CFDP Branches Out

CFDP sessions have begun with our third school in Cameroon!! Our homebase is in Kumba in the South-west Region. Our first satellite school is located in Nkambe in the North-west Region. These are the only two regions in Cameroon where English is the primary language. French dominates the other eight regions. Enjoy this narrative provided by Peter.

The launching of CFDP activities in Nkambe took place on Thursday 27th of January 2011.There were thirty students who participated, 17 girls and 13 boys, ranging in age from 12 to 16. The students were first of schooled on the objective of CFDP by the Cameroon coordinator, Peter Ngwane, and then introduced to the reality of the program. After the session, the youth were encouraged to give feedback. The feedback was positive and more students are showing lot of interest to join. We are looking forward to carry on and keep the flag flying.

Nkambe the head quarters of Donga Mantung Division Of the North-west Region of Cameroon was created as an administrative unit in 1948 by the then British colonial administration and administered as an integral part of the then Southern Cameroons with direct supervision from the Governor General of Nigeria.

Today Nkambe has grown beyond leaps and bounds and is fast becoming a cosmopolitan town. Despite the indicators of modern development found in Nkambe such as schools, hospitals, telecommunication, churches, and an earthen road network from the Region’s headquarter, Bamenda. Nkambe still remains a very traditional society with all the facets of the culture of the people still intact.

Traditional Dancers at the Fon's (Chief's) Palace in the Holy Village of Mankon in the North-west Region

Many factors have hindered the development of the area and left this community especially vulnerable to the spread of HIV/AIDS. The situation of this deadly disease in this region is so serious that, according to a medical officer of the Nkambe Government General Hospital, an estimated six out of ten patients coming for consultation at the hospital are diagnosed to be HIV positive. Their ages typically range from sixteen to thirty-five years.

Therefore the need to create awareness through educative programs to empower youth is an incredible way to curb the wrath of this deadly virus and build a future that will be promising for the advancement of this community. Long Live CFDP!

Government Technical High School (GTHS) Nkambe was founded in 1990 and stands as the Mother Technical school throughout the Division. It has a population of approximately 700 students divided into two sections: commercial and industrial. GTHS Nkambe offers courses such as Office Automation, Accounting, Administrative Communication and Action, Home Economics, Clothing Industry, Wood work, Public Works, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Surveying.