJjESFHKOPbi5vIliZwOLyhxRk3OTWrANQK_stmuKuAxkw44xYXQJc42TCxeIVpIt2M4TTroHFLo0_Adz05KeyWbfWzYIcFECfrDJ/s320/Alettia+exhibits+wedding+ring+after+signing+marriage+contract.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IvZcPthwVGAs_bFA8FihGvev2in8Y6TLxxdvlJtVYjltY4v_ml5xLeNsP2KVBul0Xe6zug0W11j9Ilu1YX7jpupgffFMO3gHOdeJN7b6Dc_NTgZqSie9AGEoPpx8kEpdWn8mbpqER6Nd/s1080/Alettia+dancing+in+front+of+the+husband.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IvZcPthwVGAs_bFA8FihGvev2in8Y6TLxxdvlJtVYjltY4v_ml5xLeNsP2KVBul0Xe6zug0W11j9Ilu1YX7jpupgffFMO3gHOdeJN7b6Dc_NTgZqSie9AGEoPpx8kEpdWn8mbpqER6Nd/s320/Alettia+dancing+in+front+of+the+husband.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6s42x4GSfQ-if2TaMm2URpjY_NYm7U9HFMLBgIQj2DvRppJTKDwdi0u8aa7o0TZIKCcT90WZTSuJySp9Ti6CTl11SbOcBlB5G7N_B4V4WP0w2cbUesBfJS4rAe51ydxe2-BjLG2qEp3h/s1080/Aunti+Lucie+was+happily+present+at+the+occasion.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6s42x4GSfQ-if2TaMm2URpjY_NYm7U9HFMLBgIQj2DvRppJTKDwdi0u8aa7o0TZIKCcT90WZTSuJySp9Ti6CTl11SbOcBlB5G7N_B4V4WP0w2cbUesBfJS4rAe51ydxe2-BjLG2qEp3h/s320/Aunti+Lucie+was+happily+present+at+the+occasion.jpg"/></a></div>
The Mayor asked the couple to check each other before the engagement to avoid complains later on that they did not see what they expected before making the choice of the type of marriage (Monogamy or Polygamy), taking the oath of fidelity and signing the certificate. A marriage engagement is for better or for worse. Once the oath has been taken as the key, no one can unlock it.
Rings were bestowed on each other as token of LOVE.<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxmEMN3JV7kTACs0XcbXAReqf0OE3NyYK8PgQoMS2XInT8SrmHscohXpSLGTey12WqyfsMtfucSJTWCTNgpiw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz-t2f1iIRniCLveaPBtkHxZJjsbMbaNJTv0fat_x3qS-t5cyoARNQCydAsgObb2Tlsfj5VgUOPxd-LLqqGOw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>
From the Buea City Council, the families and couple went to St. Charles Parish where the couple was blessed by the Re. Father after reading the affirmation certicate signed by Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome, Italy. During he church session, the choral group chanted harmonious songs of praise in favour of the couple, Alettia and Lionel.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAq5Ch9XctsI_NqcKPh-nJs_yMv7ZIh8_zJw75lXK1S7h4jht72qGQrTPub2MuUuQOd6oV0vXLg8-0CQN8nWMe5kquRBA_0eNioNPXmds2z45pNukksihslp-Tdp0X8FNt7coX78mbEBFN/s1080/Mami+Julie+feeling+relieved.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAq5Ch9XctsI_NqcKPh-nJs_yMv7ZIh8_zJw75lXK1S7h4jht72qGQrTPub2MuUuQOd6oV0vXLg8-0CQN8nWMe5kquRBA_0eNioNPXmds2z45pNukksihslp-Tdp0X8FNt7coX78mbEBFN/s320/Mami+Julie+feeling+relieved.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWxpZN_dDkZMvmuY98ebu4J_v5B_U7sUeTJVYCnFGwFeOro1nt5H2JdUo1A322nti5MaWRXqeyw_w49hPSAvOR7sGySYeAyYJJAK5rRKreOvoTbuUWSlXiA4QRCClzdZ1eQhsvAbySJqQ/s640/Saturday+Blessings.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWxpZN_dDkZMvmuY98ebu4J_v5B_U7sUeTJVYCnFGwFeOro1nt5H2JdUo1A322nti5MaWRXqeyw_w49hPSAvOR7sGySYeAyYJJAK5rRKreOvoTbuUWSlXiA4QRCClzdZ1eQhsvAbySJqQ/s320/Saturday+Blessings.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtP9nOnoDHzqBIuzM7-a9oRC8Jmli8DeJH4AoGEr2BmAvNYRmLR412tejMO5H6hL8HqpM5xBUJ0zg9cz43K4ORHD_MPzbNadrUF4PPhDAtSghJrP2CDFlbtVPmzv25Pf2hF-KIy1E4dHhD/s1008/Lionel+-+Alettia+%2526+Mother+Julie.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="756" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtP9nOnoDHzqBIuzM7-a9oRC8Jmli8DeJH4AoGEr2BmAvNYRmLR412tejMO5H6hL8HqpM5xBUJ0zg9cz43K4ORHD_MPzbNadrUF4PPhDAtSghJrP2CDFlbtVPmzv25Pf2hF-KIy1E4dHhD/s320/Lionel+-+Alettia+%2526+Mother+Julie.jpg"/></a></div>
The Parish Priest said what God has put together, no one change it. It should be noted that the populations of the Lebialem and Moungo communities promote LOVE, PEACE and JUSTICE, while fighting against all forms of discrimination and tribalism. It is believed that Alettia and Lionel put this philosophy in their minds when taking the decision to engage in marriage.
The Catholic Priest said, in the scripture it is revealed that a man will leave his parents and look for a partner-woman, and both will become one. He added that Alettia and Lionel are blessed. He advised the couple to frame the endorsement certificate from Pope Francis and hang it in their house to remind them regularly of the engagement taken by them. Both of them will live and work in harmony for better or for worse. They should live together, pray together and play together always for their blessings to be abundant.Alettia and Lionel took the oath of Christian marriage to live together till death separates each of them at St. Charles Church before the Rev. Father blessed their marriage.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-yrjF85kAsV5DBDflIMVZdlLgaalwKRzfOv2iA5bZ8QbLMQHWEmA1q6fLAGdcp3UXfK0oHIyerof7-rrn_soso8VRoKUBrS0x9MwjrCKSwA3LIfLP6lWsdP19dTSjHgogAZ2g8VOw2p2/s1080/Couple+smiles+at+the+future.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-yrjF85kAsV5DBDflIMVZdlLgaalwKRzfOv2iA5bZ8QbLMQHWEmA1q6fLAGdcp3UXfK0oHIyerof7-rrn_soso8VRoKUBrS0x9MwjrCKSwA3LIfLP6lWsdP19dTSjHgogAZ2g8VOw2p2/s320/Couple+smiles+at+the+future.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg968srwQb-4fBJ_RdmuZByl8wlC_aYeCg3CuvOW-dC3qLm61R-4pQBK6PSm2tQdqOZ38iFAkAa6h9gBw_vfIaZh4cvi8h-vvLII7ZjUOpjDvAfke7yv8m4cy5Mut8uczf0tUjZXJVmXHjm/s1080/IMG-20210410-WA0034.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg968srwQb-4fBJ_RdmuZByl8wlC_aYeCg3CuvOW-dC3qLm61R-4pQBK6PSm2tQdqOZ38iFAkAa6h9gBw_vfIaZh4cvi8h-vvLII7ZjUOpjDvAfke7yv8m4cy5Mut8uczf0tUjZXJVmXHjm/s320/IMG-20210410-WA0034.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8dDfRXsXlM_ZSkB-7n9iq6UBM1OJDdaSu46PsVARHv5cKuzL1WFlZXOdhyphenhyphenp46iEfO4ypdQ3f2bxiDDlVKyxZb-kdFaKodZ0aff9h7Ea48fWQQXME_wv0fRLX1xpXDf7ujQCqnxfpRqCi/s1080/Luci+Achanyi-+Njupi+%2526+Annazia+at+reception+in+Buea+Mountain+Hotel.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8dDfRXsXlM_ZSkB-7n9iq6UBM1OJDdaSu46PsVARHv5cKuzL1WFlZXOdhyphenhyphenp46iEfO4ypdQ3f2bxiDDlVKyxZb-kdFaKodZ0aff9h7Ea48fWQQXME_wv0fRLX1xpXDf7ujQCqnxfpRqCi/s320/Luci+Achanyi-+Njupi+%2526+Annazia+at+reception+in+Buea+Mountain+Hotel.jpg"/></a></div>
Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-73162770923621173802021-04-14T10:33:00.002-07:002021-04-15T01:14:57.697-07:00Catholic Priestly Ordination 2021 Took Place in Buea, Cameroon<b></b>
<b>By James Achanyi-Fontem, caminknews</b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE7LHfCn4Dz0gK4cdRAC7Nu3zrGNAvS1_GgOiA7RoSxbXEsfINzNWEA_9PG1XDMmeGGnmuDIwUox9WlIxO-yOP2O3oCg1UzIbsFnvV0xt2DD7l6lP7bAmbqxZ29DHsQ8I2TwMGtwDFbpo/s1008/Group+photo+with+Bishop%252C+Rev+Stanley+Monet+%2526+Family.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1008" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE7LHfCn4Dz0gK4cdRAC7Nu3zrGNAvS1_GgOiA7RoSxbXEsfINzNWEA_9PG1XDMmeGGnmuDIwUox9WlIxO-yOP2O3oCg1UzIbsFnvV0xt2DD7l6lP7bAmbqxZ29DHsQ8I2TwMGtwDFbpo/s320/Group+photo+with+Bishop%252C+Rev+Stanley+Monet+%2526+Family.jpg"/></a></div>The Catholic Priestly Ordination 2021 Took Place in Buea on the 8th April with one of ours amongst the seven chosen for the occasion in the person of Rev, Stanley Monet Chilavert. Rev. Stanley Monet was born on February 18th, 1988 to the family of late Mr. Michael Beja and Mrs Emilia Ngwibeteh.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTvFnFHoxFbzE7a47yvlhHaTGwwwpIpcmJ9edpDfYo_rPyceeQcomchJiMb4hV5xpB0MB6njYoJqY2zLN-656dtJKYvj_XAjvC9SElKujYv8-VFDPyknFMg7C-lsa-U4uuJ8Oj2kNOSaI/s972/Rev.+Father+Stanley+Monet.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="648" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTvFnFHoxFbzE7a47yvlhHaTGwwwpIpcmJ9edpDfYo_rPyceeQcomchJiMb4hV5xpB0MB6njYoJqY2zLN-656dtJKYvj_XAjvC9SElKujYv8-VFDPyknFMg7C-lsa-U4uuJ8Oj2kNOSaI/s320/Rev.+Father+Stanley+Monet.jpg"/></a></div>
He is the last child in a family for seven and he received his primary education in Regina Pacis primary school in Small Soppo, where he obtained the First School LEAVING Certificat. From there, he was admitted in Government High School Bojongo where he obtained his GCE Ordinary Level and Advanced Level Certificates after studying from the year 2000 to 20007
He was admitted in the University of Buea in 2008 under the Faculty of Arts. During his stay in the university, he was very active and committed member of the St. Peter and Paul University Community, where his call to become priest started. On completion of his three years in the university, Bishop Immanuel Bushu Emeritus admitted him as a prospective seminarian of Bishop Rogan College (BIROCOL). Bishop Bushu was in control of the Diocese of Buea at that time. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrhaY_9SGI79Rfx7-cVk6SZwHLhmtYGd_gTP9ZjaIuZSvuj2_gnX2Ge2dQZeI7fUePYMIUrsrqA4d7NzKN4V2Z3dSThnZUPE-nXKi_XIiqcLDJ07NsHLYDsOWRuiyGR_9XttcvmbdKvfV/s1008/Rev.+Stanley+and+eldest+brother+Tanyi.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="756" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrhaY_9SGI79Rfx7-cVk6SZwHLhmtYGd_gTP9ZjaIuZSvuj2_gnX2Ge2dQZeI7fUePYMIUrsrqA4d7NzKN4V2Z3dSThnZUPE-nXKi_XIiqcLDJ07NsHLYDsOWRuiyGR_9XttcvmbdKvfV/s320/Rev.+Stanley+and+eldest+brother+Tanyi.jpg"/></a></div>
In 2013, he was moved to St. John Mary Vianney Spiritual Centre in Bafut, where he gained the opportunity to read philosophy for three years at the St. Thomas Aquinos Major Seminary in Bambui. At the end of his philophical studies, he was sent to St. Peter Apostolic Parish Mudeka where he spent one year of pastoral experience. During his stay in Mudeka, he taught philosophy and religion at the Government Bilingual High School before returning to STAMS in 2017 to begin theological studies
On completion, he was ordain as a deacon by Bishop Michael Bibi. Bishop Michael Bibi was at the time Apostolic Adminisrator of the Diocwse of Buea, While in the seminary, Rev. Stanley served as a receptionist, dormitory captain, information and Sancristan. In the area of sports, Rev. Stanley is good in Handball, volleyball and good hanball goalkeeping.
Other persons ordained on April 8th at the same time areRev. Solomomon Lyonga Ikundi, Rev. Mario Arrey Servinitinyi, Rev. Ikome Emile Mokonya,Rev, Joel Ngollo, Rev. Franklin Jua and Rev. Bernard Ebule.The Bishop of the Diocese of Buea, told them that they have become the dwelling place of God and they shall be his people, he shall be their Lord and God.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Fp3ksJZk4_KHwAbg_ADgF0lyOclJOK9eqSJN25-r3sVGkvOB8RdfZ93XVl6f8CROu3OTfieePRHaB6RhQyFzyuq6d2oLhELpKEuBTc8x0JhEGtXnMU1IjBC8VTynEeWuOdAoXIBBDTtC/s1080/Rev.+Stanley+Monet+%2528on+left0+and+Bishop+of+Bueau+Diocese.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="607" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Fp3ksJZk4_KHwAbg_ADgF0lyOclJOK9eqSJN25-r3sVGkvOB8RdfZ93XVl6f8CROu3OTfieePRHaB6RhQyFzyuq6d2oLhELpKEuBTc8x0JhEGtXnMU1IjBC8VTynEeWuOdAoXIBBDTtC/s320/Rev.+Stanley+Monet+%2528on+left0+and+Bishop+of+Bueau+Diocese.jpg"/></a></div>
After the entrance declaration, the Bishop told the population at the Cathdral where the ordination took place, that the Holy Spirit shall decend on the prists and make them whole. He prepared them to be ready to start their mission as they enter the house of Yaweh. In the house of Yaweh (God), the priests will give him the praise that is his due, as the alpha and Omega.
He described the ordained as priestly people, kingly peopleand Holy People that God has chosen for them to sing praises to the Lord. This introduction led all into the mass proper , where readings from the Holy Book were made to remind them of the tasks ahead of them as ordained priestss.. In effect, the priestly ordination 2021 day was made by the Lord.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxgz-aC_spZfF_kmPZ8RpxKoRH3QI3cSLuE9QoCFgBqMkZJ2nc5qJbKRzyBF4Qd_7s_ryd62GGf3m79qxWbfw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
The homely was on the promise of the elect, which said before they enter the order of the Priesthood, they had to declare before the people their intention to undertake the office with all their hearts.. This means,exercising the ministry of the word worthily and wisely, preaching the Gospel and teachingof the Catholic faith. The priest will pray without ceasing as they implore with God’s mercy upon the people entrusted to them in their different parishes.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmY7Z0q82zlwc6xbPMAHaE_MBp_15OhltsInL8fZ5RUjbAcRKjiTggr9kS4lgJ3x_mxojua5wSLorc7eIkaXLFd4Hpg20P5puabR0a0vfMc8QFn5xDnz65sU9U7JSKt62XSQcUu0pEMUP/s1008/Mami+Emilia+and+Pa+James+at+rodination+ceremony.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="756" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmY7Z0q82zlwc6xbPMAHaE_MBp_15OhltsInL8fZ5RUjbAcRKjiTggr9kS4lgJ3x_mxojua5wSLorc7eIkaXLFd4Hpg20P5puabR0a0vfMc8QFn5xDnz65sU9U7JSKt62XSQcUu0pEMUP/s320/Mami+Emilia+and+Pa+James+at+rodination+ceremony.jpg"/></a></div>
This was followed by thanks givingof amazing grace, bountiful grace, wonderful grace and miraculous grace.nEarth is the lord’s with everything in it, the World and all who live in it. In exchange they were offered Jesus. This is a little about how the marriage between the ordained priests and Jesus was arranged by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Buea.
The ordination ceremony by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Buea was followed by a grandiose party and Rev. Father Stanley Monet offered his first mass at Mutengene and Tole, where he was raised by the mother, Mami Emilia Ngwibeteh. Videoes of these events will be seen on You Tube and Face Book.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzIn6KLm9JqFyqP-H9JXnnc1-H-OGvDfUS_jipqJDOdKP7cVEqGMaghuFxuR8aUZECDfnRIvvzBwq9YkBrAPA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-84320412240440189002020-07-21T06:16:00.002-07:002021-04-15T01:01:32.565-07:00Combating Rumours and Misinformation on COVID 19<b>By James Achanyi Fontem, camlinknews<b></b></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexIa3_43TbY62LEj4eDpbf6II-zx65ApWxmEAer2EoCbMvzdA3V_FwZ0DMk4Yla7era5AWE2fgv9VFhyNMbRZzV8yUYPZkGza_w2B4iGBo5q28MA5zAyXaP1oKQxRI3KeLwIQqfDORC4v/s1600/Photo+of+James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexIa3_43TbY62LEj4eDpbf6II-zx65ApWxmEAer2EoCbMvzdA3V_FwZ0DMk4Yla7era5AWE2fgv9VFhyNMbRZzV8yUYPZkGza_w2B4iGBo5q28MA5zAyXaP1oKQxRI3KeLwIQqfDORC4v/s320/Photo+of+James.jpg" width="312" height="320" data-original-width="731" data-original-height="750" /></a></div>
The subject of stigma is a serious one, but how do we effectively communicate the fact that COVID-19 is not a guaranteed death sentence". In the first place, why even use the term "death sentence"? Although you cite a mortality rate of 1.8% we find this untenable. Several meta-studies from the countries that recorded covid19 cases earlier than Cameroon did show an infection fatality rate of 1.5% at most with many of them being under 1%.
Even so, when we have such firm data, this places covid19 as no more dangerous than a seasonal illness, which health administrations in all countries are no strangers to. The burden of disease from the usual set of infectious and opportunistic diseases (such as malaria, enteric fevers, respiratory tract diseases, tuberculosis etc), plus the rising number of non communicable diseases, is a much greater priority. What we suggest networks must do is counter the actual epidemic which is the broadcasting of a fear mindset
The CORE Group Polio Project is working to shape context-specific responses to growing cases of COVID-19 social stigma in Cameroon project areas. We are striving to identify, share and rapidly analyze how best to reduce stigma by drawing from our work in the areas of polio, measles, and zoonotic disease surveillance activities under Global Health Security.
“Addressing stigma is key to overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic."
The CORE Group Polio Project is based upon the concept that disease outbreaks are best identified and interrupted at the community level. We know that stigma based on fear and misinformation is contributing to the ongoing COVID-19 community transmission in many of our local communities. Like many of you reading this report, we need practical guidance to shape our response to the prevalence of COVID-19 social stigma. We are aiming to develop several simple, practical messages for field staff and community volunteers by leveraging the critical engagement of trusted persons.
We are guided by three basic questions: What does stigma look like? What are the root causes? What is the impact? From there, we have been attempting to determine what sort of risk communication and community engagement strategies or lessons learned from polio can be applied to curb stigma for COVID-19. What strategies need to be tweaked for COVID-19? What other approaches should we consider?
In Abo Health District, stigma driven by fear and misinformation is quickly emerging as the primary concern, while in other parts of Cameroon, stigma is the secondary challenge, followed by a low perception of risk.
According to health officials, “It is harder and harder to fight the pandemic. Cases are going up. Deaths are going up.” Most people are aware of COVID-19 but do not adhere to prevention measures such as social/physical distancing, hand washing hygiene or use of face masks. However, there is a pervasive fear of testing due to the possibility of a positive result. Individuals who test positive and share results with family and friends face the risk of being rejected and end up afraid and isolated. This fear of rejection leads to COVID-19 patients refusing to reveal contacts to avoid further discrimination. Quarantine means risk of job loss and loss of income. These behaviors result in harmful effects: individuals are not getting tested, hiding their illness, and not practicing healthy behaviours.
Abo Health District now faces a double-burden. Not only is there fear of the effects of quarantine on survival, but there is also a widespread belief that COVID-19 positivity equates to death. From observations in the field, there is a low awareness of the recovery rate. This misinformation is driving stigma. For one, we need to develop tools that explicitly communicate that the majority of COVID-19 cases are recovering in greater numbers than those dying from the disease. In June alone, the district reported 9 cases, with 3 dead and 6 recovered: How do we effectively communicate the fact that COVID-19 is not a guaranteed death sentence? How do we tap community knowledge to find solutions: can we enlist the support of those who have recovered (survivors) from COVID-19 to serve as sympathetic role models to expand the circle of influencers? How do we achieve the desired health impact by engaging community members, leaders, and groups who provide reliable and accurate information?
Abo Health District is in the midst of forming a Cameroon Link peace deal between the population and health officials on finding solutions to the current situation because there are many displaced persons within the communities.
In Cameroon as a whole, the need to address stigma is a “major, major, major issue,” reported by health officials. Low risk perception is presently driving the pandemic. A May 2020 risk perception survey from Bonaberi-Douala showed that more than half of respondents “believe COVID-19 is fake …” and adherence to physical distancing and use of face masks is low. There is a fear of testing due to stigmatization; those who test positive are hiding due to the fear of being ostracized. Based on lessons learned from polio, the engagement of traditional and religious leaders successfully countered the myths and misconceptions in polio high-risk areas.
We are leveraging the polio platform to address stigma in the low-literate rural communties. Drawing from the past successes with the engagement of traditional and religious leaders, Cameroon is now working with trusted and well-informed faith-based leaders to battled COVID-19. To address stigma, a mapping of critical stakeholders is ongoing to identifyCatholic schoolteachers, and church and mosque leaders. In Bonaberi, the engagement of critical leaders has won out over radio jingles to address misinformation. Community Health Workers (CHW) are conducting house to house visits, carrying with them IEC materials to share accurate information on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and how to seek help if sick. In addition to the CHW-trained community informants are part of the robust surveillance network which now helps to identify suspected COVID-19 cases in addition to HIV and tuberculosis cases.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy4kj9UaHgFA8PZ3UnCM-r8klzisWj_KsrsD6Drx6Fh5E2oUysaiaDUvC9IuQoe8igHbVS2HCPFzYydn2TOYA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Cameroon Link is working with Community Health Volunteers to reach high-risk nomadic dis^laced persons and pastoralists with information on COVID-19 risk and prevention measures. This vulnerable population, which moves continuously with its animals owing to their livelihoods and culture, is facing multiple sources of severe stigmatization, including from urban dwellers who believe they are responsible for driving the disease across borders and health districts. Along the rural borders, pastoralists are being denied access to grazing and watering sites due to fear of spread COVID-19; these restrictions can easily escalate into conflict. Furthermore, COVID-19 is fueling stigma and elevating fear and tension between internallydisplaced persons and host communities.
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Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-71880156426424385822020-07-17T08:16:00.000-07:002020-07-17T08:21:23.891-07:00Why are people not wearing COVID 19 masks<b>By James Achanyi Fontem, camlinknews<b></b></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPOgfbrBG6Xjw6U2Ia0Rrzq6xRu6T0tAru3c9b4o2rg9ryltJDkJGF8grcuevaNTzK9P0BBTagUzgViMjHUywqT_x8xMeZC7fTfiUHuRHsDpXnNEO3uDD61Cs-n_NH5Sb08TmZ7SMCRV0/s1600/Photo+of+James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPOgfbrBG6Xjw6U2Ia0Rrzq6xRu6T0tAru3c9b4o2rg9ryltJDkJGF8grcuevaNTzK9P0BBTagUzgViMjHUywqT_x8xMeZC7fTfiUHuRHsDpXnNEO3uDD61Cs-n_NH5Sb08TmZ7SMCRV0/s320/Photo+of+James.jpg" width="312" height="320" data-original-width="731" data-original-height="750" /></a></div>
How the Covid-19 pandemic unfolds in the coming months in Cameroon is our focus in this article. It has been noted that the behaviour of Cameroonians and not medicines or ventilators, that will determine the severity of its impact. This is the repeated message from public health experts, Cameroon’s Minister of public health and the Prime Minister, Chief Professor John Ngute.
Cameroon as a country and particularly the Ministry of Public Health, have done the important work of disseminating accurate information in the early stages of the pandemic. However, people are now at a point where they need a more complex approach if any hope of achieving the deeper and more sustained behaviour changes are required.
Cameroonians know what they need to do. Wear a mask in public, wash hands frequently and keep their distance. Getting people to adopt these behaviours seems as if it should be simple. Cameroon Link thinks that spending millions on catchy slogans and beautiful billboards, pamphlets, and public service announcements will work. If this is done frequently enough people will change their behaviour. But Unfortunately, the evidence shows that this is not the case. If it did, many would smoke, abuse alcohol or contract HIV/Aids.
Changing behaviours
Fortunately, there is a wealth of evidence gleaned from both local and international experience for what constitutes best practice in behaviour change campaigns. There are two major learnings from these experiences. First, Cameroon Link cannot assume to know why people do or do not act in a certain way. It is necessary to find out through a research process that asks them.
For example, Cameroon Link is developing a campaign called Fathers’ Issues to promote the active positive presence of men in the lives of children, something that research has proven to have a significant impact on children's wellbeing. There is a common assumption that many men aren't involved in their children's lives simply because they are dead dads who are uncaring and unconcerned.
Cameroon Link investigators painted a different picture which shows that many men were not involved because there is a pervasive attitude out there that if the government can't provide financially, they are not seen as proper fathers. This has affected substantially the messages that underpin ministry of public health campaigns.
By rooting our messaging in what we have learnt, and are addressing the real barriers to change, we ensure a greater probability of positive behaviour change. Cameroon Link founded in 1991, became globally acknowledged for changing the health behaviour of thousands of Cameroonian mothers through exclusive breastfeeding campaigns and radio dramas as well as print and other resources and interventions.
One Cameroon Link intervention was developed to promote breastfeeding, as it has been shown to be a key intervention in the promotion of child health. In the development of this series, research showed that women knew this was best for their baby. However, there were several obstacles at community and social level that prevented them from doing so.
The young mother newly arrived in an urban area often had no one to support her as they reported that breastfeeding is not easy and as such gave up. The working mother had to give up breastfeeding when she went back to work because there was nowhere for her to express or store her milk. So instead of Cameroon Link trying to persuade women that breastfeeding was the right thing to do, it focused on overcoming these barriers. Cameroon Link encouraged older mothers to support younger ones in their communities, and employers to support mothers on their return to work.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibv40sritrnMDXMsgLn9BlFmFbevMYDsobsKwpoUg4gqZXKuwWHMuGbRd5F4XdK32wuV3IMeKDWDUGHg31RszmYnXm_E8f0qrL-KB0k4vzuXSgj0w8DTLCLi2cz_sW2MJujNkJ7RtkrHUc/s1600/Travaux+des+ASc+en+groupe+-+DS+Abo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibv40sritrnMDXMsgLn9BlFmFbevMYDsobsKwpoUg4gqZXKuwWHMuGbRd5F4XdK32wuV3IMeKDWDUGHg31RszmYnXm_E8f0qrL-KB0k4vzuXSgj0w8DTLCLi2cz_sW2MJujNkJ7RtkrHUc/s320/Travaux+des+ASc+en+groupe+-+DS+Abo.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div>
It is important to note, that human behaviour is seldom linear, where message plus person equals behaviour. Humans are complex and thus theories that help us to understand these complexities can give actors a framework to direct their research into why we do or do not behave in a certain way. The findings then become the basis for messaging and interventions.
Individuals are not islands
There is a range of such theories - one that is particularly useful is the socio-ecological model which illustrates the interplay between the different factors that encourage or impede our behaviour.
The socio-ecological model
The basis for this theory is the understanding that as individuals we are not islands. Rather, we are social beings who are deeply influenced by the beliefs and actions of the people who make up our relationships and the broader community. What we do, we perceive as being "normal" behaviour. For example, if your friends and community believe it is 'normal' to beat a woman to discipline her, you will grow up believing the same thing. But not all these relationships have an equal influence on us.
There are some people who can have an outside influence on our behaviour, such as a reverend priest, bishop, pastor, a cool kid or even a gang leader. So, we may know that it is the right thing to wear a mask, but if it does not seem like the "normal" or "cool" thing to do, then we will be unlikely to do it. Some people like to be "abnormal" or "uncool". But there is another layer of influence that is particularly important to consider.
Our behaviour is not just influenced by the people around us - we are often more influenced by those that make up our 'virtual' community. These are the people we have never met who flicker across our screens and whose voices we hear on radio, such as sports personalities and political and religious leaders. Included in this group would be so-called social media influencers such as actresses and sports’ team captains. These people have a massive influence on the norms and values of our societies.
Did the United States of America, President Donald Trump not wearing a mask send an extraordinarily strong message to Americans that masks are not normal or necessary? This message was received around the world, though it was a negative message.
Even fictional characters can influence us. In the TV series we watch. How we behave is also influenced by societal factors like laws, infrastructure, economics, availability of supplies and so on, that either enable or act as an obstacle to the adoption of a behaviour. For instance, we may want to wash our hands often, but if we have no running water in my community or we can't afford sanitiser, then we can't do it. Not having running water is like promoting immunization against measles, but having no measles vaccine in the local clinic is also a problem.
Therefore, as we seek for instances to promote the wearing of masks, we should aim to find out why people are not wearing them. At an individual level, is it because of lack of knowledge? At a relational and community level, is it because people we look up to are not wearing them and they don't want to be "abnormal" or "uncool", or are there myths that make people scared to wear them? At a societal level, could it be that they cannot afford them? We would also seek to find out who their influencers are so that in programming we could seek to use them.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6feeq3iBTGpgo2xylqhYlKlwdU4iX19emJMj9A6klLXi0c8mHOVW1rrDaoljnLObCHjS2n7Rn1W2mA2hjs2RfaWMIHuaGrrUC_fMBD7xeazfqQhiZqzOHcNG_Och60ncNjUysCq7xsI2/s1600/Pratice+of+WASH+by+CHW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6feeq3iBTGpgo2xylqhYlKlwdU4iX19emJMj9A6klLXi0c8mHOVW1rrDaoljnLObCHjS2n7Rn1W2mA2hjs2RfaWMIHuaGrrUC_fMBD7xeazfqQhiZqzOHcNG_Och60ncNjUysCq7xsI2/s320/Pratice+of+WASH+by+CHW.jpg" width="260" height="320" data-original-width="1302" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
We need to know this to design campaigns that have any hope of success. It is not one size fits all. We also need to understand that enablers and barriers may vary. The reasons people in rural parts of Cameroon are not wearing masks may be quite different from urban Yaounde or Douala.
The only factor that will determine the future of this epidemic's impact on our lives and livelihoods will not be more intensive care unit beds, nurses, and doctors, but our behaviours. In the early stages of the epidemic, we did not need to consult with people; we simply needed to quickly get information to them and this seems to have been well done. But now, despite this information, many of us are not wearing masks and adopting the other preventive behaviours we need. The result is that infections are skyrocketing.
We need to urgently set up an ongoing research process that is underpinned by theory, that gives us insight into why we behave the way we do. This can be done quickly. This information should be the source of all of our messaging and programming. This does not need to delay our efforts, but merely strengthen them.
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Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-49483659715363851682020-07-12T11:08:00.000-07:002020-07-12T11:24:26.405-07:00What Are We Learning about COVID-19?<b>By James Achanyi Fontem, camlinknews</b>
<b>Many thanks to everyone who either submitted and/or followed our work and assisted us in sharing this article about “Best Strategies for combating COVID 19”.The purpose of our dialogues was peer-to-peer support for our work. There have been 10,000 interactions on social media posts, full email opens and other channels through 500 user sessions across our common field of work in Cameroon. All feedback on the added value of this dialogue to our work would be most welcome.<b><b><b></b></b></b></b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXT_aLixkR2XkHtFc9odHWKKbuXz4C3cVwcPR9OsfCo3vMVNm9vdnYY0XqoPM_D0tQeiS4pm7MRxZZl6WLI8duNFeIgf1sQASfEnwuGmTO8ZhBglc9kcMVwSt3U6-PIAxBLErDKW1m6whV/s1600/Photo+of+James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXT_aLixkR2XkHtFc9odHWKKbuXz4C3cVwcPR9OsfCo3vMVNm9vdnYY0XqoPM_D0tQeiS4pm7MRxZZl6WLI8duNFeIgf1sQASfEnwuGmTO8ZhBglc9kcMVwSt3U6-PIAxBLErDKW1m6whV/s320/Photo+of+James.jpg" width="312" height="320" data-original-width="731" data-original-height="750" /></a></div>
Now that so many in Cameroon are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic we would like to share updates on the question: “WHAT ARE WE LEARNING?”
COVID-19 poses some serious challenges for all who use information and engagement strategies to pursue their goals. So, what are we learning about what works best? Some starter questions could also include:
Which strategies seem to work?
Which new strategies do we need to adopt?
Which present strategies do we need to adapt?
What research is urgently required?
What are the main challenges on which you would welcome suggestions and other input?
What works for policy engagement on the overall country and global strategies that are being developed?
Other learning?
Whether you are working through community engagement, social change, entertainment-education, behavioural science and change, media development, freedom of expression, public interest media, social marketing, campaigns, message development, social media, social networks, social movement or any other strand of an information and engagement strategy , we humbly request you to share with us what you are learning in support of this struggle that continues.... Thanks in advance for engaging to share your learning in support of the work of others.
It has been noted that gender-responsive design, implementation and monitoring of humanitarian programmes rely heavily on consultations, community-based approaches and face-to-face interactions with women and men, which are severely impacted by COVID-19 containment measures.
As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 rises among the estimated 60,000 refugees in Cameroon residing in the overcrowded, makeshift camps in the Far North and East regions of Kousseri and Garoua Boulai health districts, humanitarian agencies must change the ways they deliver programmes in order to maintain physical distancing and adhere to strict hygiene protocols. By examining how these changes are impacting the ability to deliver gender-responsive and gender-sensitive programmes (GSP), Cameroon Link hopes in this report to inform humanitarian responders and enable them to consider strategies to mitigate any risks.
Cameroon Link is saying here that, since 2018, gender actors in in the border regions of the far north and east regions of Cameroon have been working to focus the humanitarian response to the specific needs of the most vulnerable and marginalised groups. They have, for example, promoted gender equality through gender mainstreaming and used advocacy and other approaches to support the empowerment of women and girls. However, with community engagement strategies needing adaptation to COVID-19 containment measures, and some key initiatives such as capacity-building around women's leadership being largely placed on hold, the concern is that gains achieved in the past years could be reversed.
To understand the situation, Cameroon Link has conducted key informant interviews from June 14-27 2020 with community radio stations in the regions working with the support of Farm Radio International Canada across local communities the humanitarian actors in the refugee settlement regions. The survey also examined publicly available secondary data and the analysis identified risks such as:
• Given the rapid pace of the COVID-19 response, GSP may not be prioritised because it is not considered life-saving, and protection issues may be overlooked during a time where protection needs are actually increasing - creating further discrimination, exploitation, and unequal access to services. While temperatures in the far north are very high, it is raining in the east region which is equatorial forest region.
• Limited access of gender and protection staff to the field due to COVID-19 restrictions entails risk that the response will be unable to quickly identify and respond to urgent gender and protection needs going forward.
• In addition to facing increased insecurity in the camps, Cameroon Link female volunteers report being stigmatised and harassed due to their association with international humanitarian workers, who are perceived as vectors of the disease. Furthermore, socially restrictive norms limit the access of women and girls to public spheres; women who do not strictly adhere to these norms often experience backlash. The resultant reduced presence of female staff and volunteers could diminish humanitarians' ability to equally serve women and men. In the strict social-religious context of Cameroon Link, it is not acceptable for women to substantially interact with men outside of their households, which is why the presence of female staff and volunteers is essential to delivering humanitarian assistance and services to women.
• COVID-19 has disrupted face-to-face interactions in safe places such as women friendly spaces (WFS), which have been a key way to reach those in need of safe gender-based violence (GBV) - the rates of which are elevated during lockdown - and child protection case management and referrals. Movement and access restrictions limit the ability of case managers to interview survivors privately and confidentially, and our staff report that women do not trust or feel comfortable using phones for such sensitive issues.
• Poor mobile and internet connections have made it difficult to inform the population of changes to services and of COVID-19 developments, as well as to ensure they have access to humanitarian services. This is particularly the case for women as well as children and the elderly, who are substantially less likely than men to have access to and/or time to use mobile communication.
• Essential awareness messages not specific to COVID-19, such as on GBV, sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and gender, often disseminated through distribution sites and service centres, may not be prioritised over public health messages. Moreover, public health messages are not always gender-responsive, resulting in information being either inaccessible to women and girls in format and content or not relevant to them.
• Providing essential information and ensuring continuous engagement and consultation with the affected population is challenging in the COVID-19 context, especially for women, girls, and other vulnerable populations with less access to public space. Specifically, the voices of women and other marginalized groups are likely to be underrepresented when relying solely on the remote data collection methods that are necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic.
That said, there are some potential benefits to emerge from this situation; for instance:
• The increased role of Cameroon Link volunteers in the response necessitated by restrictions on official humanitarian workers presents an opportunity to build on past efforts to empower refugee volunteers, especially women, to work within their own communities to identify problems, and solutions. Specifically, more than 20 volunteers across 4 camps and adjacent communities are conducting awareness sessions and outreach to the most vulnerable to disseminate life-saving messages. Despite social and cultural challenges, Cameroon Link women in particular have been self-mobilising, forming networks, and raising awareness on COVID-19 across all camps.
• Major changes in distributions, particularly door-to-door modalities, have some positive impacts on gender-sensitive programming, including: reducing the need for vulnerable households, particularly female-headed households, to travel to distribution points and carry heavy items; ensuring that distributed goods like menstrual hygiene management kits make it to households; and helping deliver life-saving messages door to door to those with less access to public spaces who would not normally receive such messages.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0Imyku362uGNz53geCov_vbhYdOL2FYtuQgnCeJL0i2wELbmdvM3lEI2rjvgkQhE2jXA0vk7543_KdXMJkY2j7jm8w0kqN6tj4O6aDG68EHAD7TQqh7W0BK2he5RVppVaM7nNH1-jN2q/s1600/Participants+with+COVID+19+Masks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0Imyku362uGNz53geCov_vbhYdOL2FYtuQgnCeJL0i2wELbmdvM3lEI2rjvgkQhE2jXA0vk7543_KdXMJkY2j7jm8w0kqN6tj4O6aDG68EHAD7TQqh7W0BK2he5RVppVaM7nNH1-jN2q/s320/Participants+with+COVID+19+Masks.jpg" width="320" height="290" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1450" /></a></div>
• Some gender experts highlighted that, as their normal protection programmes have been put on hold due to the restrictions, they have been able to shift their attention to increasing capacity to strengthen gender and protection mainstreaming in essential assistance and services such as isolation and treatment centres.
• Reportedly, funding for gender programming has not been negatively impacted in the short term by the COVID-19 pandemic, but this will not continue for long if Cameroon Link gets to fund unavailability.
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Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-28489424450187723332020-07-12T10:53:00.000-07:002020-07-12T11:02:42.436-07:00Role of Community Radio Stations in the Fight with COVID 19<b>By James Achanyi-Fontem, camlinknews</b>
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During lockdowns ordered as part of COVID-19 prevention, people are advised to remain at home. "Stay home and stay safe" is a very famous tagline in these days in Cameroon. During this period, people are using different information and communication technologies (ICTs) for giving and receiving information, and for education on many aspects. People are also using YouTube, social media such as WhatsApp, and many other sources on the internet.<b></b></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmjiS6r8p8xIJ8KnD30OxOIJaRlItDnsuO7XpHNndEwaBKQRP6vXt76vR5sayKLrbGj8cdrWbUQ6ou1HWJ7qwTGZNxw-KF3pbtUBSe8PVWAEYIlqo9V3X5v1-YOAYs7OdLncc1zK9_MjX/s1600/Photo+of+James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmjiS6r8p8xIJ8KnD30OxOIJaRlItDnsuO7XpHNndEwaBKQRP6vXt76vR5sayKLrbGj8cdrWbUQ6ou1HWJ7qwTGZNxw-KF3pbtUBSe8PVWAEYIlqo9V3X5v1-YOAYs7OdLncc1zK9_MjX/s320/Photo+of+James.jpg" width="312" height="320" data-original-width="731" data-original-height="750" /></a></div>
Community radio is a local and participatory medium of communication that provides information to the rural community in local languages. It is the radio by the people for the people. In Cameroon, half the population lives in rural areas and the majority of people are poor . It is often very difficult for them to access the internet. In this situation, community radio - a local and participatory type of radio - plays a very important role in disseminating information among the rural community. Rural people want valid and reliable information on COVID 19.
During this time, community radio plays a very important role in broadcasting information on Corona. Presently, over 100 community radio stations are operational in Cameroon. They broadcast different programmes on different issues, including what protections to take to protect oneself from Corona, such as social distancing information.
Community radio programmes on COVID 19
1. University community radio stations in Buea, Douala, Yaoundé, Ngaounder and Bafoussam are our focus in thi article. They are broadcasting programmes like "Break the Fake News Chain" to make the community aware about COVID 19.
2. These community radio stations are broadcasting programmes on health - with a special focus on mental health, ways to deal with alcohol withdrawal, spotlights on various initiatives by individuals Civil Society Organisations (CSO)and nNon-governmental organizations (NGOs), appeals on understanding facts and the importance of fighting misinformation, and community testimonies.
3. The radio stations are running programmes with titles in various national languages and English and French to reach all target groups within their communities. Broadcasters use different stories from the communities as testimonies to convey messages related to coronavirus. They also broadcast programmes on importance of social distancing, sanitizing, handwashing, etc.
4. Some of the radio stations are providing online information to the community; though these stations are operate with minimum staff. After live broadcasts, they shift all programmes to digital mode. Listeners are encouraged to develop 5-minute audio and upload them to YouTube and Facebook, while authorities also take follow-up measures on digital platforms.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQY8FXmBLpJbZR-ZXyj9Nfp3mxK8wlPyjZknLMy73u-Unk731hKRRTJKZLCPIg34H7l1rm_IetI_BvnkRJqgvP4SIqPb95cYrBdR03RdAKlmQGu2NL_lC44jhHUjXq9nY_guicDmx-mGIB/s1600/Studio+de+Radio+Medumba.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQY8FXmBLpJbZR-ZXyj9Nfp3mxK8wlPyjZknLMy73u-Unk731hKRRTJKZLCPIg34H7l1rm_IetI_BvnkRJqgvP4SIqPb95cYrBdR03RdAKlmQGu2NL_lC44jhHUjXq9nY_guicDmx-mGIB/s320/Studio+de+Radio+Medumba.JPG" width="320" height="180" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="900" /></a></div>
5. Most of the stations broadcast information received from the health district collectors, chief medical officers, and other government authorities, including entitlements of extended schemes. These stations broadcast the programme "24 / 24" to permit those who missed the broadcasts in the day to receive them at night time. Some of the programmes feature messages from an expert along with a thematic poem on frequent handwashing, access to healthcare services, physical distancing, importance of sports, and time for self-learning on a daily basis to spread positivity in people. FRI Canada provides information on the coronavirus outbreak through scripts which are discussed with folk songs. Some sessions are live and some are interactive. In the period of lockdown, visits to each and every village are not possible. In this case, community radio and information through the digital mode is very important to make the community aware of different issues.
6. There are also broadcasts on timings and locations of weekly markets days , adhering to rules on safe distance, and the status of local ATMs in local language. This radio stations work as fact checkers in the lockdown situation. The stations are playing a very important role in educating people about the outbreak of COVID-19.
7. Most community radio stations provide a voice to underprivileged groups of societyand shares information about the pandemic.
Thus, we can say that community radio plays a very important role in dissemination of need-based information among the rural community.
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Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-20539449258577735532020-07-10T03:59:00.000-07:002020-07-10T04:07:18.000-07:00COVID-19 Response in Emergency<b>Preparedness and Response in a Rapidly Changing Global Landscape<b></b></b>
<b>By James Achanyi Fontem, camlinknew</b>
<b>This COVID-19 Coordination Call is part of a weekly series organised by Cameroonlink which seeks to showcase some creative and innovative approaches being adopted in real time to prepare and respond to the many needs of partners working on the ground around COVID-19. The goal is to identify creative solutions so that those who are most vulnerable get the support and services they desrve.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnqDLtkSclyOvxenQ0H0BW3r3_eg4OfIAP7SvUn46W_IDJziyawpdeMBUK9KpZ9BxsYtceOWKlbnoRi1e9Xwdf1F9heyXhRcleb7wtdYaVcbDOhsGBxu48Ens4cATg-PwK80o82xhtsNU/s1600/Photo+of+James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnqDLtkSclyOvxenQ0H0BW3r3_eg4OfIAP7SvUn46W_IDJziyawpdeMBUK9KpZ9BxsYtceOWKlbnoRi1e9Xwdf1F9heyXhRcleb7wtdYaVcbDOhsGBxu48Ens4cATg-PwK80o82xhtsNU/s320/Photo+of+James.jpg" width="312" height="320" data-original-width="731" data-original-height="750" /></a></div>
In the call, Cameroon Link moderates a panel of presenters, followed by a related discussion based on questions submitted by the audience. At the end, we share some of the latest key resources that have been posted in the camlinknews
<b>Presentations for the coordination call includes:
Global Readiness for Major Disease Outbreak Response</b>
The Readiness initiative seeks to augment what already exists to build the capacity of Cicivl Society Organisation (CSO) and Non-governmental organisations (NGO) to respond to infectious disease outbreaks. Its 3 primary objectives are to:
(i) improve CSO and NGO coordination,
(ii) (ii) strengthen operational capacity, and
(iii) (iii) adapt and develop technical readiness.
Readiness is a partnership of organisations led by Save the Children. The presentation explains how Readiness was initiated to address gaps in the CSO and NGO response to disease outbreaks, and then outlines what they have done in relation to COVID-19, which includes: running COVID-19 readiness workshops across Cameroon, covering a range of issues including social and behaviour change communication and risk communication and community engagement to support national coordination mechanisms; and developing guidance documents. A number of lessons learned are shared that emerged from the workshops. They include the fact that there is a lack of community case management training among CBOs and NGOs and that COVID-19 guidelines are often removed from the lived reality of individuals.
<b>Evidence-based COVID-19 Response Training and Education</b>
Cameroon Link is a national health organisation that focuses on health system capacity building. They are on the frontlines of COVID-19 since November 2019, as they have a head office in Grand Hangar-Bonaberi, Douala City neighbourhood. This presentation describes Cameroon Link’s early response activities in several health districts of the country and how these were rolled out globally. One aspect of its response was the development of a readiness and response curriculum and training for community healthcare workers and frontline personnel. The presentation describes the training topics and how the training was designed to address the need to reach a lot of people remotely and in contexts where one size does not fit all. The model Cameroon Link developed involved, among other things, the train-the-trainers methodology with the support of IRESCO Cameroon, which allows for localisation of training and ownership. It also: made use of innovative delivery methods, which entailed work with partners to identify participants and coordinating the training designed to be flexible to allow content to be updated on an ongoing basis.
<b>COVID-19 - Community Perspectives Inform the Emergency Response</b>
This focuses on the work being done by Cameroon Link around community engagement, which includes misinformation management, establishing community feedback mechanisms, and creating stigma prevention messaging. Related to this, 6 lessons are shared that highlight the importance, among other things, of building trust, listening to the community, and keeping engagement dynamic and agile in a changing environment. The activity also offered 4 solutions guiding the work of Cameroon Link, especially around ABO Health District in the Littoral region of Cameroon. The project initiative emphasizes on including citizen listening and rumour tracking through surveys to inform community engagement and response, as well as building trust by working with key influencers. With the need to move away from face-to-face interaction, quoting a few examples of how Cameroon Link currently engages with communities and discusses, such as the use of community radio national network and hotlines. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj466uOTobNFT5lYhXL7VpGt0bcpG__tKCvHFAucKT8VL0GaTtMmVJoUZqWvOoOv_bzSZLg9dR4H1wXBc7y6MJsBsd8rsQiz4vR046Z1QXIq0YnKK-sq79__8TAfqh9YPOwzzUAtv7GxgSz/s1600/Fin+de+la+formation+des+ASC+Abo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj466uOTobNFT5lYhXL7VpGt0bcpG__tKCvHFAucKT8VL0GaTtMmVJoUZqWvOoOv_bzSZLg9dR4H1wXBc7y6MJsBsd8rsQiz4vR046Z1QXIq0YnKK-sq79__8TAfqh9YPOwzzUAtv7GxgSz/s320/Fin+de+la+formation+des+ASC+Abo.jpg" width="320" height="201" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1004" /></a></div>
<b>Pioneering Local Manufacturing of prevention kits for Better Aid</b>
Cameroon Link looks at the work of Field Readiness, an organisation that seeks to address the issue of emergency equipment supply chains and the fact that 70-90% of aid is spent on logistics, as well as the fact that importing equipment from other countries causes unnecessary delays. Through 3D design, it has been able to move manufacturing closer to where items are required. The impacts are discussed, which include cost reduction and support to livelihoods and local business. A number of examples are offered, such as a simple umbilical cord clip and buckets for use in humanitarian crisis situations. In relation to COVID-19. Cameroon Link has activated the local manufacture of personal protective equipment like masks and health and hygiene equipment like buckets and soap. Here, people who have been trained in digital design and manufacturing are making a range of items. They are being supported by technical teams who test the designs before they go into larger production.
From June 15, 2020, Cameroon Link began a series of weekly calls of community radio stations with the support of Farm Radio International Canada to convene members and partners to join the network and discuss their institutional positions around a range of topics related to COVID-19 in an effort to coordinate and support the national pandemic response in Cameroon. During each call, people sign up the Farm Radio International partnership agreement for discussion on opportunities and ask questions or share inputs. These discussions are included in the recording sheets of Farm Radio Intenational Canada as the key supporter of Cameroon Link initiatives on COVID 19.
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Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-40483946976234657202020-07-08T00:29:00.000-07:002020-07-08T00:31:36.276-07:00COVID-19 and Community Ownership in Cameroon<b>By James Achanyi Fontem, camlinknews</b>
<b>It has been noted that a major problem of disease management and research, especially diseases that are sporadic, fatal and viral, is the lack of people-inclusive and empowerment strategies. In Cameroon, communities are basically beneficiaries of a hands-out process rather than a hands-on outcome. This is the case of the alarmist COVID-19 pandemic.</b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkeTpdiImu9jKHDBJ9UCqE4tFR_fXj4X_96leWF0LwvtgYvggy9zxLT4J01_Wf0gB5ZZefTzaw0WQjFV59mWyGe1MFPpbixJcdE_g-g2dW03hW-loPaRdBhPyKcf2yGssLkT80H-yXiIG/s1600/James+during+OSDV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkeTpdiImu9jKHDBJ9UCqE4tFR_fXj4X_96leWF0LwvtgYvggy9zxLT4J01_Wf0gB5ZZefTzaw0WQjFV59mWyGe1MFPpbixJcdE_g-g2dW03hW-loPaRdBhPyKcf2yGssLkT80H-yXiIG/s320/James+during+OSDV.jpg" width="320" height="269" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1344" /></a></div>
Such a top-down approach has sometimes left the mitigating measures of COVID-19 only in the hands of government, public officials, and elites’ club. This disempowers the main target groups in local communities from a domesticating, indigenous and home-grown discourse. While this is universally understood as a legitimate responsibility of government who should be accountable and responsible to the welfare of citizens, the act now has a paradigm shift from public grandstanding to populist endowment. Strategies like the use of community radio, creation of local task forces, promotion of grassroots distributive economy and enhancement of a proximate, traditional health response stand out visibly.
<b>Community radio</b>
The messaging on COVID-19 has been limited to two official languages, English and French, yet there is a large community that prefers the message in their Lingua Franca which is Pidgin English or the indigenous national languages. Travellers have noted that the national language changes for every 50 to 75 kms done. Most of the national languages are quite different with different alphabets and tones. This explains why the existence of community radios in hinterlands help to communicate the messages of COVID-19 to the local communities easier and better. Community radio stations reaches out to the largest community using the common language of the rural community. It has persuasive potentials in matters of opinion and belief, because it is independent and not commercial. It has the rare capacity to promote the sharing of information with the potential for immediate feedback. It has geographical or territorial competence broadcasting to a "homogenous public".
Community inclusion
Community inclusion should focus on creating a COVID-19 task force in the communities. Task forces are local authority's platform for information sharing with the involvement of traditional, religious authorities, women's networks and women's organizations, youth leaders and local Civil Society Organisations and Non-governmental organizations (NGO) in the fight against COVID-19. Also, most communities are filled with village meetings that hold weekly or monthly. There are also other specialized meeting groups for women, men, youths, church, and professionals onlywhich the community members can use as conversation mediums to enhance and disseminate most of what is broadcast in the community radios. Other traditional communication agencies include chiefdoms, quarter heads, town criers, placards etc.
<b>Community economy</b>
The production and dissemination of anti COVID-19 kits like face masks, hand sanitisers as well as the purchase of hand washing containers and soaps can be done at the community level rather than have them ferried from urban centres. This will help in bolstering grassroots distributive economy and creating a shared robust wealth at the bottom of the economic pyramid.
<b>Community reconciliation</b>
The Anglophone regions have been in a protracted crisis that has affected their respective health systems, making them vulnerable and susceptible to a pandemic such as COVID-19. Indeed before COVID-19, there was COFID-16. COFID-16 stands for the Conflict Over Federalism, Independence or Decentralisation that attained a manifest crisis in 2016. Can COVID-19 open windows for deeper dialogue and structural justice the way it did in Asia (Island of Indonesia) in the province of Aceh in December 2004 when it was rocked by a tsunami? In its wake and devastation of this tsunami, the warring parties in Aceh realised the senselessness of fighting amidst such a calamity. Within 8 months, both separatist rebels and the government signed a peace agreement in which the insurgent groups renounced their claim to a separate state and in exchange Indonesia agreed to offer a full-fledged special autonomy or special status to the Aceh region. So can COVID-19 trigger a permanent scope for and solution to COFID-16?
<b>Community vaccine</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZcAzZb4jDyYGuBYpq3EWKlUP4JAxGF0iYLQssbY83osG2QCp5zJw64z_fz5b6q4MTtQH6lINzV_IIduXCobI7yisEtivQ31mElOQpn6wknnqPiycnJNjBa6NHkcgh63vngNWb3SzCJo4/s1600/Practice+of+WASH+in+Abo+District.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZcAzZb4jDyYGuBYpq3EWKlUP4JAxGF0iYLQssbY83osG2QCp5zJw64z_fz5b6q4MTtQH6lINzV_IIduXCobI7yisEtivQ31mElOQpn6wknnqPiycnJNjBa6NHkcgh63vngNWb3SzCJo4/s320/Practice+of+WASH+in+Abo+District.jpg" width="231" height="320" data-original-width="1156" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
A vaccine is a substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases. We are aware that America, Asia and European countries are in the process of manufacturing a conventional vaccine against COVID-19. This however has not stopped local communities from relying on their herbal vaccine and nutritional vaccine. The Archbishop of St. Peter end Paul Diocese in Douala, Archbishop Kleda's and Dr. Fru's highly mediatised herbal vaccines against COVID-19 are products from the artemisia plant and other herbs locally grown in Cameroon’s backyards. Prof. Julius Oben has just carried out research on the potential of "achu" soup (Star Yellow) in managing the spread of COVID-19. Prof. Oben's argument is that the dietary habits of a people determine the bacteria they host, as well as the functioning of their immune system and ability to manage certain infections. No one doubts the health value of most of Cameroon’s local diets.
<b>Conclusion</b>
The fight against COVID-19 should leave no one behind and no response ignored.
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Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-9027365043207822812020-07-06T03:25:00.001-07:002020-07-06T03:31:10.509-07:00People left behind in decision-making on COVID 19<b>Best Strategies and What We Are Learning</b>
<b>By James Achanyi Fontem, camlinknews</b>
<b>As COVID-19 infiltrates the physical, mental, social, economic and geographical landscapes we all inhabit, citizens around Cameroon are forced to obey new national laws and policies on social isolation, lockdowns, and movement restrictions.<b></b></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0q6ngVnzUGMwAwVbwwf0yqA9nwElVxt6B0HdruJLVV6_-vP-3ppQlc1Sfbc9V1fRNZebonDvbjt7sZviorFzTcRv8R9SAJjPCGMZrBcBjjvWnZvAzUUC4QJzgZYosO1fwSdkaaIyS2zH-/s1600/Photo+of+James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0q6ngVnzUGMwAwVbwwf0yqA9nwElVxt6B0HdruJLVV6_-vP-3ppQlc1Sfbc9V1fRNZebonDvbjt7sZviorFzTcRv8R9SAJjPCGMZrBcBjjvWnZvAzUUC4QJzgZYosO1fwSdkaaIyS2zH-/s320/Photo+of+James.jpg" width="312" height="320" data-original-width="731" data-original-height="750" /></a></div>
For some groups of particularly vulnerable people - the elderly, disabled, those suffering from physical and mental ill-health or those at risk of violence and abuse - the restrictive measures have a significant and negative effect. These people’s health and wellbeing, in all senses, are being corroded. In some cases, people are in extremely threatening and deadly situations.
So who is making these decisions on isolation and lockdowns? How do their judgments take into consideration the wider impact on the population and the secondary effects of these restrictions, especially on vulnerable people? We, a group of colleagues working on national health coverage, decided to do a rapid analysis of 6 Community COVID-19 Taskforces to identify their composition and investigate their decision-making processes and what we found out was shocking.
<b>PERSPECTIVE</b>
Across the full spectrum of Development issues, and the full range of communication, public engagement and media strategies, ill-founded rumours and misinformation are a major problem. Using COVID-19 as a very current example: How can we best respond? Which strategies could be adopted? Drawing from knowledge shared across national platforms, we are seeking your critique and comment on the learning, analysis and proposed strategies that follow.
<b>THE CHALLENGE</b>
COVID-19 is highly fertile ground for misinformation and rumours, whether accidental and unintended or deliberate and malicious. We all need help to make sense of the mass of information that is being blasted at every one of us.
COVID-19 came upon us quickly and unexpectedly. There was no built-up body of knowledge. The reputable information about COVID-19 kept changing and keeps evolving on some vitally important matters – for example:
• Can people transmit it when asymptomatic?
• If yes, what are the levels of asymptomatic infection?
• How long can the virus survive on surfaces?
• What effect does the virus have on children and adolescents?
• What is the nature and trend of the epidemiological patterns?
• What is the effectiveness of already-approved drugs for other health issues?
• How long before we get a vaccine?
• Can people who have had COVID-19 be re-infected?
These are all fertile grounds for rumours and misinformation. The overall disease control strategies adopted make a big difference in the receptiveness of populations to rumours and misinformation.
At the strategic level, those strategies will need to ensure:
• The accuracy, reliability and consistency of the information being provided;
• The credibility and standing of the people delivering that information; and
• The resonance with the population - are they engaged?
If one or all of these elements are not in place, then the possibility of rumours and misinformation gaining hold and spreading is enhanced. The nearly pervasive presence of basic and smart phones, social networks and WhatsApp groups (or the equivalent) helps provide fuel for rumours and misinformation. Everyone can be an instant news and information machine with reach way beyond any numerical, temporal, geographical, fact-checking or editing constraints. Accuracy, credibility and resonance are vital.
In relation to specific actions that are being developed for an effective response to COVID-19, if there is a major gap between the nature of the action encouraged and the possibility for implementation by people and communities, there is further fertile ground for the amplification of disruptive rumours and misinformation. These global recommendations include actions such as: maintain a 6-foot distance, wash hands with soap and water multiple times per day, wear a mask, close down your businesses, stay at home, and cancel all events that normally gather people in large groups such as weddings and funerals. These and other strategies appear to be vitally important for effective COVID-19 action. But in order to avoid creating fertile territory for the strengthening of rumours and misinformation, they will need to be introduced and implemented relative to the conditions in Cameroon as a whole and each community.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMu2wbFFFSRUm-xJyu-tSZhzw1-ZfJmZEyNqm9i2dWjsBCACkfPK5Fwxcolctj0xNiKsdizrXsUqKWIhUBbVCsnL8tU6_9z3AkL3SS5vmmrqHZTBAT0NDA08jZgUd_EVovyAWNRep8lZTb/s1600/Practice+of+WASH+in+Mundani+Abo+District.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMu2wbFFFSRUm-xJyu-tSZhzw1-ZfJmZEyNqm9i2dWjsBCACkfPK5Fwxcolctj0xNiKsdizrXsUqKWIhUBbVCsnL8tU6_9z3AkL3SS5vmmrqHZTBAT0NDA08jZgUd_EVovyAWNRep8lZTb/s320/Practice+of+WASH+in+Mundani+Abo+District.jpg" width="270" height="320" data-original-width="1324" data-original-height="1572" /></a></div>
There seems to be a continuing dynamic that makes matters worse for effective action and better for rumours and misinformation on challenges posed by COVID-19. What is a fact? What is accurate information? In relation to COVID-19, the trend in many countries is to mix facts and accurate information with opinion, wishes and ideological preferences, and then to present that mix as the truth. In that context, rumours and misinformation flourish. This is an important challenge to confront for effective action on Development priorities such as COVID-19.
As with all Development issues, engagement, analysis and action that take into account and work to the gender, local voices, over 100 minority languages, socio-economic and other perspectives, are vitally important as both matters of principle and for effectiveness. They underpin all that follows.
<b>STRATEGIES - What should we do?</b>
Below are six key points from the learning to date shared through national platforms on how to handle the challenge of misinformation and rumours.
A. Go to people – do not expect them to come to you:
Premise: Within communities or online, everyone is part of a network. Those networks inter-relate, so there is significant scale.
Pointers:
1. Whether in person or online, find ways to identify the most popular and prevalent networks and engage in those spaces.
2. Do not create your own platform and space in the expectation that people will come to you in significant numbers.
3. Find ways to identify the most popular and prevalent networks and engage in those spaces. The people within those networks are often the most credible for others in the network. And that credibility is strengthened by their "ownership" of their own platforms.
4. Negotiate access into fora such as local community meetings, popular social media networks, coalitions of women's groups, journalists' networks, local government alliances, the arts/music community, local and national radio presenters and producers, popular entertainment shows, etc. It should be noted that in each context, these will be different.
B. Combine scientific evidence with storytelling, especially through the voices of people directly affected:
Premise: Communications either responding to actual misinformation or getting out front of potential rumours and misinformation need to resonate. Facts alone are rarely sufficient. Most people are attracted to and engage with storytelling.
Pointers:
1. Recognise the fact that stories resonate.
2. Ensure that the voices and stories of people who have experienced or are at risk of COVID-19 are at the forefront of any communication strategy.
3. Identify and partner with the main storytelling facilitators in your context - from radio and TV dramas to local community "story-tellers".
4. Explore and test which stories are most compelling - the ones that resonate strongest across populations.
5. Have local people tell their own stories in their own ways - authenticity is vitally important.
C. Identify and name the rumour and misinformation "source" and motivation:
Premise: Most of us have no idea about the sources that initiate, feed or amplify specific rumours and misinformation in our local and national contexts. Therefore, it is difficult to make informed judgments related to accuracy and credibility.
<b>Pointers:</b>
1. Support the acquiring of expanded media literacy skills.
2. Do not assume that people will know the rumour/misinformation sources and their motivations.
3. Identify and "name" the sources of rumours and misinformation and/or those escalating the presence of the rumours and misinformation.
4. Understand and shine a light on the possible motivations of the communicator (e.g., money, politics, personal ambition, personal anecdotal experiences, and ideology) of the rumour or misinformation in a manner that can help to undermine and neutralise its potency.
D. Undertake two-way communication that responds to the public's concerns as a conversation:
Premise: As outlined within "The Challenges" above, there is a lot we do not know and are still learning about COVID-19. The facts can change and are changing.
<b>Pointers:</b>
1. Be aware that, in this context as with many other Development issues, the value of traditional message-driven communications is severely weakened; there are just too many questions.
2. Initiate and facilitate population-level conversations, whether in digital or other environments.
3. Use those conversations to engage with people on their questions and concerns.
4. Ensure there are participants in those conversations who are viewed as credible.
5. Check or question the sources of information shared in the conversations, being aware that deliberate misinformation is sometimes disguised as an official communication from a reputable source.
6. Do not be didactic and all-knowing.
7. Avoid political and ideological affiliation in anything that is being communicated.
8. Allocate resources to establish and facilitate those conversations.
E. Get your own facts straight!
Premise: Nothing undermines an anti-rumour and anti-misinformation strategy more than getting the facts and information that are the base of that strategy wrong.
<b>Pointers:</b>
1. Get your sources right.
2. Get your facts right.
3. Verify images and videos.
4. Get maps right.
5. Do not get the basics wrong.
6. Be very transparent about what is NOT known about COVID-19.
7. Remember that humility can go a long way in increasing the trust needed to counter rumours and misinformation.
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Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-76220668838968542822020-07-06T03:19:00.000-07:002020-07-06T03:21:18.731-07:00Working with and for Young People to fight COVID-19<b>By James Achanyi Fontem, camlinknews</b>
<b>Young people, seriously affected by COVID-19 are part of the global response in Cameroon</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8AgQAJyB3ql8QyVMD8oUc0-xE7ZngutGhO5z-BquvtE94_XvRhEVVKneXZueM6rx47glUv1TQMeJhICN2hTDOlhz1yPQPcTH7Tcj1uOoUxd_LY1V9yLne2mNhWkgGVsGrhTwMKOkVDF8/s1600/Photo+of+James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8AgQAJyB3ql8QyVMD8oUc0-xE7ZngutGhO5z-BquvtE94_XvRhEVVKneXZueM6rx47glUv1TQMeJhICN2hTDOlhz1yPQPcTH7Tcj1uOoUxd_LY1V9yLne2mNhWkgGVsGrhTwMKOkVDF8/s320/Photo+of+James.jpg" width="312" height="320" data-original-width="731" data-original-height="750" /></a></div>
This guidance article from Cameroon Link is meant to assist humanitarian actors, youth-led organisations, and young people across sectors, working at local community and health district levels, in their response to the new coronavirus pandemic affected. It begins diagnostically, exploring the impacts of COVID-19 on young people. It then proposes a series of actions that practitioners and young people can take to ensure that COVID-19 preparedness, response plans, and actions are youth-inclusive and youth-focused - with and for young people.
As detailed in the first part of a report, the global crisis has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities and inequalities experienced by young people, all further amplified in humanitarian contexts where fragility, conflict, and emergencies have undermined institutional capacity and limited access to services. Impacts are outlined in the areas of health, safety and protection, finances, and civic space and participation. To name just a few examples here:
• Many young people do not have adequate levels of health literacy to enable them to gain access to, understand, and use information in ways that protect their health and well-being. Health literacy includes the timely recognition of the need for health or other services, the ability to seek advice and care, the ability to navigate complicated health systems, and the skills to critically assess health-related information concerning and detecting misleading or inaccurate online information. There is also the lack of life-saving information in accessible formats like videos with closed captioning and sign language. This puts young people with disabilities at higher risk.
• In the midst of the large-scale interruption of learning, including non-formal and informal learning, due to school closures around the country, large numbers of young people do not have regular and affordable internet access and often fall behind as learning and participation shift to online platforms.
• The government of Cameroon is invoking executive powers and calling for measures such as lockdowns, quarantines, and increased surveillance in response to COVID-19. In the absence of sunset provisions, while civic space contract freedom of assembly, privacy, and expression is negatively affected and silencing young people's calls for change. On the other hand, these restrictions leave young peacebuilders and human rights or environmental defenders less protected against attacks and threats.
It has been noted however that, in spite of the multiple impacts of COVID-19, many adolescents and youth have mobilised to respond to the crisis. Young people disseminate accurate information on COVID-19 in some communities, tackling myths and stigma, policing fake news, and supporting information-sharing programmes on risk reduction, community preparedness, and response efforts. Young people can be at the forefront of finding new ways to communicate with their governments, mass media, medical services, and their communities through channels such as the radio, WhatsApp, text message, social media, and videoconferencing platforms. Young people can also help mitigate the impact and consequences of the crisis in the longer term, including by engaging around issues such as promoting social cohesion and countering hate speech, xenophobia, human rights violations, and violence, and by building strong and inclusive initiatives. Through social media, they are finding ways to remotely check on, and support, others' mental health.
We recommend stake-holder to structure activities with five (5) key actions:
1. Services:
o Health: Ensure that COVID-19 response plans are sensitive to adolescent- and youth-specific healthcare needs, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH), mental health, and psycho-social support. This will ensure that healthcare providers, support staff, and community workers respect, protect, and fulfill adolescents' and young people's rights to information, privacy, confidentiality, and non-discrimination in a non-judgmental and respectful manner. Additional safeguards are needed to ensure that confidentiality is not compromised in situations of restricted mobility.
o Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH): This ensure that young people have access to a water supply for drinking and personal hygiene, sanitation services, handwashing facilities with soap, and menstrual health management (MHM) supplies. This may include supporting youth networks and young people to lead and engage in hygiene promotion activities to encourage handwashing with soap and other behaviours to prevent the spread of infection.
o Education: Stake-holder should support continued learning for young people, including migrants, refugees, and displaced young people. New methods, such as remote coaching or mentoring, is needed to be designed that cover life skills, comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), and theoretical content, to keep young people engaged until they return to school. Educators should be trained in online safety and behaviour.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08hOtFSWYA_GWjmoRWr6Q-aN6A-YN9Y_wvy5OHP7TyvKYBJKaQCIU_968hu1RqjW3sAgYC8FngRJKTE3q0EJQXdCcodOtUPduTZU335FCv2RQa2y_OnGfWY2O8Lcv1bhkLyCEPEFptQfq/s1600/Christine+exhibits+technique+of+WASH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08hOtFSWYA_GWjmoRWr6Q-aN6A-YN9Y_wvy5OHP7TyvKYBJKaQCIU_968hu1RqjW3sAgYC8FngRJKTE3q0EJQXdCcodOtUPduTZU335FCv2RQa2y_OnGfWY2O8Lcv1bhkLyCEPEFptQfq/s320/Christine+exhibits+technique+of+WASH.jpg" width="309" height="320" data-original-width="1543" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
o Protection: We should ensure the protection of young people in COVID-19 prevention and mitigation measures, coordinate closely with adolescent SRH actors, and ensure that practitioners are trained in youth-friendly communication techniques and basic response to gender-based violence (GBV), along with issues related to adolescent girls, such as child marriage. Promoting information sharing with and by young people on available protection and care services through hotlines, referral pathways, etc. Livelihoods, cash, and markets: It is important to train young people to cope with the financial impact they are likely to experience as a result of the pandemic, and mentor them.
2. Participation:
o Stake-holders should maintain connections with young people and youth organisations in the networks, considering solutions that do not accrue costs related to data and/or making sure content is produced in a low-resolution format, while also considering the relative sensitivity of various platforms to hacking, trolling, or other types of online abuse.
o Encourage inclusive information-sharing that is accessible online and offline, considering barriers to access that young people living with disabilities may face.
o Actively engage young people in responses to COVID-19 as health workers, advocates, volunteers, scientists, social entrepreneurs, and innovators.
o Engage young people, including the most marginalised, in assessing the impact of COVID-19 on their communities and in monitoring and evaluating COVID-19 responses.
o Tackle the spread of inaccurate information, debunk myths, and confront stigma by linking youth leaders and youth-led organisations to the media to amplify their voices and better address fake news and stigma, training them to give good interviews.
o Support access to youth-friendly content, and work with young people to develop content by collaborating with artists, social media influencers, or other figures popular among young people to spread reliable information in creative ways.
o Apply the "do no harm" approach, and ensure safe and ethical participation of young people at all times.
3. Capacity:
o Stake-holders should build the capacity of, and support, youth-led organizations, particularly those engaging marginalised youth, including young refugees and internally displaced young people living in informal urban settlements and slums to: engage in COVID-19 response coordination with other humanitarian actors, access funding, and design and deliver programmes. Pull together capacity-building resources and deliver them remotely, including possibly using local radio/flyers and low-resolution content. Ensure the following topics are covered in capacity-building materials:
Effective communication skills and basic information on human, refugee, and migrant rights as they relate to the ongoing pandemic;
How to counter common misconceptions, rumours, and myths spread offline and online, and how to combat xenophobia, stigma, and discrimination associated with COVID-19; and
How to be a responsible online citizen, including the basics of online safety and incident-reporting pathways.
o Build the capacity of governments, United Nations agencies, and civil society organisations (CSOs) leading response and coordination efforts for the meaningful engagement of youth.
4. Resources:
o The government and international organizations should fund the COVID-19 mitigation initiatives of youth-led organisations, including young women's collectives, and ensure that funding streams are reliable, transparent, sustained, and flexible.
o Advocate for the inclusion of young people in coordination mechanisms where funding decisions are made.
o Co-design programmes and proposals with adolescent and youth groups and, where possible, include a budget for their projects in agency budgets.
5. Data:
o It is important to generate and share data disaggregated by age, sex, and disability especially on who is using health services, accessing communication materials, participating in learning activities, and asking for and receiving GBV support.
o Support adolescent- and youth-led and community-driven monitoring and accountability of COVID-19 responses by collecting, collating, and disseminating data on positive actions being taken by young people around the country to tackle COVID-19).
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Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-86786240930784223802020-06-30T01:54:00.000-07:002020-06-30T01:54:53.451-07:00Central Africa Emergency COVID 19 Fund - Cameroon<b>June 2020 Monthly Report <b><b></b></b></b>
<b>By James Achanyi Fontem, camlinknews</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMDwmoFH-eqtKgMEuHw3Jhvfl0onoz0vdD9JAlbfuDzXeTkD_1htZsorqnj_SudpWXyM88rbnNNgz57r1fNoEbphvYFUkGKiG8SGK6vuC9UgoZ-XyVOlb-kIBhdOY8Dj6IoujLzoFDjEZ/s1600/Photo+of+James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMDwmoFH-eqtKgMEuHw3Jhvfl0onoz0vdD9JAlbfuDzXeTkD_1htZsorqnj_SudpWXyM88rbnNNgz57r1fNoEbphvYFUkGKiG8SGK6vuC9UgoZ-XyVOlb-kIBhdOY8Dj6IoujLzoFDjEZ/s320/Photo+of+James.jpg" width="312" height="320" data-original-width="731" data-original-height="750" /></a></div>
In late May 2020, it was decided that FRI could offer the COVID19 Emergency Fund to broadcasting partners in Central Africa. It was likely that most applicants will be from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)RC and Cameroon, although there could be some other applicants from other Central African countries like Congo-Brazzaville, Burundi, and Rwanda , given that FRI has broadcasting partners in these areas and are connected to these partners via email and WhatsApp.
The application process was circulated by FRI Canada in two languages, notably in English and French. Two separate application forms were created based on the existing English and French application forms for other FRI countries. The fund and these application forms were promoted primarily via WhatsApp, but also through an email and reminder, beginning early June. The applications were gathered into two spreadsheets (one English, one French) in the Element 4 in an Emergency Fund Requests folder on the Gdrive.
The review process with evaluation committee will includes FRI representation: Kathryn Burnham & Hannah Tellier, Finance representation, Abdoul Aziz Zonou, Regional representation Representatives from CORACON & Cameroon Link.
The FRI representatives had to check the spreadsheets regularly at lest minimum 3 times a week and share any new applications with the rest of the committee, which had to consider the merits of the applications. The FRI representative also had the role of verifying that the applicants were existing broadcasting partners.
The representatives from Cameroon Link & CORACON assisted in the validation process through verification of the applications as well, by contacting the organizations to gather information related to:
- Proof that the key contact works at the station, which was registered in its country
- Verification of the stated needs in the application & ability to procure the equipment desired (if applicable)
- Bank information for the organization or individual to transfer the funds.
The evaluation committee met twice, the first time in late-June to review the applications already submitted and to award the funds. A second round of selection is expected to take place in July or August 2020 based on the level of popular applications.
The transfer of funds by FRI is handling through bank transfer to the station’s account or using individual transfer by Western Union where necessary, If the station is in a rural area without access to Western Union or bank. CORACON is assisting with transfer of fund through mobile money in extreme difficult situations.
Representatives from CORACON and Cameroon Link are assisting in following up in August and September 2020 with stations awarded the funds to gather:
- A photo of the station and broadcasters
- A short description of how the funds were used and how the station staff & listeners benefited with an emphasis on how women, youth, and marginalized communities may have benefited.
- A short description of how their radio station addressed the COVID-19 situation with its programming.
- Feedback on FRI’s resources, particularly resources & services produced related to COVID-19
- Have they used any of FRI resources? How? What did they like / dislike?
- Did they participate in WhatsApp discussions with experts? What did they like or dislike?
- How would the stations rate their satisfaction with the emergency fund process? The application process? The transfer of funds? The follow up from local networkers?
On the 5th June 2020, Cameroon Link received the following instructions on:
Local Networker Objectives
1. 1st objective: Support radio stations in the use of FRI resources, FRI services including WhatsApp and hotline and FRI emergency fund
To achieve the objective:
• Follow the work plan requested by the Networking Focal Point
The Networking Focal Point (NFP) provided Cameroon Link with expectations for the entire project and detailed expectations per week.
(For example: "In the first week, Cameroon Link promoted the emergency fund and how FRI was going to deliver it. In the second week, Cameroon Link promoted the whtasapp and hotline links.
• Promote gender equality in all Cameroonn Link activities
Value the contributions of women and men equally, which meant making extra efforts to obtain women's contributions. Every day and at every stage of our work, we aim to represent the diverse needs and interests of women, men and other vulnerable groups.
Share the information needed for understanding the implications of COVID-19 related to gender inequality (for example, women's higher risk of contracting the virus since they are often the ones who care for the sick, and the increase in violence against women in times of crisis).
Make a maximum commitment to contact an equal number of men and women. when Cameroon Link calls or writes to a man, we also call and write to a woman. FRI recognizes that this is sometimes difficult to achieve, but is our responsibility to strive for this goal as much as possible.
• Cameroon Link maintains regular, one-on-one contact with each station's broadcasters
Responds on the same day to the messages it received (whether they are WhatsApp messages, emails or phone calls). Cameroon Link adapted its tools of communication to the specific needs of individuals.
With the list of radio stations provided by the Networking Focal Point (NFP), it was ensured that Cameroon Link remained in close contact with the radio stations that do not contact us.
Every day, we contacted at least 5 male and 5 female broadcasters, representing a daily total of 10 different radio stations.
Contact with a radio station means that Cameroon Link had to individually writte or call one or more people from that radio station using WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram and/or telephone). It is should be noted that contacting a person through a WhatsApp group is not an individual approach.
For this reason, Cameroon Link noted the names of the radio stations, as well as the names of the people contacted including their gender.
• Cameroon Link prioritized "marginalized" radio broadcasters and radio stations located in rural communities.Marginalized radio stations' means a radio station located in a remote area and/or broadcasting in a local minority language and/or with fewer financial resources and/or fewer staff and/or less technical capacity and internet than the average.
Cameroon Link had to identify the specific needs of people from marginalized groups and respond to their needs with specific information.
It prioritizes networking with marginalized radios, with radios that target marginalized groups, and with non-active broadcasters in WhatsApp groups.
• Cameroo Link found ways to include broadcasters who are not proficient in English of French when communicating with them was difficult. Pidgin English is spoken in over 9O% of Cameroon communities where the local language of our interlocutor is not understood for the information Cameroon Link shared, but also so that he / she felt valued when he / she communicated his / her opinions and suggestions.
If the person does not speak English or French and we do not speak the person's local language, we informed the Networking Focal Point. He / she could help us by putting us in touch with another local networker or another person who could facilitate the conversation. It should be noted that there is no extra budget allocated or translation in this COVID 19 project.
• Cameroon Link uses the various social media and digital tools to enable broadcasters to share issues and experiences on COVID-19 and to support each other. We encourage our broadcasting partners to join the WhatsApp group or Telegram / Facebook group to be part of our community of practice and share discussions, experiences, local information and their questions,
• Cameroon Link contributes to the search for information from reliable and verified sources, by searching to receive a large flow of information on COVID-19 and the impact of this emergency activity in Cameroon on gender equality and women in particular, then verify its reliability and sort it out before sharing some of it. The slightest doubt about the reliability of an item of information is prevented from disseminating without any hesitation.
• Cameroon Link contributes to the fight against fake news on air, networks and digital platforms. We ask to the radio stations what information they broadcast in their programmes. Check to be sure that the information is accurate. We encourage review of sources of information to be aware of fake news by checking the WHO and Africa Check websites. We ask the community radio stations on how the programmes address gender equality issues.
The second objective of Cmeroon Link is to Support the radio stations in the improvement of their COVID-19 programmes through animation, journalism and technical know-how.
To achieve this objective Cameroon Link follows the work plan requested by the Networking Focal Point . The Networking Focal Point (NFP) has provided us with expectations for the entire project, but also with detailed expectations per week.
Cameroon Link promotes gender equality in all its activities through understanding and analysis of information on gender equality. It makes and effort to sure that we get broadcasters to question themselves about gender equality issues and avise them to contact gender equality experts in the ministry of women’s affairs or respective regional delegations in the country to support them. They should ask questions like “Does each piece of information apply equally to the realities of women and men? Do women have the power to decide to implement the proposed measures on COVID 19?”
The aim of Cameroon Link is to try to get broadcasters to think about the gender implications of such a crisis like COVID 19. Gender-based violence is often on the increase in crisis situations: “Is it a phenomenon observed in Cameroon’s local communities? Are there services available to help women in their communities?”
It is also very important to respect and enforce VOICE standards while communicating. See the FRI fundamentals at all times and apply them.
http://scripts.farmradio.fm/radio-resource-packs/101-getting-and-using-audience-feedback-and-evaluating-radio-programs/use-voice-standards-to-improve-your-farmer-program/
• Broadcastes should respect and enforce FAIR standards and apply these FRI fundamentals at all times in the delivery of their activities:
http://scripts.farmradio.fm/radio-resource-packs/104-post-harvest-cow-pea/f-r-journalism-standards-farmer-programs/
• Cameroon Link motivates broadcasters to take pride in their work and encourage
Them with Congratulatory messages and certificates. We emphasize on the positive aspects of broadcasters’ work on and off the air and celebrate radio stations' successes with them.
Cameroon Link also share good news with other radio stations to value people.
Cameroon Link’s third objective is to Increase FRI’s network of radio stations
To achieve this objective :
• Cameroon Link follows the work plan requested by the Networking Focal Point
The Networking Focal Point (NFP) has provided us with expectations for the entire project, but also with detailed expectations per week.
• This implies enrolling new broadcasting partners in the FRI network, encouraging new radio stations to become FRI Broadcasting Partners and have them complete the Broadcasting Partner Participation Agreement.
Cameroon Link review the list of FRI's broadcasting partners, identify radio stations that are not on that list, and then contact them to provide them materials about FRI.
The fourth and last objective of Cameroon Link is Sharing insights from our interactions with radio stations to improve FRI services
To achieve this objective Cameroon Link FM Network follows the work plan requested by the Networking Focal Point .
The Networking Focal Point (NFP) has provided us with expectations for the entire project, but also with detailed expectations per week.
While promote gender equality in all our activities, we pay particular attention to good practices related to gender equality, as well as to radio stations that have the capacity to address these issues related to COVID-19.
The observations and comments we receive are shared with the Networking Focal Point and the Gender Focal Point like sharing information about services available to women survivors of violence, radio stations taking specific steps to address the needs of women.
Cameroon Link collects information and views from radio stations and communities to share with FRI.
Assist us in collecting any ideas, comments, questions or reactions from other radio stations and listeners that could help improve FRI's work with us. Share them with the Networking Focal Point and other FRI colleagues.
These may include comments or questions related to COVID 19 project beneficiaries, the use of FRI resources and how to improve them, our networking, our responses to gender inequality issues, FRI emergency fund, our impact results, our experiences,...It may also include important local information.
For more information, please visit these links:
https://camlinknews.blogspot.com/2020/06/central-africa-covid-19-emergency-fund.html
https://camlinknews.blogspot.com/2020/06/rapid-gender-analysis-of-covid-19-in.html
https://camlinknews.blogspot.com/2020/06/what-are-we-learning-about-covid-19.html
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Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-32009985577156706212020-06-28T12:13:00.000-07:002020-06-28T12:24:00.037-07:00Rapid Gender Analysis of COVID 19 in Cameroon<b>By James Achanyi Fontem, CEO, Cameroon Link<b></b></b>
<b>"Women are excluded from information sharing on COVID-19 and from key high level decision making processes at national, regional and health district level....Despite this, the analysis reveals how coronavirus is also creating opportunities to disrupt deeply positive strategies and deeply entrenched gender inequalities."</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bEVFbBfv__MRqesKkrVENWXC2CjzvToc38zncHCzQtAWcQGOk0ZTJjBqWxq9l6-Kvx98-wxn7WEfvHYuzcTOsq3iIPs6UxS57q7mfQq9sypwPoKRV-c5cWoS_r85c9UElCrvY188t72L/s1600/Photo+of+James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bEVFbBfv__MRqesKkrVENWXC2CjzvToc38zncHCzQtAWcQGOk0ZTJjBqWxq9l6-Kvx98-wxn7WEfvHYuzcTOsq3iIPs6UxS57q7mfQq9sypwPoKRV-c5cWoS_r85c9UElCrvY188t72L/s320/Photo+of+James.jpg" width="312" height="320" data-original-width="731" data-original-height="750" /></a></div>
The COVID-19 crisis and the application of the preventive measures taken in Central Africa region , including movement restriction measures (confinement, curfew, border closures), social distancing, and the closure of schools, have had an impact on all aspects of people's lives. camlink's COVID-19 pandemic response strategy in Central Africa region, most of whose countries were already fragile, has emphasised gender-focused and feminist approaches. To that end, the organisation carries out a Rapid Gender Analysis (RGA) with the objective of highlighting and understanding the gendered impacts of the COVID-19 crisis and formulating practical recommendations for direct response and advocacy.
For the RGA, camlink has interviewed 24 persons (52% women and 48% men) representing communities, technical and health districts, and national non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and women's rights organisations across 6 regions of Cameroon in Central Africa region. Using a do-no-harm approach, with a focus on mitigating the risk to camlink staff and communities, data collection (June 6-15, 2020) was done remotely by phone, using instant messaging services, and, when appropriate, face to face using distancing measures.
Key findings, with an emphasis on communication-related findings:
• With widespread government lockdowns, humanitarian actors are having increased difficulty reaching those in need. World Bank projections around the COVID-19 pandemic's impacts forecast a reduction to the already-low human development score. According to the Economic Community of Central African States (CEMAC), the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could increase the number of people at risk of food insecurity and malnutrition from 7 million to 20 million people between June and September 2020. Women are particularly at high risk in this context.
• Women are suffering from more gender-based violence (GBV) due to general social stress combined with the increasing tensions surrounding having the family sequestered at home, on top of limited access to food and basic supplies. The informal social safety nets and networks many women previously relied on for support are weakened due to reduced physical mobility and social distancing.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUIwJdwFDB2wd5a3FlkaSFrrbUmlEnHe3azGXkc4kwOmD2AABFbngE0fgKlwTqZVYyB5T7YqSauWcMgx9gWSnSycipdxriYWTpzeWt_iWqCJPHuWbukMcBbV6egWK_Yo1LcAF_FfT8e8A/s1600/During+OSDV++in+Souza+-+DS+Abo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUIwJdwFDB2wd5a3FlkaSFrrbUmlEnHe3azGXkc4kwOmD2AABFbngE0fgKlwTqZVYyB5T7YqSauWcMgx9gWSnSycipdxriYWTpzeWt_iWqCJPHuWbukMcBbV6egWK_Yo1LcAF_FfT8e8A/s320/During+OSDV++in+Souza+-+DS+Abo.jpg" width="320" height="288" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1439" /></a></div>
• There is an overarching fear of contracting the disease and social distrust, especially towards foreigners, people coming from big cities, and those with elderly family members. Respondents repeatedly mentioned a sense of anxiety, in particular by youth, who are out of school and unable to access their routine activities. Meanwhile, very few mental health services exist that can offset the need for support.
• Women confirm that government and health clinics have diverted energy and attention away from sexual reproductive and health and rights (SRHR) services. Between social distancing slowing down service provision and fear of attending clinics, it is very hard for women to access SRHR services. A decreasing number of youth accessing health services was also noted.
• Misinformation is easier to access than official information. People are relying heavily on traditional healers, and rumours are spreading faster than official government information. At the same time, women and youth have little access to traditional information channels like TV and radio because men control these outlets in the household. In addition, broadcasts sharing information usually air at times when women are doing domestic labour. Women reported WhatsApp to be the most preferred source of information, as it is accessible for illiterate populations. Relying on social media carries risks, however, as these media is a common source of false information.
• In general, the respondents have a good knowledge of preventive measures, but they are not likely to apply many of them. Hand washing is the most commonly practiced preventative measure, because hand washing stands are available in public places, and previous experience with cholera and Islamic ritual washing makes hand washing a common habit. However, precarious living conditions and high population density in working-class neighbourhoods (especially in urban areas) make it difficult to practice social distancing.
• Overall, the participation of women in community decisions is not systemic and remains subject to their availability, as described by a respondent from Bomono: "Women participate in decision-making forums if that does not coincide with the moments of their domestic tasks."
However, the RGA identified several opportunities that can be seized - in the immediate and long terms - in the context of the pandemic to effect lasting changes:
• Availability and adaptability of actors at community level ready to support prevention activities: Community leaders and women members of Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) groups are already raising awareness of the preventive measures of the disease. Members are changing their group methodology to allow for social distancing and to support hygiene while maintaining solidarity and safety nets. Even beyond COVID-19: "We could relay messages shared during meetings to reach women who do not have television, radio, telephone, and social media and who do not understand French or English," said a woman leader member of a VSLA.
• Development of digital operating capacity: This pandemic has demonstrated that it is possible to work remotely if given the appropriate capacities, which could serve as a trigger for humanitarian actors to develop the capacities required to continue interventions remotely in the future if and when necessary.
• The transformation of gender roles and relationships within households: The long period of confinement has brought families together: "Men no longer go to the bars to drink," said a respondent from Grand Hangar Quarter. On the contrary, they are involved in domestic tasks, which undoubtedly enables them to understand the implicit struggles. Men may be more willing to continue their domestic work even after the confinement and the pandemic.
• Opportunity to develop local or women-led innovation and technology at local level: Instances such as the design and construction of washing stands with local or recycled materials and the creative use of social media during the pandemic have shown that "with a little imagination and support", men, women, and young adolescents "can develop innovative and attractive initiatives that could strengthen their socio-economic empowerment while reducing their vulnerability to the risks of GBV."
Selected recommendations:
Ensuring a community-led response
• Engage women, youth (both boys and girls), traditional leaders, and religious leaders in analysis, problem solving, and decision making to address this complex socio-cultural and economic issue.
• Involve all stakeholders in the design and development and identification of outlets for COVID-19 prevention messages and communication to reach vulnerable populations. This should include messaging around engaging men and boys in shared household tasks, sharing decision-making power between men and women, participation of women, GBV and positive masculinities, rumours and false information about COVID-19, and more.
• Do not ignore or isolate youth. Instead, listen to their concerns and ideas, and include them in seeking solutions and innovations for adaptation and prevention. Invest in out-of-school, COVID-19 safe activities for youth so they can actively contribute to the community response and engage in social development.
• Ensure women have access to accurate information via VSLA groups and their social networks to then share amongst their WhatsApp groups and other networks.
Strengthening food and nutrition security - e.g., ensure households understand the importance of nutrition through community awareness campaigns so everyone can base their family meals on accurate information.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqOX3tl39dlkuuIzv1ooPOBNDGH5QDbu0jko2QDjlsK4n6jSjiAzJfkXvHBpjqfS-Z2CsF48bKr1pAS1xB8USnjgosS0dC8QZP8R3rnzqsDI1d7vJEzQdzST6tOP0x3dY0ofJ1d86tB9I/s1600/Practice+of+WASH+in+Mundani+Abo+District.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqOX3tl39dlkuuIzv1ooPOBNDGH5QDbu0jko2QDjlsK4n6jSjiAzJfkXvHBpjqfS-Z2CsF48bKr1pAS1xB8USnjgosS0dC8QZP8R3rnzqsDI1d7vJEzQdzST6tOP0x3dY0ofJ1d86tB9I/s320/Practice+of+WASH+in+Mundani+Abo+District.jpg" width="270" height="320" data-original-width="1324" data-original-height="1572" /></a></div>
Supporting early recovery initiatives and strengthening economic activities for women and members of VSLA groups - e.g., support these groups in the use of smart phones / tablets and social media to initiate online sales locally.
Addressing GBV
• Ensure that adequate and appropriate prevention and response measures are put in place for GBV among essential services, such as information for support (e.g., hotlines).
• Support the implementation of safe spaces for women that are specifically adapted to the COVID-19 context, which could include VSLA-led virtual safe spaces.
• Encourage innovations for VSLA members to maintain strong social safety nets and member solidarity to provide support and protection.
• Support initiatives to discourage child marriage, which has increased as a coping mechanism during the pandemic.
Strengthening access to services and basic health care
• Ensure basic health services for issues other than COVID-19 are available, including through remote clinics and increased home visits by trained community health workers.
• Equip health centres with information and communication systems on the disease for health service seekers and visitors.
• Ensure accurate health centre outreach to communities with accurate information, as many women and children are afraid of accessing formal health services.
• Ensure messages are designed and use the appropriate channels to reach adolescent boys and girls and women.
Seizing the opportunity to reduce the digital divide
• Engage youth (boys and girls) to identify the best digital platforms for information sharing, reinforcement of social safety nets, and sharing of accurate information.
• Promote women's engagement with digital spaces through support to VSLAs for the identification and inclusion of remote operation measures in the VSLA module and operating rules.
• Connect women and youth with media agencies and mobile phone companies for the production of jingles on the above themes and their dissemination as default ringtones, etc.
• Connect women and youth with impact/innovation hubs for solutions so as to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
• Ensure marginalised communities, especially women and youth, can be heard through the establishment of mechanisms of accountability and monitoring, as well as through the management of complaints and abuses via cell phone communication platforms.
• Resource and train communities so as to establish remote monitoring of humanitarian programmes through mobile applications.
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Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-85551782437492545802020-06-28T11:56:00.000-07:002020-06-28T12:06:32.549-07:00WHAT ARE WE LEARNING ABOUT COVID 19 GENDER RESPONSE ?<b>James Achanyi-Fontem, CEO Cameroon Link<b><b><b><b></b></b></b></b></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnhBFWyt815hCeM14BIHKNN6iBqtHuXOs7pySvh3m6MFb8BE5YdyeNmJvYqxzEdbfMcRxldPN6dDPSLeHVu5wCJ88nX_yzQjtGC7qK0aaWBtiZ8GzD9c99SIgsRW0rNGyS5dRlpcEP_n2/s1600/Photo+of+James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnhBFWyt815hCeM14BIHKNN6iBqtHuXOs7pySvh3m6MFb8BE5YdyeNmJvYqxzEdbfMcRxldPN6dDPSLeHVu5wCJ88nX_yzQjtGC7qK0aaWBtiZ8GzD9c99SIgsRW0rNGyS5dRlpcEP_n2/s320/Photo+of+James.jpg" width="312" height="320" data-original-width="731" data-original-height="750" /></a></div>
"Gender-responsive design, implementation and monitoring of humanitarian programmes rely heavily on consultations, community-based approaches and face-to-face interactions with women and men, who are severely impacted by COVID-19 containment measures..
As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 rises among the estimated 160,000 Nigerian and Central African Republic refugees residing in 6 overcrowded areas in the far north and east regions of Cameroon, makeshift camps in Kousseri and Garoua Boulai, humanitarian agencies must change the ways they deliver programmes in order to maintain physical distancing and adhere to strict hygiene protocols. By examining how these changes are impacting the ability to deliver gender-responsive and gender-sensitive programmes (GSP), Cameroon Link hopes in this report to inform humanitarian responders and enable them to consider strategies to mitigate any risks.
Cameroon Link explains here that, since 2019, gender actors in Cox's Bazaar tents have been working to focus the humanitarian response to the specific needs of the most vulnerable and marginalised groups. They have, for example, promoted gender equality through gender mainstreaming and used advocacy and other approaches to support the empowerment of women and girls. However, with community engagement strategies needing adaptation to COVID-19 containment measures, and some key initiatives such as capacity-building around women's leadership being largely placed on hold, the concern is that gains achieved in the past year could be reversed.
To understand the situation, Cameroon Link conducted 4 key informant interviews from June 15-20, 2020 with gender and protection experts working across the humanitarian sectors in the Kousseri and Garoua Boulai refugee response. The researchers also examined publicly available secondary data. Kousseri perceptions included in the report were collected by the International Organization for Migration (IOM)'s Communicating with Communities (CwC) team, which includes camlink field researchers, through a weekly awareness and data collection exercise guided by COVID-19 analytical framework.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSu_hjqP9gAgcUdJ1x0TE1GyuQu1ta1gHpFrPhhBe-illsiLXYv9ESsVVFqwFHjZU1X_DxO8ea4KyWN8wl5k70qpWLkKiR4XaslLVKYwk5TjTDoDbw8sGDVfxg4FzYNrn_13yPUBChZ0Dc/s1600/CHWs+in+pratical+group+session+at+ABO+District.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSu_hjqP9gAgcUdJ1x0TE1GyuQu1ta1gHpFrPhhBe-illsiLXYv9ESsVVFqwFHjZU1X_DxO8ea4KyWN8wl5k70qpWLkKiR4XaslLVKYwk5TjTDoDbw8sGDVfxg4FzYNrn_13yPUBChZ0Dc/s320/CHWs+in+pratical+group+session+at+ABO+District.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div>
The analysis identified risks such as:
• Given the rapid pace of the COVID-19 response, GSP may not be prioritised because it is not considered life-saving, and protection issues may be overlooked during a time where protection needs are actually increasing - creating further discrimination, exploitation, and unequal access to services.
• Limited access of gender and protection staff to the field due to COVID-19 restrictions entails risk that the response will be unable to quickly identify and respond to urgent gender and protection needs going forward.
• In addition to facing increased insecurity in the camps, camlink female volunteers report being stigmatised and harassed due to their association with international humanitarian workers, who are perceived as vectors of the disease. Furthermore, socially restrictive norms limit the access of women and girls to public spheres; women who do not strictly adhere to these norms often experience backlash. The resultant reduced presence of female staff and volunteers could diminish humanitarians' ability to equally serve women and men. In the strict social-religious context of Kousseri and Garoua Boulai communities, it is not acceptable for women to substantially interact with men outside of their households, which is why the presence of female staff and volunteers is essential to delivering humanitarian assistance and services to women.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflM0iu4YqPGtpVwl6NnFJk2S1PDVQrbO1DCcEhqoJ94-shwe0YyxbVCUf83K_gqOreDjHTaT0iAPZchnr_IbIj3jrFLjfvWIVYNC-fdTXOha6nlxnyNndmdUer2Tp3hfS_kaODxV7G_Gw/s1600/During+concertation+with+Bessoungkang+CHW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflM0iu4YqPGtpVwl6NnFJk2S1PDVQrbO1DCcEhqoJ94-shwe0YyxbVCUf83K_gqOreDjHTaT0iAPZchnr_IbIj3jrFLjfvWIVYNC-fdTXOha6nlxnyNndmdUer2Tp3hfS_kaODxV7G_Gw/s320/During+concertation+with+Bessoungkang+CHW.jpg" width="320" height="236" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1179" /></a></div> COVID-19 has disrupted face-to-face interactions in safe places such as women friendly spaces (WFS), which have been a key way to reach those in need of safe gender-based violence (GBV) - the rates of which are elevated during lockdown - and child protection case management and referrals. Movement and access restrictions limit the ability of case managers to interview survivors privately and confidentially, and experts report that women do not trust or feel comfortable using phones for such sensitive issues.
• Poor mobile and internet connections have made it difficult to inform the population of changes to services and of COVID-19 developments, as well as to ensure they have access to humanitarian services. This is particularly the case for women (as well as children and the elderly), who are substantially less likely than men to have access to (and/or time to use) mobile communication.
• Essential awareness messages not specific to COVID-19, such as on GBV, sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and gender, often disseminated through distribution sites and service centres, may not be prioritised over public health messages. Moreover, public health messages are not always gender-responsive, resulting in information being either inaccessible to women and girls (in format and content) or not relevant to them.
• Providing essential information and ensuring continuous engagement and consultation with the affected population is challenging in the COVID-19 context, especially for women, girls, and other vulnerable populations with less access to public space. Specifically, the voices of women and other marginalised groups are likely to be underrepresented when relying solely on the remote data collection methods that are necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic.
That said, there are some potential benefits to emerge from this situation; for instance:
• The increased role of volunteers in the response necessitated by restrictions on official humanitarian workers presents an opportunity to build on past efforts to empower refugee volunteers, especially women, to work within their own communities to identify problems, and solutions. Specifically, more than 20 volunteers across all 6 camps and adjacent Garoua Boulai communities in the east region are conducting awareness sessions and outreach to the most vulnerable to disseminate life-saving messages. Despite social and cultural challenges, Kousseri and Garoua Boulai women in particular have been self-mobilising, forming networks, and raising awareness on COVID-19 across all camps.
• Major changes in distributions, particularly door-to-door modalities, have some positive impacts on gender-sensitive programming, including: reducing the need for vulnerable households, particularly female-headed households, to travel to distribution points and carry heavy items; ensuring that distributed goods (e.g., menstrual hygiene management kits) make it to households; and helping deliver life-saving messages door to door to those with less access to public spaces who would not normally receive such messages.
• Some gender experts highlighted that, as their normal protection programmes have been put on hold due to the restrictions, they have been able to shift their attention to increasing capacity to strengthen gender and protection mainstreaming in essential assistance and services such as isolation and treatment centres.
• Reportedly, funding for gender programming has not been negatively impacted in the short term by the COVID-19 pandemic
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Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-52601083449779794802020-06-28T08:02:00.000-07:002020-06-28T08:18:45.777-07:00Central Africa COVID 19 Emergency Fund Project <b>CAMLINK FM Radio Network Report of Activities<b><b></b></b></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAQGbU3gYmmtAX8B2Pn0nD9Reh68JX5-bzr9OEiVXmJpglkQuDC0P9Xp8KQYMwOXqagNxRE_SXG6BNwPI0NC-AAQraJBOzvHSKf3FUwG38hJlpaEleLDxKbVs88YS-8YQzTuDDtPuSMIC/s1600/Photo+of+James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAQGbU3gYmmtAX8B2Pn0nD9Reh68JX5-bzr9OEiVXmJpglkQuDC0P9Xp8KQYMwOXqagNxRE_SXG6BNwPI0NC-AAQraJBOzvHSKf3FUwG38hJlpaEleLDxKbVs88YS-8YQzTuDDtPuSMIC/s320/Photo+of+James.jpg" width="312" height="320" data-original-width="731" data-original-height="750" /></a></div>
<b>By James Achanyi Fontem, camlinknews</b>
<b>Role of Community Radio Stations in the Fight with Corona</b>
During lockdowns ordered as part of COVID-19 prevention, people are advised to remain at home. "Stay home and stay safe" is a very famous tagline in these days. During this period, people are using different ICTs [information and communication technologies] for giving and receiving information, and for education on many aspects. People are using YouTube, social media such as WhatsApp, https://camlinknews.blogspot.com, and many other sources on the internet.
Community radio is a local and participatory medium of communication that provides information to the rural community in official and local languages.
In Cameroon , half of the population lives in rural areas. The majority of people are poor in Cameroon. It is very difficult for them to access the internet. In this situation, community radio - a local and participatory type of radio - plays a very important role in disseminating information among the rural community. Rural people want valid and reliable information on Corona.
During this time, community radio plays a very important role in broadcasting information on Corona. Presently, over 100 community radios are operational in Cameroon. They broadcast different programmes on different issues, including what protections to take to protect oneself from Corona, such as social distancing information.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaFLQ6tH8ttCOfJT-nvzaIknW9FMRO3lxtqGlkrKlhkT1FzFMaqwOYDOKirGn8H7p-NgTFhrsbnqc8HEyvnektjSGMGmQI8Afhr2HFNssFJcxPz1LwxHRuW3md0lvK2jVqoGb7hsK0yh8/s1600/Christine+exhibits+technique+of+WASH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaFLQ6tH8ttCOfJT-nvzaIknW9FMRO3lxtqGlkrKlhkT1FzFMaqwOYDOKirGn8H7p-NgTFhrsbnqc8HEyvnektjSGMGmQI8Afhr2HFNssFJcxPz1LwxHRuW3md0lvK2jVqoGb7hsK0yh8/s320/Christine+exhibits+technique+of+WASH.jpg" width="309" height="320" data-original-width="1543" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
Community radio programmes on Corona:
1. University community radio in Buea, Douala and Bamenda: These radio stations are broadcasting programmes like "Break the Fake News Chain" to make the community aware about Corona.
2. Thesecommunity radio stations are broadcasting programmes on health - with a special focus on mental health, ways to deal with alcohol withdrawal, spotlights on various initiatives by individuals and NGOs [non-governmental organisations] like Cameroon Link, appeals on understanding facts and the importance of fighting misinformation, and community testimonies.
3. Cameroon Link Community Radio FM Network is running a programme called "Block corona virus", where different stories from different groups are being used to convey messages related to coronavirus. They also broadcast a programme on importance of social distancing, hygiene andsanitattion, handwashing, etc.
4. Cameroon Link Community Radio FM Network is providing online information to the community, though this station is operated by minimum staff. This radio station shifted all programmes to digital mode. Listeners are to be encouraged to develop 5-minute audio and uploaded it to YouTube and Facebook. Authorities also taking follow-up measures on digital Platform.
5. Cameroon Link Community Radio FM Network : Operating in Grand Hangard – Bonaberi, Douala neighbourhood , broadcasts information received from the district health services, chief medical officers, and other government authorities, including entitlements of extended schemes. This station broadcasts the programme "7 on 7 get in", which features messages from an expert along with a thematic poem on frequent handwashing, access to healthcare services, physical distancing, importance of sports, and time for self-learning on a daily basis to spread positivity in people. We provide information on the coronavirus outbreak through discussions and folk songs. Some sessions are live and some are interactive. In the period of lockdown, visits to each and every village are not possible. In this case, community radio and information through the digital mode is very important to make the community aware of different issues.
6. Cameroon Link Community Radio FM Network broadcasts and share programmes on timings and locations of weekly markets, adhering to rules on safe distance, and the status of local ATMs in local languages like Douala, Nweh, Bameleki, Ewondo, Hausa and Pidgin English. This radio station works as a fact checker in the lockdown situation. The station is playing a very important role in educating people about the outbreak of COVID-19.
7. Cameroon Link Community Radio FM Network provides a voice to underprivileged groups of society, shares information about the pandemic.
Thus, we can say that community radio plays a very important role in dissemination of need-based information among the rural community.
As with all of the blogs posted on our website, the content above does not imply the endorsement of The CI or its Partners and is from the perspective of the writer and contributions from Farm Radio International Canada.
COVID-19: Best Strategies - What Are We Learning?: Cameroon Link Community Radio FM Network, Lake site FM Kumba, Achenadia FM Radio Bomono, Rock Pilote FM Radio Sodiko an Farm Radio International Canada contributed to this work which we are sharing with you.
In addition to the question asked above, Cameroon Link has more questions and wait for your responses to assist us in our work.
Here are the questions:WHAT ARE WE LEARNING?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5phnxZuOMwSn48CkhaXkRr4OgY9T7Gb-RDE7S85xAWyIru56P4sTbFBUNk7_CuLxe64Nu_-RDuPc7aSKgkSKgCgeYOh3R-Y8nyZ0eVDWN_cfIOattdPDiEDqgcg4vait6zw6YLQL9xUr/s1600/Training+in+the+context+of+COVID+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5phnxZuOMwSn48CkhaXkRr4OgY9T7Gb-RDE7S85xAWyIru56P4sTbFBUNk7_CuLxe64Nu_-RDuPc7aSKgkSKgCgeYOh3R-Y8nyZ0eVDWN_cfIOattdPDiEDqgcg4vait6zw6YLQL9xUr/s320/Training+in+the+context+of+COVID+19.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div>
COVID-19 poses some serious challenges for all who use information and engagement strategies to pursue their goals. So, what are we learning about what works best? Some starter questions could include:
Which strategies seem to work?
Which new strategies do we need to adopt?
Which present strategies do we need to adapt?
What research is urgently required?
What are the main challenges on which you would welcome suggestions and other input?
What works for policy engagement on the overall country and global strategies that are being developed?
Other learning?
Whether you are working through community engagement, social change, entertainment-education, behavioural science and change, media development, freedom of expression, public interest media, social marketing, campaigns, message development, social media, social networks, social movement or any other strand of an information and engagement strategy ...
... please share what you are learning in support of the work of others.
To contribute either click on https://camlinknews.blogspot.com access any article and enter your comment at the end of the article you read or youtube you listened to. You can also reply to these reports by email to camlink99@gmail.com
Thanks for engaging to share your learning in support of the work of others - camlinknews
We invite you to the Commonwealth of Learning The COVID-19 Communication and Community Engagement HUB - the Network for Shared Knowledge and Active Dialogue in Support of Effective COVID-19 Action
You will have information on the following issues:
Combating Rumours and Misinformation
The Communication Initiative
Please support and encourage people in your networks to join The Cameroon Link FM Radio network at this link – https://camlinknews.blogspot.com
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Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-40434692169595915502020-06-28T07:47:00.000-07:002020-06-28T07:49:14.328-07:00The Communication Initiative of Cameroon Link<b>Message from James Achanyi Fontem<b></b></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBe5_DqdSrsSuGqVBMZoo0visGqumATadfs5IgM383V-NymRUdV7CcYedWVGTaq8sCOvay9Vn3Whoxsjlc_jgeFgERClJBLqIxO-V8gGpmPbw3DvRaavnANOLKxmfsd_6z9ZglK3rx556/s1600/Photo+of+James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBe5_DqdSrsSuGqVBMZoo0visGqumATadfs5IgM383V-NymRUdV7CcYedWVGTaq8sCOvay9Vn3Whoxsjlc_jgeFgERClJBLqIxO-V8gGpmPbw3DvRaavnANOLKxmfsd_6z9ZglK3rx556/s320/Photo+of+James.jpg" width="312" height="320" data-original-width="731" data-original-height="750" /></a></div>
<b>CEO, Cameroon Link</b>
Hi and huge support for your very important work which is crucial in the present environment.Many thanks to everyone who submitted and/or followed and reviewed the initial COVID-19 dialogue. The purpose of these dialogues is peer-to-peer support for your work. That initial COVID-19 dialogue asked this question: In your assessment, what are the three strategic and/or programming priorities for an effective response to COVID-19? This conversation and debate received over 100 sms and posts (to date). There have been 90,000 interactions through social media re-posts, full email opens, etc) Perhaps just complete the overall survey here with comments specific to COVID-19?
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Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-16855285669693004602020-06-19T05:15:00.000-07:002020-06-19T05:22:46.004-07:00FRI Canada Launches Central Africa COVID19 Emergency Fund
<b>By James Achanyi Fontem, camlinknews<b></b></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfth3P2hrE6AFqXRf8S8i20APfJgLaA9Q8xFbSYO29fgmaJZnIUJJ7hBTpqZzlpYYp409RBApjRMLBDMBsIsuH0u_Mv_PvFPZJTcPg_fqxG33URv213R_bmnEXa3CWO-rnJsSbbKCUVuSz/s1600/Blythe+Mckay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfth3P2hrE6AFqXRf8S8i20APfJgLaA9Q8xFbSYO29fgmaJZnIUJJ7hBTpqZzlpYYp409RBApjRMLBDMBsIsuH0u_Mv_PvFPZJTcPg_fqxG33URv213R_bmnEXa3CWO-rnJsSbbKCUVuSz/s320/Blythe+Mckay.jpg" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="70" data-original-height="70" /></a></div>
Accordinging to Mrs. Blythe McKay, Director of Broadcaster Resources at Farm Radio International, Ontario; Canada; in late May 2020, it was decided that FRI could offer a COVID19 Emergency Fund to broadcasting partners in Central Africa. The Global Affairs Canada COVID-19 Support For Radio Stations aims at assisting broadcasters to engage in prevention of the pandemic. It is likely that most applicants will be from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Cameroon, although there may be some other applicants from other Central African countries (Congo-Brazzaville, Burundi, Rwanda), given that FRI Canada has broadcasting partners in these areas and are connected to these partners via email and WhatsApp.
<b>The application process </b>
Two separate application forms have been created based on the existing English and French application forms for other FRI countries. The fund and these application forms has been promoted primarily via WhatsApp, but also through email and reminder, beginning early June 2020.
Applications are gathered into two spreadsheets (one English, one French) in the Element 4 > Emergency Fund Requests folder on the Gdrive.
<b>
The review process </b>
The evaluation committee includes:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTnDz9CFianh11-9yj0rM1Vtgceoxgf0UYNhXZLZJ7DGOSV6aK_glQQGjbhB7ZHSwedjDcq0Mg2ZTKoe7kXLdFfeUwIA2oMks-39QTvvAUp9SLjUVvjOucIobUE9qAj8-sFQotfTMlfic/s1600/Photo+of+James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTnDz9CFianh11-9yj0rM1Vtgceoxgf0UYNhXZLZJ7DGOSV6aK_glQQGjbhB7ZHSwedjDcq0Mg2ZTKoe7kXLdFfeUwIA2oMks-39QTvvAUp9SLjUVvjOucIobUE9qAj8-sFQotfTMlfic/s320/Photo+of+James.jpg" width="312" height="320" data-original-width="731" data-original-height="750" /></a></div>
FRI representation: Kathryn Burnham & Hannah Tellier
Finance representation: Abdoul Aziz Zonou
Regional representation: Representatives from CORACON & Cameroon Link
The FRI representatives check the spreadsheets regularly (minimum 3 times a week) and share any new applications with the rest of the committee who consider the merits of these applications. The FRI representative verifies that the applicants are existing broadcasting partners.
The representatives from Cameroon Link & CORACON are helping to validate and verify these applications as well, by contacting the organizations to gather the following information:
- Proof that the key contact works at the station, which is registered in its country
- Verification of the stated needs in the application & ability to procure the equipement desired (if applicable)
- Bank information for the organization and individual to transfer the funds.
<b>
The selection process</b>
The evaluation committee meets at least twice, the first time in late-June to review the applications already submitted and to award the funds. (A second round of selection may take place in July or August , 2020 based on the level of demands.) For a list of criteria, see the following document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xAZCgoB29CvrlThBaiKnDhVTawJIKAHSY3KJ9MUQ0wI/edit
<b>
The transfer of funds</b>
FRI will handle transfering funds to the selected stations, preferably through a bank transfer to the station’s account, or using individual transfers and Western Union if necessary. If the station is in an area without access to Western Union or bank, CORACON will assist with a transfer through mobile money.
Follow up
Representatives from CORACON and Cameroon Link are assisting in following up (in August and September 2020) with stations awarded the funds to gather:
- A photo of the station / broadcasters
- A short description of how the funds were used and how the station staff & listeners benefited (with an emphasis on how women, youth, and marginalized communities may have benefited).
- A short description of how their radio station addressed the COVID-19 situation with its programming.
- Feedback on FRI’s resources, particularly resources & services produced related to COVID-19
- Have they used any of FRI Canada resources? How? What did they like or dislike?
- Did they participate in our WhatsApp discussions with experts? What did they like or dislike?
- How would they rate their satisfaction with the emergency fund process? The application process? The transfer of funds? The follow up from local networkers?
Radio Broadcasters’ Team Leader for Francophone Africa, Sébastien Negre cautioned that the goal is to help FRI have a conversation on specific topics that enhances collective work. The documents shared should have concrete information about the activy carried out and that is exactly what is expected from postulants and contributors to the project.
- Feel free to contact Radio Broadcasters’ Team Leader for Francophone Africa, Sébastien Negre <snegre@farmradio.org>, Hannah, Katie<kburnham@farmradio.org> or Cameroon Link on whatsapp +237674374951 or +237653101286
- Telephone: +237677758840 - +237694340874
- Email: camlink99@gmail.com – jafontem9@yahoo.com
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Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-84887449494892221322020-06-01T13:21:00.000-07:002020-06-01T13:36:46.385-07:00Formation des Agents de Santé Communautaire sur les ISDC <b>F<b>ormation des Agents de Santé Communautaire sur les Interventions Sous Directive
Communautaire (ISDC) a Souza, District de Santé d’Abo</b>
Par Ojong Helen Ayamba,camlinknews</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAo4zBvmFyiN4Gvp8jBGJa5IesFWjFBPXtkEHhuUTgXxpEsv02iDJkVzurLjEj8_WAWR3kLEsFsIJgEunTO4MTbuQOO3Dz0nOY2cwGWDqdrGfW5AAXQ_JVdnNpiodxHL_Lp1ZlJu7sPdB/s1600/Les+formateur+avec+les+ASC+d%2527Abo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAo4zBvmFyiN4Gvp8jBGJa5IesFWjFBPXtkEHhuUTgXxpEsv02iDJkVzurLjEj8_WAWR3kLEsFsIJgEunTO4MTbuQOO3Dz0nOY2cwGWDqdrGfW5AAXQ_JVdnNpiodxHL_Lp1ZlJu7sPdB/s320/Les+formateur+avec+les+ASC+d%2527Abo.jpg" width="320" height="201" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1004" /></a></div>
13 ASC additionnels du District de Santé d’Abo ont suivi une formation de sept (7) jours sur les Interventions Sous Directive Communautaire (ISDC) a Souza du 11 au 18 Mai 2020 sur la supervision de M. TchanaEric, Regional Field Supervisoor (RFS) of IRESCO pour le Littoral. Adressantles participants, M. M. TchanaEric a dit que lq formation est fait dans le contexte de COVID 19 et les recommandations du gouvernement devraient être respectés.
La formation était effectuée par M. Mbebi Felix Elie, Cadre au District de Santé d’Abo et M. James AchanyiFontem, Coordonnateur de l’OSCD Cameroon Link. Ils ont dispensés 16 modules touchant sur les généralités de la formation, communication, le paludisme, diarrhée, WASH, IRA, Tuberculose/VIH, La Sante des enfants et Vaccination, nutrition, la sante de la mère et planning familial, VBG, la sante du nouveau-né eten registrèrent des naissances, la surveillance, décèsmaternelle, signaux et COVID 19, la gestion des intrants des ASC, utilisation des outils des ASC et conception un plan d’action communautaire.
Chaque module a commencer avec un pré-test et termine par un posttest. Les facilitateurs ont évalué le niveau de compréhension des participants avec organisations des travaux en groupes et présentation des rapports des différents groupes avant les échanges et corrections.
Les exercices pratiques et jeux de roles ont étaientorganises par les participants sur tous les modules.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMoK-4JsAvPIqUYsGaRSJd19FwvrH1ECfT5ktCN7vvlVj2-QP9t-UG8cfFHfjsUyQNiFeP4lePgHTIP5ER9Us_g2DaF_ECNsWV4k_qVMWAMB5BLwG1fwsI18eQ-qR7rIScq1YbZp7nJJI/s1600/CHW+pratise+wash+exxercise+in+Abo+District.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMoK-4JsAvPIqUYsGaRSJd19FwvrH1ECfT5ktCN7vvlVj2-QP9t-UG8cfFHfjsUyQNiFeP4lePgHTIP5ER9Us_g2DaF_ECNsWV4k_qVMWAMB5BLwG1fwsI18eQ-qR7rIScq1YbZp7nJJI/s320/CHW+pratise+wash+exxercise+in+Abo+District.jpg" width="291" height="320" data-original-width="1456" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
Les ASC sont les Chargés de Communication sur le COVID-19 dans leur communautés a insisté M. James Achanyi Fontem, en citant le VALEURS et PRINCIPES de leur action, inscrits au sein de la CHARTE du Cameroun :
1. Le patient d’abord
2. Révolutionner la médecine humanitaire
3. Responsabilité et liberté
4. Améliorer la qualité de nos actions
5. Faire confiance
6. L’intelligence collective
7. SOIGNER – INNOVER – ENSEMBLE :
8. Depuis sa création en 1991, Cameroon Link est engagé a soigné plus de 3 millions de patients par les conseils, et déploie aujourd’hui ses opérations dans le district de sante d’Abo. En 2018,CAMLINK avait projeté de travailler dans 3 projets dont 3 projets de recherche axés sur la malnutrition, le virus Ebola et l’allaitement maternel. L’ensemble de ces projets se fait en appui aux autorités sanitaires nationales à travers plus de 20 structures de santé (dont 2 hôpitaux et 18 structures de santé). CAMLINK intervient en réponse à des crises humanitaires et les patients sont au cœur de toutes les actions. OSC CAMLINK travaille en partenariat dès que cela est possible afin d’ assurer que les patients bénéficient de l’expertise là où elle se trouve, que ce soit au niveau du Cameroun ou du reste du monde.
9. En parallèle, face à la propagation du Covid-19 au Cameroun, CAMLINK se coordonne depuis fin janvier 2020 avec les autorités sanitaires nationales dans lesquels elle intervient afin d’appuyer non seulement pour apporter des réponses locales aux cas de Covid19 mais pour coordonner des actions de plaidoyer afin de développer une stratégie globale de réponse au virus. Ainsi, CAMLINK travaille avec les autorités de plusieurs pays africains et développe une réponse en soutien aux Ministères de la Santé Publique du Cameroun.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-Qzmezcnkj_3IuxdGWF9hY-R1deTlFYi6xhPf9hoKjSw_d1mgYl_GSKaRl5b2Puj5ro3k5wh19e194KTfsTrdhvE1LA-VdzGXjRPj2T6369Y6oABW4BpT3D0vRXPCwqwCzSApjpxDYEo/s1600/Work+group+session+of+CHW+in+Abo+District.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-Qzmezcnkj_3IuxdGWF9hY-R1deTlFYi6xhPf9hoKjSw_d1mgYl_GSKaRl5b2Puj5ro3k5wh19e194KTfsTrdhvE1LA-VdzGXjRPj2T6369Y6oABW4BpT3D0vRXPCwqwCzSApjpxDYEo/s320/Work+group+session+of+CHW+in+Abo+District.jpg" width="320" height="284" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1418" /></a></div>
Sous la supervision du responsable Urgences COVID-19 au Cameroun, en liaison avec les équipes opérationnelles sur les missions et l’équipe Communication du siège à Douala, le/la chargé(e) de la communication d’urgence appuie les activités de communication sur les opérations Coronavirus dans:
• Gestion des relations media (nationaux et internationaux)
• Production de contenus pour la presse, le grand public et la et la levée de fonds
• Appui aux actions de communication opérationnelle sur les terrains d’intervention
Les missions de chargé de communication sont définies en collaboration entre la mission et le responsable de communication.
Les 13 personnes formes dans le district de sante d’Abo sont :
Bakehe Parfait Emmanuel, Bessoungkang, Tel : +237 675114923
Bille Ekwadi ARIS, Bessoungkang, Tel : +237690521019
Engome Monique, Bessoungkang, Tel : +237 690556806
EndalleDipanda Christine, Bessoungkang, Tel : +237 690719054
Kongolo Jean Manfred, Mangamba, Tel : +237 653567844
NGO Epanda Martin, Mbonjo, Tel : +237 690449087
Ngo Hermine, Mbonjo, Tel : +237 697367054
Fanmeugnie Nina Diane, Miang, Tel: +237 699213836
KediNseke Rose, Miang, Tel:+237 697966972
BokopNdjansep Dorine Flavie, Souza, +237 670545110
DjouelonKambiet Aristide Sylvie, Tel, +237 696019620
KoegneTadjou Caroline Desire, Souza, Tel : +237 698868110
Ngatchou Patrice, Souza, Tel : Tel ; +237 694697966
Ces ASC ont appris technique de remplissage des registres sur les VAD et plaidoyer, registre de consultation et fiche de référence. Avant de prendre les matériels de travail de l’ASC pour démarrage des activités dans leurs aires de santé.
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Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847109462335185884.post-56613395319263383052020-05-27T07:03:00.000-07:002020-06-01T13:10:05.420-07:00Cameroon Link participe à la formation des formateurs sur les ISDC<b></b>
<b>Par James Achanyi Fontem, Coordonnateur OSCD d’Abo</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Qbq3NREdrWvq0ViMabeEIh8eYw0CsM5brXae7vGdis55leurYBUsiTbxKTwxXjx3nHLWly6j84f3MsIkrV4LG2O-iOzFRJFHg0rjIi8cK2cmMZCO1hjs8Vn9gjB-jnOMd7kmg2lCNJod/s1600/Facilitation+with+COVID+19+Mask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Qbq3NREdrWvq0ViMabeEIh8eYw0CsM5brXae7vGdis55leurYBUsiTbxKTwxXjx3nHLWly6j84f3MsIkrV4LG2O-iOzFRJFHg0rjIi8cK2cmMZCO1hjs8Vn9gjB-jnOMd7kmg2lCNJod/s320/Facilitation+with+COVID+19+Mask.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div>
Cameroon Link a participé à la formation des formateurs sur les Interventions sous directive communautaire (ISDC) à Douala du 05 au 08 Mai 2020. La formation était organisé par la délégation régionale de la santé publique et IRESCO pour préparer les formateurs à former les nouveaux ASC additionnels des districts de santé du littoral.
La formation était organisé dans le contexte de la prévention de COVID 19. Les 17 modules ont touches les points suivant :
• le renforcement des capacités des participants sur les outils utilisés en pédagogies comme la lecture dirigée, brainstorming, exercices pratique et discussions, les questions/réponses, jeu de rôle, utilisation de représentations visuelles et graphiques, exercices d’apprentissage par résolutions de problèmes et cours magistraux et présentations.
Les facilitateurs ont insistés sur l’utilisation de la MILDA par la femme enceinte et les enfants de moins de 5 ans/Mesures barrière de prévention de COVID 19.Un point tres important était le renforcement des participants à la conduite du diagnostic communautaire et l’élaboration du plan d’action communautaire y compris le plan de communication.
Le plan de communication est basé sur la communication pour développement, la restitution et échanges d’un plan de communication, la causerie éducative, la visite à domicile, la gestion des rumeurs, et technique d’élaboration des messages.
Il y a eu les échanges sur le système d’information sanitaire et le suivi logistique des intrants pour les ISDC. Le facilitateur a touché les points sur la collecte et remontée des données dans le cadre des ISDC, les outils de collecte et remplissage, les indicateurs des ISDC, la validation et l’analyse des données pour la prise de décision.
Dans le cadre de la conduite des différentes activités liés au ISDC, les participants ont travaillés en groupes et presentés les exercices pratiques sur les généralistes, la communication, le paludisme, diarrhée, WASH, IRA,TB/VIH et nutrition.
La dernière journée de la formation de formateurs était focalisé sur la violence basée sur le genre et les enfants, la santé du nouveau-né et enregistrement des naissances, surveillance basée sur les événements, la prévention de COVID 19, la gestion des médicaments et intrants et approvisionnement de l’ ASC, diagnostic et plan d’action communautaire et le plan de la formation des ASC.
<b>COVID-19</b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FID6GyN8If43DbJvQQtGxyP1vba7qhp1eAjJVKIN-BZNs16Z-IhRfWPETXsoHp02WNAcuFDOF31C8cGQfLGwSqWa7qlT2cEkiy7DNv6jKKISRg7WOliY0rbkAJ5lI5Rc1DWKKU__LKxu/s1600/Pratice+of+WASH+by+CHW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FID6GyN8If43DbJvQQtGxyP1vba7qhp1eAjJVKIN-BZNs16Z-IhRfWPETXsoHp02WNAcuFDOF31C8cGQfLGwSqWa7qlT2cEkiy7DNv6jKKISRg7WOliY0rbkAJ5lI5Rc1DWKKU__LKxu/s320/Pratice+of+WASH+by+CHW.jpg" width="260" height="320" data-original-width="1302" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
LES VALEURS et PRINCIPES de notre action, inscrits au sein de la CHARTE de Cameroon Link:
1. Le patient d’abord
2. Révolutionner la médecine humanitaire
3. Responsabilité et liberté
4. Améliorer la qualité de nos actions
5. Faire confiance
6. L’intelligence collective
7. SOIGNER – INNOVER – ENSEMBLE :
8. Depuis sa création en 1991, Cameroon Link a soigné plusieur patients par les bonne messages, et déploie aujourd’hui ses opérations dans 5 régions du Cameroun. En 2018 a projeté de travailler dans 4 projets dont 2 projets de recherche axés sur la malnutrition, l’allaitement maternel, le paludisme et la tuberculose et VIH :Sida. L’ensemble de ces projets se font en appui aux autorités sanitaires nationales à travers plus de 20 structures de santé (dont 4 hôpitaux et 16 structures de santé). Cameroon Link intervient en réponse à des crises humanitaires et les patients sont au cœur de toutes les actions. Cameroon Link travaille en partenariat dès que cela est possible afin d’assurer que les patients bénéficient de l’expertise là où elle se trouve, que ce soit au niveau du Cameroun ou du reste du monde.:
9. Equipe
En parallèle, face à la propagation du Covid-19 au Cameroun, Cameroon Link se coordonne depuis fin janvier 2020 avec les autorités sanitaires nationales au Cameroun dans lesquels elle intervient afin d’appuyer non seulement pour apporter des réponses locales aux cas de Covid19 mais pour coordonner des actions de plaidoyer afin de développer une stratégie globale de réponse au virus. Ainsi, Cameroon Link travaille avec les autorités de plusieurs pays africains et développe une réponse en soutien aux Ministères de la Santé Publique du Cameroun.
DESCRIPTION GÉNÉRALE
Sous la supervision du responsable Urgences COVID-19 au Cameroun, en liaison avec les équipes opérationnelles sur les mission et l’équipe Communication du siège à Douala, le/la chargé(e) de la communication d’urgence appuie les activités de communication sur les opérations Coronavirus dans les pays d’intervention :
• Gestion des relations media (nationaux et internationaux)
• Production de contenus pour la presse, le grand public et la levée de fonds
• Appui aux actions de communication opérationnelle sur les terrains d’intervention
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Camlink Men's Initiativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10613709286373889069noreply@blogger.com0