CREN is a unique initiative of the Njinikom BERUDEP Women's group, created in July 2003 and successfully providing disadvantaged groups with skills, training, education and psychological support, as tools to work their way out of poverty and hopelessness.

read about CREN's results from 2006 or continue reading to learn more about what we do.

BERUDEP’s center for Rehabilitation and Education in Njinikom (CREN) is an initiative which seeks to help the most affected and most neglected groups of local society in improving their standard of living. It is one of the very first projects of this type in North-West Province of Cameroon.

CREN teaches groups such as disabled persons, widows and orphans how to generate income by manufacturing small handcrafts or objects for every-day-use, helping to improve living conditions and disposable income. The aim is to teach groups who are currently dependent on others to become less reliant on external aid, and to increase their self reliance.

The concept for CREN was created in July 2003 when the first meeting was held to turn the concept into a working project. Under the direction of Anna Komalua (Chair of BERUDEP womens group Njinikom and current Director of CREN), members of this group now meet weekly and work together to ensure the centre is being as effective as possible at helping the poor and disabled among their society. Within the first year the group identified the most needy beneficiaries, visited severely sick and disabled in their own homes, gathered information about the most pressing problems in the community and tried to assist the most affected and endangered among them.

With the help of two overseas volunteers from BERUDEP in October 2004, the information was gathered into a database and the project elaborated on to progress to a working and effective centre. By December 2004 basic funds had been raised and preparation for the opening began.

Methods used by CREN to improve the living conditions of its beneficiaries

HANDICRAFTS– trainings on weaving baskets, bamboo mats, crafting instruments (drums, rattles, flutes etc), bottle-gourds, raffia bags, African art (wooden figures, masks), jewellery and furniture carving are provided to CREN members with the idea of encouraging participation in income-generating activities. Hand-made objects of this type can be easily sold locally providing a basic livelihood.

TAILORING AND KNITTING– training in sewing clothes, producing wraps, baby layettes and head kerchiefs, all commonly-possessed itmes and skills amongst the local community. 

GARDENING AND CROP HUSBANDRY– trainings help participants to improve their productivity and quality of their harvest.

EDUCATION– activities of this type are directed towards disabled children and orphans and include: afternoon classes for children whose families cannot afford school fees, compensatory lessons for children with learning disabilities, art, drama, drawing and painting courses, small crafts for children, games and sport activities. Most of the classes are led by qualified teachers from local schools.

HEALTH ADVICE AND MEDICAL CONSULTATIONS– awareness of health and hygiene issues among the local community is low  and many can not afford to visit a doctor for health problems. BERUDEP staff provide members with free consultations about medicinal plants and HIV/AIDS knowledge, while qualified personnel carry out series of talks concerning proper diet, nutrition, women’s health and family planning and first aid in emergency situations amongst others.

COMMON PRAYERS AND MUTUAL SUPPORT ACTIVITIES– addressed to the least dexterous, and physically weak members of CREN. Consultations with a psychologist, counselling on suffering and stress alleviation, mutual support groups for widows and relatives of disabled persons, as well as Bible readings aimed at helping people seeking spiritual relief.

CREN's fundraising activities continue as they look to increase the services they can provide in the local community. Your help is always appreciated and if you can help with a monetary donation please donate through the BERUDEP account reference name, CREN. 

2006 CREN NEWS:

• CREN - Center for Rehabilitation and Education in Njinikom has been holding classes for widows three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday). Currently, there are 456 widows in 3 different classes.
• Godwin Mawoh donated rice to CREN, Volunteers donated chickens to 23 widows.
• Children of the widows have been granted elementary school entrance fees (CFA 1500 each) by the BERUDEP Scholarship Program (headed by Godwin Mawoh).
• A volunteer donated uniforms to 17 orphans schooling at CREN.
• 32 widows are now attending literacy classes.
• The After School Program for children (ASEP) has been running with 59 children attending.
• The Secondary School Teaching Program has unfortunately not run smoothly because of lack of teachers.
• Part of the interest earned from the Njinikom BERUDEP Restaurant covers healthcare and other urgent needs of the vulnerable population (coordinated by CREN).