CAMLINK Radio Gets Zoom Recorder from FRI Board Member

Helen Ayamba, camlink radio, Email: camlink99@gmail.com

CAMLINK Radio received a Zoom Recorder donated by FRI Board Member, Jacqueline Toupin to support the work realized within an on-going strategic partnership.. The donation was made during a courtesy visit to the FRI Cameroon Focal Point in Bonaberi-Douala tofind out for herself the impact of Farm Radio services to the Cameroon rural populations, and especially smallholder farmers. She discussed possibilities of a joint venture for capacity building of staff of the Central Africa Community Radio Network (RERAC) coordinated by Eva Mouzong from Yaoundé and rural radio stations serving the indigenous pygmy communities in the east region of Cameroon.. She reminded the Farm Radio Media Broadcast Liaison officer, Cooh Odette Behn that she should fully engage and inform farmers through radio and ICTs like the Farm Radio regional offices in Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia and Mali. She added that with funding from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the African Farm Radio Research Initiative (AFRRI), Farm Radio is directly implementing and evaluating a variety of innovative approaches in the above countries.

Addressing coordinators of RERAC and the Model Forest Project, Jacqueline Toupin said, consistent with the commitment to empower smallholder farmers to achieve their farming and food security dreams, Farm Radio can offer agriculture initiatives that pay through communicating with them. FRI Cameroon was encouraged to continue to promote participatory radio campaigns (PRC) during its field monitoring exercises. PRC is a planned radio based activity conducted over a specific period of time, between four to 6 months, during which a broad population of farmers is encouraged to make an informed decision about adopting a specific improvement selected by their pairs, based on the best available information, to improve food security of the farmers’ families. The Farm Radio Board member shared information on the 75 ways to fix a farmer program and agriculture radio that works. Handing over the Zoom Recorder, she said, there is no doubt that Cameroon Link understands the importance of voice quality and that the tool will facilitate the work and expand Farm Radio achievements in Cameroon in the interest of smallholder farmers. From Cameroon Link, Jacquie travelled to Kribi in the south of Cameroon to visit Beach FM. The visit to encourage FRI Cameroon Link partnership efforts was appreciated by the entire team of the organisation.

FRI Cameroon, RERAC & Model Forest Discuss Livelihood Venture

By Helen Ayamba, CAMLINK Radio, Email: camlink99@gmail.com

A Farm Radio Board member, Jacqueline Toupin has connected FRI Cameroon to a joint venture capacity building venture with the Central Africa Community Radio Network (RERAC) coordinated by Eva Mouzongin Yaoundé and the Model Forest Network of Patrick Nyemeck SGAN in Lomie in the East region of Cameroon. A first working session held at IBIS Hotel Douala on the 31st July 2013. Eva PauleMouzong, who is also the station manager of Environment Radio in Yaoundé is a strategic partnerofthe Model Forest Network. The Model Forest Project is involved in the promotion of forest governance, participatory monitoring and evaluation, business development services, climate change adaptation and mitigation. Cameroon hosted the African Model Forest Conference in Yaoundé from the 12th to 15th March 2013. It is FRI Managing Editor, Vijay Cuddeford in Vancouver, Canada who introduced Cameroon Link to Jacqueline Toupin. Vijay worked for WWF Canada for 15 years.

The Africa Model Forest Network (RAFM) is promotion a project known as Bio-Adapt encouraging the use of bio-fertilizers, ameliorated grains for planting, non-conventional animal breeding, domestication of forest products, farmers’ microfinance and business models through promotion of market information systems.. The project receives financial and technical support from the Canadian International Development Agency, CIDA. Talking to Farm Radio, Patrick Nyemeck said, people and forest cannot be separated, since people around the world use forest resources such as fruits, timber, bush meat, agro- and rattan for their livelihood every day. He added that participatory and inclusive approaches to sustainable forest management and use can help prevent conflicts over resources and forest degradation. Campo Ma’an and Dja&Mpomoare two pilot sites selected for the execution of the Model Forest strategy in Cameroon. The 700.000 hectares Dja&Mpomo forest is located in the east region of Cameroon. It has a striking bio-diversity with over 600 tree species, 165 mammalian species, 120 fish species and 320 bird species. Elephant, leopard, gorilla and chimpanzee have been listed as threatened and endangered mammals.

Dja&Mpomo has a total population of 25.000 inhabitants divided into five main indigenous ethnic groups including the Baka pygmies. 40% of the landscape consists of forest management units with almost a quarter placed as protected area. The population is involved in informal agro-economy, forestry related activities, handicraft and mining. Though the economic value of the area is rated as high, the local populations do not benefit from the forest resources and revenues. As a solution, the Model Forest is providing a coherent network for all the actorsto experiment with sustainable management practices on the basis of voluntary partnerships. FRI Cameroon and Environment Radio Yaoundé will design capacity building training for pygmy community radio stations in the east region of Cameroon in 2014 with the support the Model Forest Project.

FRI Canada Board Member Visits Cameroon

By Helen Ayamba, camlink Radio Email: camlink99@gmail.com

Jacqueline Toupin, a Farm Radio Board memberrecently visited Cameroon to appreciate the on-going partnership and outcomes of interventions. She was accompanied to Douala by members of the Cameroon Model Forest Project, Patrick Nyemeck, who is IT and Communication Officer, Gladys Otou, a VSO volunteer and communication specialist working in Yaoundé; and Eva Mouzong, who is the Coordinator of Reseau de Radio Communautaired’AfriqueCentrale (RERAC). Cameroon Link hosted the team during the stop over and working sessions. Jacquie Toupincoordinated a tripartite working session at IBIS Hotel Bonanjo-Douala to find possible linkage between FRI Cameroon, Cameroon Model Forest Project and RERAC after a visit to Littoral regional radio located in Bonanjo. The participants at meeting discussed possibilities of working with the vulnerable Baka Pygmy communities in Lomie, east region of Cameroon, where community radios exist, but the volunteer broadcasters have had not even elementary training on broadcast techniquesand community radio management. Cameroon is part of the African Model Forest Network, AMFN,affiliated to the International Model Forest Network. This is part of an established community of vision and practice on five continents, with proven record in the governance of vast landscapes and complex multi-stakeholder partnerships. Model Forests fulfil diverse aspirations for better livelihoods through joint actions and projects. In 2005, the Cameroonian sites of Campo Ma’an and Dja&Mpomo were selected as pilots for Central Africa. In both mode forests, stakeholders are building large scale development and management platforms based on voluntary partnerships. Campo Ma’an is the south of Cameroon has 770.000 hectares of forest rich in biodiversity, elephants, buffalo, gorilla, chimpanzee, and pantherwith over 300 bird species. The 60.000 inhabitants are divided into seven ethnic groups that peacefully co-habit in the area. The main occupation of the population is farming, fishing and hunting.One third of the landscape is a national park, a quarter is an agro-forestry zone with rubber and oil palm as the main produces. Two logging companies have implanted activities in the region. At Littoral FM Radio in Bonandjo, Mrs.Toupin discussed with the Director, Serge NgandoNtone on the level of FRI collaboration and how the materials sent to the station is exploited. Jeanne Tchakounte who organised a guided visit of the broadcast installations had benefited from a FRI Canada scholarship to participate in training planned in Burkina Faso. The FRI Board member accorded an interview to CRTV Littoral on her trip to the east region of Cameroon and the expectations from the visit of broadcast partners.

Cameroon Link Reviews Nestlé’s Policy with Bruno Olierhoek

By Helen Ayamba, Email: helenayamba@yahoo.com

Cameroon Link has discussed the way forward for the improvement of maternal and child health in Africa with Bruno Olierhoek who is the Administrator Director General of Nestle in the Central Africa Region. Also present during the exchange meeting on the 18th June, 2013 were Cyrille Kemgne in charge of medical operations, Armelle Bakoga, Field Operations Manager, Evelyne Kambou, the Nutrition, and Richard Dongue, Director of communication and public affairs. Cameroon Link was represented by the President and Executive Director, James Achanyi-Fontem. Bruno Olierhoek is a Dutch citizen who took office in Cameroon last December 2012 after serving in Asia for a number of years, before moving to the Central Africa region with Nestle head office in Douala. Bruno Olierhoek used the opportunity to answer exchange on the new policies of Nestle, while addressing the opportunities and challenges of nutrition, water and rural development facing the Central and West Africa regions. The Nestle top level administrator said, for a company like Nestle to be successful in the long term and create value for its shareholders, it must also create value for the society served. He described his company as a global leader in nutrition, health and well-being, through its commitment to address key issues of sustainable development, by taking economic and social contributions to communities where it operates. He emphasized that food and nutrition are the basis of health. As the world’s leading nutrition, health and wellness company, Bruno Olierhoek believes that the future of Nestle lies in helping people to eat healthier diets. He explained that using their science-based approach, the company is helping to improve nutrition, addressing deficiency in vitamins and minerals at one end of the spectrum and obesity at the other. One of the important goal of the company is to generate greater awareness, knowledge and understanding among consumers through clear and responsible communication. In the case of Cameroon, Nestle continues to improve the availability of affordable micro nutrient-fortified foods, especially those targeting lower-income consumers in the northern part of the country, where emergency situations are re-occurring every year. Most of the mothers and infants suffer from micro nutrient deficiencies. It focuses on key consumer needs including data on micro nutrient deficiencies obtained in collaboration with local health experts and authorities of the ministry of public health. A greater part of the population is now capable of increasing their iron intake at low cost through collaborative ventures with the government. The populations in Cameroon and other countries of Central and West Africa are currently facing widespread micro nutrient deficiencies.

The Cameroon population is suffering from portable water crisis and this will continue for several decades considering the effects of climate change. We all understand that the quality and availability of water resource is critical to life and the production of food. The company is investing in community development water supply projects, because without good portable water its products will not attained the expected wellness results, either for the mother or the child. Water scarcity is a serious reality in many parts of Cameroon, especially in the three northern regions. The ever-expanding demand for water by Cameroon’s growing and increasingly urbanized population, combined with the impacts of climate change policies and responses, it remains obvious that water is of increasing strategic importance for business and economic prosperity. In the north of Cameroon, livelihood, human health and entire ecosystems are permanently under threat. The reason for increasing dialogue is because by 2030, demand for water is forecast to be 50% higher than today, and withdrawals could exceed natural renewal by over 60 %, resulting in water scarcity for a third of the world’s population. With more than two-thirds of all water being withdrawn by agriculture, food security is also at stake if governments are not able to solve the world’s water crisis. This simply means that water crisis is a global issue.

In the Far North region of Cameroon, women and children do long treks of over 10 kms to collect or carry water. The difficulties are that very often, there is no access to improved water sources and no access to adequate sanitation. A third vital angle of the new policy of Nestle is the involvement in rural development, because the overall well-being of farmers, rural communities, small entrepreneurs and suppliers is intrinsic to the long-term success of rural development. This is referred to the process of improving the quality of life and the economic well-being of people living in relatively isolated and sparsely populated areas. The company aims to ensure thriving communities and farmers while respecting natural capital by working at both the farm and community levels to improve on yields, safeguard incomes, contribute to investment and make a difference in people’s quality of life, while driving social and environmental improvements through responsible sourcing activities. Bruno Olierhoek concluded by telling Cameroon Link that Nestle has value for society. The value is express by the advice and technical assistance to farmers striving for greater yields, higher quality crops, lower resource use, increased income, employment and economic development opportunities. The company sources a number of raw materials, including cocoa, coffee, maize and cassava directly from farmers, while purchasing others through trade channels. These activities drive sustainability and create shared value through the application of best agriculture practices, encompassing environmental, social and economic dimensions. By working closely with farmer cooperatives, it reduces the complexity of the supply chain, eliminates the need for middlemen, increase farmers’ incomes and improves the quality of the company’s raw materials. It would be recalled that in November 2012, Cameroon Link organized an exchange workshop on the conflict of interest to question actions identified during monitoring of the code on marketing infant formulas across the territory. Serge Dzeukou of Nutrition Institute based in Accra, Ghana reiterated the fact that the Cameroon national code is not strong enough and monitoring strategies are weak. Accompanied by Armelle Bakoga, Field Operations Manager, it was revealed that mothers do not give enough time for verifying the products and reading the usage instructions on the packages. Some competing companies from Asia flood the market with uncontrolled infant products sold at very cheap prices. Labeling of infant formula products has been found to be a big problem, especially as the age limits are not respected by most companies producing the products in Asia. On the whole, Nestle is open to dialogue and positive exchanges for the protection of the world's mothers and babies. People working in Nestle are also mums and dads. Within the scope of the World Breastfeeding Week 2013 and the on-going community of learning programme, Cameroon Link will focus attention on mother and child health promotion, by organizing community educative talks for mother support groups, production of programmes on community radio to educate the young girl child and teen mothers, organise training on the code and share information from the first World Breastfeeding conference. Flyers, pamphlets, kits and other materials produced are destined for distribution during mass information and sensitization events across Cameroon. Mabiama Gustave, Nutrition lecturer and Counsellor of the Advanced Teachers Training College for Technical Education at the University of Douala is conducting a study in Cameroon on labelling, formulae composition and the national legislation. The investigation concerns the first and second ages milk packs. The study will also focus on the critical study of the boxes labelled and verification of compliance with Cameroon standards, the quality control of boxes in comparison to the label, content and standards.

CSCI and Cameroon Link Negotiate Collaboration Platform

By Helen Ayamba, camlinknews

A meeting to negotiate collaboration protocol between the Communal Socio-Intersectorial Centre (CSCI) in Mambanda-Bonaberi held on the 11th June 2013. Present at the meeting were Mrs. Tutu, an inspector of social affairs, Ms. Esther Mbango, Director of CSCI, James Achanyi-Fontem, Executive Director of Cameroon Link, Foyen Fidele, President of Community Health Mutual Insurance (MUTSAN) Mabanda, the head in charge of piloting community health training and counselling unit,the head of the social assistance unit and the centre's logistics agent. Introducing the meeting, Mrs. Tutu said, the Douala IV Council had always wished to animate the local population of its community by setting up a socio-intersectorial centre to facilitate the circulation of information, prevention of diseases and illnesses, capacity building of women and youths, while facilitating the population to have access to affordable minimum social services. The conception and elaboration of the pilot innovative project in Cameroon is inscribed within the frame work of developed decentralised cooperation action between the Douala IV Municipal Council and the Municipality of Strasbourg City in France and the International Development Research Institute, IRCOD Alsace. The CSCI will mobilise professionals of different development fields of intervention for exchange of coherent approaches and experiences in the initiation of health, socio-economic and cultural programmes for the promotion of development actions that are needed, adapted and beneficial to the local populations. The CSCI Cameroon Link collaboration protocol will create room for health professionals to accompany the population through the creation of information, education and development networks within the community health development space made available at the centre.

Esther Mbango studied management and accounting, worked with Dominique Savio Bonanjo before her recent employment as the director of the CSCI in Mambanda. Tutu participated from the initiation, creation and construction phases of the project. She informed Esther of the role of Cameroon Link in building capacities of local communities and suggested the initiation of a collaboration protocol to assist the nurse at the centre during for the animation of the health unit. Contributors for the functioning of the centre are Douala City Council, Douala IV Council, the ministry of public health, ministry of social affairs and IRCOD as a foreign donor. The wish of the director of the centre is to see activities take off at the centre, so the institution can generate some resources for its autonomy and sustainability in the future. The Communal Socio-Intersectorial Centre is offering learning opportunities in the areas cookery, hair dressing, dress making, information technology and networking, health information, education and counselling. Community based organisations (CBO) operating without permanent offices would be accorded space on request to hold their exchange meetings at the centre. Three conference halls and a crèche exist at the centre. A key role to be played by Cameroon Link will be advocacy in a way to attract sponsors of health and socio-cultural activities. A social assistance initiative will be to revitalize the community mutual health insurance scheme in Bonassama started by GIZ and the ministry of public health a few years ago.

Achanyi-Fontem told the audience at the meeting that Cameroon Link is already involved in three key social mobilisation and community capacity building initiatives supported by Farm Radio International, Plan International and the Commonwealth of Learning. Farm Radio is assisting Cameroon Link to educate smallholder farmers on how to improve on their wellbeing through management of their crops and resources. Plan International is supporting the malaria prevention campaign through the effective use of impregnated mosquito nets, while the Commonwealth of Learning is lending a hand on the improvement of community radio broadcasts through training on story design programming, where farmers, development organisations and broadcasters participate in the preparation and delivery of more attractive programmes on health and farming. The focus of the attention of the community of learning initiative is mother and child health care. He added that there are three key issues related to the development of the human being, which are food, health and information. Where one of the components is lacking, there has always been a crisis. He concluded by highlighting some of the impact and experiences of the projects realized with support from Farm Radio International and the Commonwealth of Learning.

Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention & Control

By Cooh Odette Behn, Cameron Link The prevention and control of non-communicable diseases was at the centre of a one day Community of Learning Issues workshop in Yaoundé on the 30th May, 2012 how these diseases affect lactating mothers, the family and relatives. The workshop was presided by the Sub-Director for disease prevention at the ministry of public health, Dr SEPDE OUMAROU, who emphasized that the problem has become a public health issue in Cameroon. Cameroon Link led by James Achanyi-Fontem chaired the session to adopt the statute and internal regulation of a consortium of associations and put in place an administrative board to work out strategies to prevent and control non-communicable diseases in Cameroon. These common diseases which are avoidable have socio-economic and ecological impact that limits access to treatment. Early screening can act as primary preventive measures that modify common risk factors in health promotion. Non-communicable diseases are classified in four groups which include hypertension, diabetes, la chronic renal infections and cardiovascular infections in the first group. Cancer, Asthma and other respiratory problems fall in the second group. Dental, visual and ear problems are classified third, while epilepsy, neurological infections, sickle cell disorder, rheumatism and mental disorders considered to be genetic infections are in the fourth class. WHO Statistics in 2010 showed that the prevalence of hypertension in men is 39.6%, while 34.2 % of women are affected in Cameroon. In 2008, mortality rate in men is put at 39.7 and 46.1 % in women. This is even worse for aged persons before 70 years as statistics are put at 63.1% for men and 62.6% for women. The situation is worsen by the limited financial resources to take care of patients. Focusing attention on cancer, it was revealed that there are 12.000 new cases of cancer registered each year, 25.000 persons are said to be currently living with cancer. This figure may double by the year 2020 experts say. The most frequent cancers of cancers affected the breasts, uterus, prostate gland and liver. More than 80% of persons affected do the first screening test only the infection is at an advanced stage and these persons die within the 12 months that follow diagnosis. Asthma et chronic respiratory affections are on the increase and morbidity is visible in Cameroon, because of the low age of the population, the rapid demographic increase, the decrease in infectious diseases, increase in urbanisation and industrialisation and progress changes in life style. Chronic respiratory infections occupy an important place in the epidemiologic profile. No real statistics exist on the number of deaf persons in Cameroon and a study undertaken in two primary schools in Yaounde in 2002 showed a 15.5% rate. The psychologic impact leads to stigmatisation, exclusion and poor academic performance. This is also leading to an increase on spending in family health, weak socio-professional performance and academic failures. 1% of the population of Cameroon has eye problems. The national prevalence of the blind is 3%. The main causes of blindness are cataract, glaucoma, trachoma, refractive opacity of the corn and diabetic retinopathy. The fight against blindness in Cameroon is witnessing an important development due to the training of local specialists and an increase in the technical know-how. There are 50 million cases of epilepsies around the world and 30 million of the cases are located in Asia, while 10 million are in Africa. In Cameroon, we find cases of epilepsies in all regions. The areas with high prevalence are Mbam (6%) , lékié (5,9%), DS . Mbengwi, DS. Batibo, Nkam Division, and in the north, Garoua has the highest number. These rates are highest in sub Saharan Africa, especially among persons aged between 10 and 29 years of affected populations. The lack of knowledge of the origin of epilepsy, economic difficulties and limited access to treatment available contribute to the expansion of the problem. Sickle Cell Disorder is a genetic disease, which wide spread around the world and 80% of children affected die before the age of 5 years. The population is advised to do a blood cells diagnosis before engaging marriage. On the other hand, rheumatism prevalence in Cameroon is put at 9.4% with women constituting 62.31% of persons affected. 225 out 1.000 inhabitants of Cameroon are said to have mental problems according to WHO statistics in 2008. The health professionals trained in this field is very low and the rate is put at 0.33 for 100.000 inhabitants, making only 1.79 for every 1.000. The risk factors of non-communicable diseases are tobacco consumption in all its forms. The statistics available show that 10.5% of men smoke tobacco, while 1.1% of women smoke. 8% of men smoke cigarettes, while 0.6 % women smoke cigarettes in Cameroon. This leads to overweight in 30.2 % in men and 40.5% in women. The obesity rate is 6.4% for men and 14.1% for women. The lack of participation in physical exercises and excessive intake of alcohol are also considered to have negative impact on the body. To find a solution these problems, an inter-sectorial Synergy has been put in place in Cameroon within the context of the health sector strategy 2001 – 2015 as recommended by the World Health Organisation. Civli society organisations and the community need to be strongly involved for the promotion information, education and communication action for behaviour change. According to WHO records, diabetes, hypertension of high blood pressure, heart attack, cancer, and chronic respiratory problems represent 31% of the causes of deaths in Cameroon and women are the most vulnerable group, though it affects without discrimination all other groups in the society. This comes to increase the health problems already caused by persistent transmissible infections. Within the framework of the community of learning initiative, it was agreed that a very serious action plan should be designed to tackles the difficult incidences that make the rural populations poorer as they spend their little resources for health consultations and treatment. Participants agreed that the situation constitutes an infringement to the socio-economic development of the population and a menace to the emergence of Cameroon. The determinants of most of the diseases are the social, cultural, environmental, attitudes, economic and health policies by the government. The development of health offers do not correspond to the increasing popular demands. The achieve positive results, a multi-sectored action plan is needed. The health strategic orientations need to reflect appropriate policy in the execution and delivery of services. This resides on consideration of the determining elements of the sectorial problems already registered. The actors must translate policies for the amelioration of transparency, competence, sharing of national resources and responsibilities in the management of public affairs. Health system decentralisation must be reinforced and partnership between the different actors should be developed. The community which is considered the beneficiary of the policies must be involved during planning and decision making process including organisation and management. The information system needs reinforcement in the management of resources, coordination and regulation of the control of activities. New approaches to health policy need to be defined which include the integration of economic opportunities and new technologies through promotion of partnerships to compliment public services. Three commissions were put in place as follows: Media, Public Relations and Sponsorship Commission in charge press coverage and the elaboration of media strategies and the road map for the expansion of activities. It is composed of : 1.Norbert ELOUNDOU ENGAMA 2.Mr. Anselme Ndopata (Yaoundé) 3.Mr Roger Mamoun (Yaoundé) 4.Mr Bebe Roger (Douala) 5.Mr Parfait SIKI 6.Mr Donchieu Fabien (Douala) 7.Mme Bikai Emilie Hortense (Douala) 8.Mr ALemju Funtu (Kumba) 9.Mr James Achanyi Fontem (Douala) The logistic commission is in charge of putting in place the functional modalities of the consortium and the organisation of materials and protocol services. This commission was constituted of: 1.MATANGA Philippe (Yaoundé) 2.M.MABEE Jean Marie (Douala) 3.M.DINGONG Francis 4.Mme BANDA NOMBOL Judith 5.Mme Mballa Pancrace Ep Songo (Douala) 6. Nlend Paul (Douala) 7. Mme Ngo Bindoo Hanna Ep Billè (Douala) 8.Mr. Irené Gaping Tchongo (Yaoundé) 9.Mlle Ndolo Bep Christine (Yaoundé) The third commission is in charge of planning, follow up, monitoring and evaluation. It is expected to set the base of the working groups and their priority interventions, which will be integrated in the road map of activities of the consortium. The member are: 1.Dr DISSONGO Jean II 2.Dr NNOMZO’O ETIENNE (YAOUNDE) 3.M. NDAYA ANDRE DEMAISON (YAOUNDE) 4.M. ZOMBOUDEM ZOMBOUDEM 5.M. KUEDA Zacharie. 6.M. MBONJO Martin Martial 7.M. SIME EWONDE Coordinating the discussions of reports by the commissions, James Achanyi-Fontem, the chairman, emphasized that participants should always consider the fact the consortium aims at federating energies for the mobilisation of human and financial resources. Advocacy action should tackle the actors of the public and private sectors. Women, youths, professionals, traditiona and religious authorities should be involved for action.

LFA-Local Fund Agent for the Global Fund Evaluates SUFI Project Execution at Cameroon Link

By Cooh Odette Behn, camlinknews The LFA-Local Fund Agent for the Global Fund, Mrs. Madeline Kayem, visited Cameroon Link on June 3, 2013. She told the Executive Director of Cameroon Link, that she had come to discuss how the Scaling Up Malaria for Impact Project went on in the Health District of Bonassama. It should be recalled that Cameroon Link was designated as the Civil Society Organisation coordinating the SUFI Project in Bonassama District. The first phase of the consultation ended in December 2012 and the LFA-Local Fund Agent for the Global Fund is evaluating the impact of the activities and outcomes in the different health areas covered by the civil society organisations in Cameroon. Also in attendance were Mr. Francis Dingong of the Regional SUFI Coordination office in the Littoral. He sat in during the discussion on behalf of Plan International Cameroon. Helen Ayamba, the CAMLINK SUFI Project Administrative Assistant and Cooh Odette Behn, Media Liaison Officer were Mrs. Kayem discussed the over all process of the 110 Community Based Organizations (CBOs) that were recruited to undertake home visits to verify the use of long lasting impregnated mosquito nets in the district. CAMLINK SUFI Project coordinator explained that out of the 110, only 78 showed up to participate, only 72 CBOs worked for six months and 62 CBOs were validated for payment by the end of the month of December 2012. On the role of the CBOs, he explained that the CBOs moved from house to house, verified whether LLIN were installed and where it had not been installed, the gather information on the reasons before educating them on the importance of the nets for preventing malaria, and the reason for the head count in each household to know whether the right number of mosquito nets were received. The LFA-Local Fund Agent for the Global Fund wanted to know how often the CBOS brought feedback from the field to Cameroon Link SUFI office. The answer given was “monthly”. How was the information collected? The CBOs were given monthly reporting forms for data collection and planning of their activities in the health with the help of the health area technical supervisor covered by the PR1 part of the Global Fund Project. She was shown one of the reporting forms and explained the type of information that was collected for evaluation purposes. The information from all the health areas were assembled into one monthly report that was shared with the Regional SUFI coordinating office and Plan Cameroon office in Yaoundé. She received information on the problems some of the CBOs encountered during their work as they moved from home to home. Some of the problems included lack of trust in the exercise, health taboos, stigmatization and so on. Some people refused the CBO SUFI investigators access to their houses because of no trust. Some areas were not accessible because of their marshy nature. On how often the Cameroon Link CSO went on the field, the response was monthly and that three supervision missions were programmed by Plan to make sure the project was executed smoothly. The feedback was verified and confirmed by regular national and regional coordination missions planned by the national project director, Dr. Kwake. Cameroon Link staff went on the field once every month to verify the feedback received from the CBOs. On the criteria of validating the reports from the CBOs, Mr. Achanyi-Fontem said, Plan set the criteria and marks were given over 14. Any CBO that got 7 or more marks out of 14 points was validated. These criteria were set based on the activities the CBOs had to carried out within the month, which included holding advocacy meetings, educative talks, home visits, planning for the next month and so on. Before leaving Cameroon Link office in Bonaberi-Douala, Mrs. Kayem collected the list of validated CBOs in Bonassama and their contact numbers. This was to facilitate accessing them while on the field to cross-check the information collected at Cameroon Link office. In effect, her plan was to visit a few CBOs in each health area and some of the homes that had been visited by the CBOs. From information received from the CBOs visited in Mambanda health area and Nkomba, the World Bank consultant was moved by some of the difficulties encountered by the CBOs during the LLIN usage assessment. From Bonassama, Mrs.Kayem had to undertake a similar exercise in Cite de Palmier. Bonassama and Cite de Palmier Health Districts were chosen for the evaluation exercise in the Littoral region of Cameroon.