CENTRE D’APPUI AUX INITIATIVES DE DEVELOPPEMENT DURABLE (CAIDD)
PO Box 208, Dschang, Cameroon
website:
www.angelfire.com/wi/cessdiTel/Fax: (1) 707.286.7703 Bank: no. BICEC 06838.754.243.38.001
Dschang, 5 October 2006
Mr Peter Lekelefac, President
Mrs Canisia Fontem, Secretary
Mrs Christine Asong, Treasurer
Mr Denis Nkemnji, Development officer
Mrs Gertrude Zinkeng, Development officer
Aims and objectives of CESSDI
CESSDI is actively involved in the education of the youth and development. Our activities are oriented towards children, women as a privileged target group, peasant farmer organization, urban organizations and promotion of the education of the girl child and the underprivileged.
The objectives of the NGO are to:
Inform and sensitize the less favored grass roots communities on problems related to their livelihoods;
Identify, implement and assess community or individual initiatives aimed at fighting against poverty, child labor, abuse and neglect so as to improve their living conditions;
Contribute to the increase in revenue generation within the grassroots populations, especially women;
Encourage rural populations to adopt sustainable practices for the management of natural resources.
Encourage other actors engaged in sustainable development activities.
Create collaboration ties with government authorities of Cameroon;
Create and reinforce partnerships with grassroots organizations as well as national and international development programs.
Organization Profile
Created on September 13th 1997, CESSDI was officially authorized by prefectoral odder no. 30/L/F34/BAPP of 18/2/98. The organization covers the West, Southwest and Northwest provinces of Cameroon. CESSDI is run by a body of rural development officers, agriculturists, researchers and farmers. This body elected a four-person committee to manage the affairs:
Our achievements
Some of our recent achievements are as follows:
1.
Organization of workshops on HIV/AIDS awareness
On 1st December 2004, we organized a workshop on HIV/AIDS in Lebialem divisional headquarters at Menji. The aim of this workshop was to sensitize the population about the devastating effects of this disease and the practical methods of prevention. The target population was made up of about 400 youths, drawn from secondary and high schools. This activity was coordinated by Ms Canisia Fontem.
2.
Organization of the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse On 19th November 2005 and 2006, CESSDI rallied different meeting groups made up of parents to sensitize them on the rights of the child and the consequences of child labor. About 100 parents drawn from the different meeting houses in Dschang were present in both events. This activity was led by Ms Getrude Zinkeng.
3.
Assistance and provision of school needs to AIDS orphansSince 2005, CESSDI has actively been involved in the provision of school needs to AIDS orphans in Lebialem and Menoua Divisions of Cameroon. During the 5th – 8th September 2006, we provided school needs (text books, exercise books and stationery) to AIDS orphans at the following primary schools:
• Government Practicing Primary school, Njeh;
• St George’s Catholic school, Beleuh;
• Government Nursery school, Azi; and
• St Francis of Assisi nursery school, Dschang.
This activity was coordinated by Ms Christine Asong.
4.
Sensitization and campaign against child labor
On the 18th November 2000, we organized a workshop to sensitize the population against child labor. This sensitization campaign took place in Njentse –Lebialem. On the 19th November 2001, a similar workshop was held in Djuttitsa – Menoua Division. During both workshops, the coordinator of CESSDI, Mr Peter Kunju Lekelefac laid emphasis on the training of the girl child rather than to use them as farm and kitchen tools. The saying goes that “train a man and you train an individual, train a woman and you train a nation”.
5.
Assistance and provision of basic needs to neglected children and the elderly
On the 19th March 1999, we organized a visit to the Government General hospital in Dschang. During the visit, we provided some basic needs (cooked food, soap, blankets and clothing) to some neglected elderly patients in the hospital. On 15th November 2002, CESSDI provided similar items to abandoned children in the Dschang Central prison to seven children. This activity was led by Mr Denis Nkemnji.
We would like the following five members to be part of this important conference:
Mr Peter Lekelefac
Peter holds a Teachers Grade I certificate. He is the head teacher of Government Bilingual School, Mbalmayo. He has attended several workshops on family welfare and human development. As an active and dynamic leader, he joined CESSDI from its inception in 1997 and was elected President.
His contacts: Mobile: +237.775.6639 Email: lekelefac10@yahoo.fr
Ms Canisia Fontem
Canisia was born 1st January 1972 in Lebang, Fontem, Cameroon. She holds a Postgraduate diploma in English from the University of Yaounde since 1995. She is an English language teacher at the Government Technical High School, Dschang, where she is Head of Department of English and coordinator of the Commonwealth club. She also serves in St Augustine’s Parish, Dschang as a Chorister. Canisia is also the vice president and field coordinator of the Women for Health, Education, Progress and Development (WHEPD), an NGO based in Douala, Cameroon. She joined CESSDI from its inception in 1997 as secretary. She is married and has four children.
Her contacts: Mobile: +237.756.4751 Email: cannyfontem@yahoo.com
Ms Christine AsongChristine was born 28th September 1950 in Lebang, Fontem, Cameroon. She holds a Bachelor in Education (BEd) and a certificate in Community Studies from the African Center, London. She is an English language teacher at the Government Grammar School (Lycée), Dschang and an Assistant chief examiner for Geography at the Cameroon General Certificate of Education (GCE O’ Level). She holds a traditional title of Her Royal Highness, the Mafua (Queen) of Fontem kingdom which enables her to cater for the interest of women in all aspects of life in her ethnic group. Consequently, she has access to all social and traditional groups which only men have the right to belong to, an asset that is exploited for CESSDI activities. Being a commander of women affairs in the Fontem kingdom, she has personally provided basic needs to the elderly, the needy women and school children. Christine joined CESSDI from its inception in 1997 as Treasurer. She is married and has four children.
Her contacts: Mobile: +237.768.3226 Email: ngwiasong2001@yahoo.co.uk
Mr Denis Nkemnji
Denis was born 1st February 1970 in Lebang, Cameroon. He holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Economics from the University of Buea, Cameroon since 1997. He joined CESSDI in 1999 where he has been serving as development officer. He is an energetic team worker and is very comfortable with public, strong record keeping and computer skills. He has also served on voluntary basis with several NGOs and organizations.
His contacts: Mobile: +237.722.7755 Email: dnkemnji@yahoo.com
Mrs Gertrude Nyilua ZinkengGetrude was born 20th November 1968 in Fontem, Cameroon. She holds a BA (Hons) degree in English and a Diploma in Secondary Education from the University of Yaounde since 1994. She is an English language teacher at the Government Bilingual High School, Dschang, where she coordinates both the English and Commonwealth clubs and also promotes creative writing among youths. She is also president of female staff socials and counselor on women empowerment at the same school. She also serves in St Augustine’s Parish, Dschang as a Christian initiator and counselor to youths. In Menoua Division, she is president of a microfinance groups called CECPROM, where she trains rural women on economic empowerment and managerial skills. Getrude joined CESSDI since 1997 as a development officer and counselor. She is married and has three children.
Her contacts: Mobile: +237.751.6436 Email: anugetrude@yahoo.fr
We hope to benefit from the experiences of other NGOs on the above topic as well as to share our own experiences and problems in this field.
Accept my best regards,
Mrs Canisia Fontem
Secretary, CESSDI-CAMEROON
.