HOW MANY ARE THEY, WHERE DO THEY COME FROM AND WHY?
TENTATIVE ANSWERS IN OUR PLAN OF ACTION 2018/2020 IF YOU JOIN THIS FIGHT!
YAOUNDE, 30 November and December 7-11, 2017—Yaoundé, the Capital city of Cameroon vibrated at the rhythm of GivHOPE fundraiser event to the profit of street children, teens and youths. How many are they and where do they come from and why?
Cameroon has no concise statistics on how many street children are roaming the street of big cities in Cameroon nor does it know exactly where they are originating from and why? That is the reason why GivHOPE launched a fundraiser event on November 30 to raise the equivalent of US$100,000.00 or XAF 60 millions to carry out an exhaustive survey on this shameful phenomenon as part of its plan of action 2018/2020.
GivHOPE is today at its third year of existence and has already withdrawn and settled down 42 street children and related families in various domains: income generating activities, socio-professional and job opportunity placements, mentoring, counseling and tutoring programs. More than 30% of our annual budget covered these direct aids to our interns and already back to their homes children, teens and youths.
The three coming year are set for GivHOPE to go remote, in the regions where most of street children come from and sit down with families, administrative authorities, councils, religious and traditional leaders, communities and the children themselves to find out why and how to curb this scourge and reduce or prevent the next generations from going to the streets. The good will is there but means are not. That's our operation 100 kids out the streets by the end of the year 2020 and a plea to all to come and join the fight!
Our fundraiser event was honored by the President of Urban City Councils of Cameroon Cities, represented by Madam Bongo who gave the opening remarks and many faith group leaders among whom Redeemed Church, Mountain of Fire, Full Gospel Mission, Revival Center International, Essos Mosque, etc.
This event is a première at GivHOPE and the turnout was amazing because more than 100 people from all works of life showed up and we give special thanks to the media that abundantly covered the event before, during and after. Wonderful are You, Groupe Anecdote (Vision4), Journal le Jour, Mutations, Afrique Media, Sentinelle, La Nouvelle Expression and CRTV!
The second event in which GivHOPE took part was the Open Doors organized by the National Commission of Human Rights and organizations dealing with human dignity issues. GivHOPE showcased its children know how and artistic talents through exhibition of art works composed of plastic arts, mosaic objects and others.
A special guest honored by his presence, GivHOPE stand, Mr. Malick Sow, President of the UN Working Group right from Senegal. “I have created a platform like this in Senegal that deals with vulnerable children including street children. I congratulate you for this laudable initiative, said Mr. Sow.