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In Cameroon 50% of the population are living in extreme poverty. There is no social welfare system, free education or free healthcare. If you cannot afford school fees or textbooks for your children then they will not go to school. If you cannot afford nutritious food then your children will become malnourished. If your children get typhoid, malaria or fever and you cannot afford the treatment then your children will die.
Under these conditions life in Cameroon is hard, however when a parent dies, both parents die or a child is abandoned, life can become desperate.
Orphaned children will usually be taken in by relatives providing shelter and basic food, however if (and often when) these relatives begin to die through disease, there is no longer a provider for the family and the children. When basic schooling, medication and food cannot be provided for the orphans, this is when BERUDEP will step in and try to find an outside provider or sponsor.
The BERUDEP sponsor an orphan project was introduced in 2006 and underwent a pilot phase with a limited number of sponsors trialling the programme throughout the year. Since 2008 BERUDEP has been able to provide a successful programme that sponsors can trust will deliver on its promises. Check out the programme details below and sign up to be an orphan sponsor today.
Meet a child: Rogan Afuma
Rogan is 7 years old and is in primary 2 at his local school. Rogan became an orphan at 2 years old when his mother died of meningitis and his father died a month later. The family believes that the father’s affliction was caused by his younger brother (through witchcraft). The successor to the family also died and the next successor was the brother who was believed to have caused the father’s death so the care of the Rogan and his two sisters was left to their 50 year old grandmother (Margaret Bi).
Margaret Bi took Rogan and his sisters in and is currently paying for their school fees. Margaret's husband died recently so she is the sole income earner to provide for the three children. Margaret has a farm which in a good season produces a large enough yield to sell surplus food at the market for cash. In the poor seasons however there is no income available from agriculture.
Learn more and become an orphan sponsor today
BERUDEP are able to answer any questions you have about becoming a child sponsor now or during your sponsorship. Contact us now
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to become a sponsor and give a child a chance at a better life.
How does sponsorship work?
Sponsorship of a needy child through the BERUDEP program requires a monthly donation.
As a sponsor you will receive a full profile of the child, such as Rogan, as well as information about the host family, field worker and duties to be carried out by the field worker.
Each child will have the following provided by their sponsorship through BERUDEP and the field worker:
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A healthy diet to combat malnutrition
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Primary and Secondary education – annual fee, registration fee, exam fees
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Textbooks and notebooks
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School uniform
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Clothes and shoes
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Annual medical check-up
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Annual dental check-up
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Emergency medical treatment
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Medication
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University fund (optional)
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Counselling, advise and assistance
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Monthly visit from field worker and international volunteer
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After school education programme (ASEP)
In return, the child will send a quarterly letter and pictures to you, the sponsor. BERUDEP will send a copy of the monthly accounts specifying what has been spent and how it has benefited the child. A report form the field worker will be enclosed along with a copy of the monthly logbook completed by the field worker, volunteer and host parents on the field visits.
What is the main idea behind the project?
The main idea of this Project is to connect the orphans from the Belo area (North West Province of Cameroon) with outside sponsors who will support the child until the end of its education. The sponsors cover all the basic needs of one particular child over the years through a monthly donation.
Do the children live in an orphanage?
No. According to the Kom tribe tradition, relatives take them in. But very often the relatives provide only shelter and have no money to cover other needs of the orphan.
What does the monthly donation cover?
The donation covers: • School needs (registration fees, exam fees, textbooks and school accessories, uniform, shoes) • Medical needs (regular check-ups and emergency cases) • Clothing (a set of clothes twice a year) • Food supplements for children up to 12 years old
Do the children/host families receive money in cash?
No, they never get cash. The people who run the Project (international volunteers & fieldworkers) take the sponsored kids to the market and buy the things they need, or they go to school/hospital together and pay there for the children.
How will I know that my money reaches the child?
The Project is run by international volunteers. Moreover, it is designed so that there are always two persons present when spending the money: an international BERUDEP volunteer and a fieldworker. They always request receipts that are later archived for evidence. Every child has a separate account book in which all the expenses are specified. Sponsors get copies of these account books every three months.
What happens when the Project Supervisor (an international volunteer) goes back home?
The Project Supervisor has to be a long term volunteer (available for at least 6 months). The primary task of a new Project Supervisor is to find the next Supervisor. The post of a Project Supervisor is a very desired one.
What do sponsors get in return?
Once every three months the sponsors receive a report from the Project Supervisor along with copies of the account book and a letter from the child.
Can I choose a child?
Yes. Sponsors are offered a choice of orphan profiles and can choose a child they want to support. The presented profiles are always high priority cases.
What is an orphan profile?
It is a document describing the situation of a child, its family story, education progress, medical needs, etc. It also describes the host family and says what the cost is for this particular child. The profile also contains photos.
What is the monthly cost of the sponsorship?
The monthly cost ranges from CFA 15,000 to CFA 30,000 (£15-£25/ €20-€30/$25-$45). It stays the same over the years and takes into account for inflation.
Why is the cost different for every child?
The cost is calculated on the basis of a careful cost assessment and needs analysis. It varies depending on the child’s age and education progress. It also differs depending on the sponsor’s decision whether to finish the sponsorship after secondary school or after the university.
What if I am interested in supporting a child but cannot afford to pay this much?
Consider joining your finances together with your relatives or friends and share the expenses with them.
How many children are currently covered by the Project?
The Project currently covers more than 50 children.
Why is this Project good for you?
This is a small Project so you are not anonymous. Becoming part of this Project is like entering a family. Sponsors enjoy the link to the supported children a lot!
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To join the Project, please
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or visit http://sponsor-an-orphan.blogspot.com/ for up to date information and news.
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