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In this issue:
BERUDEP CARRIES OUT SENSITISATION ON WASTE MANAGEMENT
BERUDEP volunteers, Alyssa Newton and Laurie Craft in collaboration with the Belo Council recently educated and sensitized the population of Belo on the dangers of improper disposal of plastic. An age old problem that they wanted to bring to the Kom people's attention.
"Plastic bags are widely used among Kom people for multiple purposes and after their use they are often improperly disposed of, either thrown away or burned. Plastic is non-bio degradable and contains toxic chemicals that can cause air pollution when burned" they explained.
The team conducted research on waste management and developed a plan which involved digging a waste pit for plastic waste. A pit digging celebration was held to motivate Belo locals on the responsible use of the pit and to inform the community about its existence.
This research also revealed that the older generations remember the traditional method of using baskets and are willing to return to them. The younger generation in comparison are harder to convince of the importance of health and environment versus the convenience of plastic.
The mayor of Belo has promised to strategically place trash cans in Belo to facilitate the proper disposal of plastic. An information board has been erected in front of the Belo BERUDEP office entitled “the dangers of plastic”. The board provides information on the environmental impact of plastics to help educate the local community and promotes traditional methods.
BERUDEP SETS UP A NEW ACCOUNTING SYSTEM
BERUDEP has a new accounting system. Staff members: Enock, Joan, and Mercy among others received a three-day intensive training. The course focused on the formation of accounting codes for the organization’s financial transactions. Staff also learned how to prepare the daily vouchers and make entries into the computerized system. The new system aims to clearly define income and expenditure. Over the coming months staff will be getting acquainted with the new system to increase the effectiveness of record keeping and ensuring transparency in the organization.
We wish to thank the BERUDEP Board of Trustees Chairman who is an auditor by profession, for setting up the accounting program which will go a long way to bring some credibility to the organization.
NWADO INCREASES OUTREACH IN BOYO DIVISION
BERUDEP will be acting as a focal point for civil society organizations in Boyo Division. BERUDEP assumed this position by acclamation in an outreach meeting recently organized at the BERUDEP office in Belo, by the North West Development Association (NWADO). NWADO is a network of development organizations which aims to reduce duplication of resources and focuses on getting a strong responsive voice to advocate on behalf of civil society organizations. NWADO aims to strengthen the capacity building of member organizations in the areas of information, resource mobilization and training.
This outreach activity brought together participants from 20 Common Initiative Groups (C.I.Gs).
The meeting equally presented a good forum for development advocates to learn about NWADO and their activities. It was decided in the meeting that BERUDEP shall liaise between Civil Society Organizations in Boyo Division and NWADO.
BERUDEP BRINGS DEVELOPMENT TO DOORSTEPS
In Fundong Sub division, 17 village-based volunteers drawn from 7 villages have been called upon to act as development advocates in their respective communities. The Director of BERUDEP made this call last week, in a two-day training organized under the auspices of BERUDEP. The two-day capacity building training was organized in line with the organization’s objective to empower participants on the need for alternative development and for a better representation of these communities in developmental activities.
Participants were drilled on the following livelihood activities for the provision of alternate sources of income:
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modern bee farming techniques;
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vetiver grass promotion;
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medicinal plant management, application, sustainable harvesting and processing.
Participants gained knowledge in the workshop expected to bring individual and collective benefits, particularly in the areas of free access to information, environmental protection, good health, improved soil fertility and increased crop yields. The village based volunteers will liaise between BERUDEP and the communities concerned. BERUDEP promised to organize more seminars to strengthen this relationship.
BERUDEP EXPANDS ACTIVITIES: environmental education
In Belo and Njinkom Sub Divisions, 100 students and pupils have received lectures on the uses and importance of vetiver grass in the last 10 weeks, a program supported by BERUDEP. These students/pupils will also witness the planting of vetiver grass in their respective institutions. The introduction of this grass to Boyo secondary and primary schools is aimed at protecting school environments from unwanted pests and improving the yields of the school garden produce. The planting is programmed for April 2009 with the arrival of the first rains.
Vetiver grass is well known for its ability to control soil erosion, increase soil fertility and conserve moisture, in the demarcation of boundaries, fire tracing and prevention of landslides. Most head teachers, including environmental club leaders have not only indicated the need for the planting of vetiver grass but have requested BERUDEP to initiate the further teaching of environmental education in these schools.
BERUDEP CHRISTIAN WOMEN FOR DEVELOPMENT IN FUNDONG PROVIDES SUPPORT TO ORPHANS
The BERUDEP Christian Women for Development, Fundong branch, recently donated food items to 70 orphans in HARVEST CHILDRENS HOME orphanage situated at Fujua Road in Fundong. The donation of these food items (maize, beans, cocoyam, etc) through BERUDEP Christian Women for Development forms part of the social work of BERUDEP. Activities such as this take place every year and this year the women decided to focus on the orphans in Fundong area and in particular to HARVEST CHILDRENS HOME.
HARVEST CHILDRENS HOME enrolls children into the program from diverse backgrounds so far as the kid is 3 years of age. This initiative was started in 2004 by the Baptist Christian community and since then the initiative has grown from strength to strength. The director of BERUDEP took part in the visit that ended up with warm smiles on the faces of the orphans and their staff.
Benefits garnered by the Belo Population from Tourism.
The population of Belo and its environs have benefited enormously from responsible tourists who come to Kom. The tourists come to learn about the culture and lifestyles of the indigenous people and often remain working as volunteers in the village. Working for the volunteers becomes more enjoyable following their experience as tourists because they now know a little more about the terrain and the people. BERUDEP works to bridge the gap between the haves and have nots in the community and It’s this important work that sees the tourists stay for extended periods.
Since the 26th of October BERUDEP has had 31 tourists visit from Belgium, Spain and America. The diversity of visitors brings new skills and interaction which benefits the community. BERUDEP has helped trained host families for the tourists and friendships have been created bringing mutual benefits. Some of the benefits for the families have included writing materials, toys and medicines, as well as a donation of 300 euros to cover tuition for children which was granted to HARVEST CHILDRENS HOME.
BERUDEP works to increase the tourists experience by continually improving its tourism programs, aiming for a level of perfection that will always provide new areas to work on.
The foreigners BERUDEP received from October are as follows:
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In October 2008, six tourists from the Joker Company in Belgium visited and left satisfied with their experience
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Between October and December four tourists arrived later travelling to other parts of Cameroon
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December 26 another group arrived from the Joker Company. This group was made up of ten people who spent three days in the home stay program.
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December 30 - Jan 2, 2009, our partner KIRABO in partnership with Middle Africa brought in a delegation of eleven who spent three nights in Kom. The 1st night was spent with Kom families, the second and third nights spent with Fulani families in Fundong. This group also did the Belo public walk, went to Laikom, the child care centre and Orphan harvest home.
THANKS FOR READING BERUDEP QUARTERLY.
WE WISH you a happy time and a PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR
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