we wish you a fruitful 2007!

An update from BERUDEP to begin the new year.

A brand new project
BERUDEP has opened two Garisson Restaurants: one in Njinikom (September) and the other one in Belo (late October). The restaurants  have been initiated by BERUDEP widows and are intended to provide a source of income for both the widows and BERUDEP's development work. The restaurants offer a nice range of dishes and their initial average turnout is now increasing and the project looks promising as a successful income generating activity.

Sponsor an orphan news 
The red box mentioned in earlier news and photographed here is showing two of the sponsored orphans (Immaculate and Joel) receiving a parcel from their European sponsor. The parcel contained clothes, photographs of the sponsors, a sewing set for Immaculate (she likes sewing), amongst other things. The kids have benefited from the help a great deal and were thrilled. What a wonderful Christmas present!

We now have 9 orphans sponsored, with the newest orphan; Evette, being notified yesterday that she's able to join the program. Evette is therefore expected to get back to school shortly. Dagmara who is looking after the project will have Evette enrolled for school and soon they'll do some school shopping together, i.e. books, stationery, etc. The sponsorship changes the lives of these kids here! For example, Evette has been virtually idle as far as education goes - without any ability for schooling and since yesterday on, when we told her we've found a sponsor for her, her life will be totally different! You can see the profound joy they're overwhelmed with whenever they're helped. It's so rewarding!

ASEP (After School Education Program) is part of Sponsor an Orphan Project. Kids are given free, supplementary classes three times a week (currently there're approx. 30 kids attending). Also, twice a week the kids are given a cup of milk (a dietary supplement) before or after the ASEP classes. The milk is brought over from Njinikom, a nearby town and the kids enjoy it a lot.

Eco-Tourism news
Although the Eco-tourism programme has been running for years, the Visitor's Centre is now complete and up and running for the first time with folders, photos and leaflets well displayed. Everyone here is ready to receive guests and if you decide to participate it will be Godwin or Enoch who are the ones who can receive bookings, arrange and guide your trip. This is a programme that really gives back to both the communities participating and the visitor experiencing it all.

Health news
The Eye Clinic is running well after our volunteer Margaret left Cameroon after spending a year setting up the programme. Isaac, a BERUDEP staff member is providing regular, free eye check-ups for the general community in Belo, Njinikom and Fundong,  once a week in each of the towns. We are greatly in need of donations in the form of used glasses. The donation of glasses of any type or strength will be greatly appreciated.

Agriculture news
The sales of medicinal plants have increased recently. This was mostly due to the increase in the sale of medicinal tea sales.
Honey production is moving on slowly with some difficulties. Recently BERUDEP has received a grant from A.Q.A., an Italian organization. This enabled us to build hives for 10 Cameroonian Common Initiative Groups working with bees to produce honey. Thanks to the grant, we are expecting our honey production to grow in the coming years. Profits from honey sales help to cover the running costs of our development work.

BERUDEP is going from strength to strength and we have so many people to thank for their time, skills, participation and strength from both in Cameroon and out.

A happy new year to you all - stay in touch and send us your comments, wishes and support for our poverty reducing initiatives in 2007. God Bless.