Poor access to health and inadequate healthcare services remain a critical challenges for children in abject poverty. This is indeed affected by the living conditions of children with a disability in almost all the communities of the North West Region and Bambili in particular.
The Bambili Village is a small community located in north-west region of Cameroon. As a small rural community there is still a traditional belief that a child with a disability is bad luck. Consequently, children with a disability are often kept in doors for the fear and shame it brings upon the family. This problem most often causes acute depression and lack of belonging to these children. The consequences are loss of lives.
Our Lady of Consolation (OLC) Center Bambili, Cameroon is a day care center for children with special needs. Established in 2007, the Marist Mission Centre has supported this protect since its inception. The project currently has 17 children enrolled, 3 permanent staff and 1 volunteer. It runs from Monday to Friday with a structured daily program. The project aims to bring together children living with a disability in a socially acceptable and nurturing manner. Here the families can interact with each other, forming their own community, whilst they are educated within the structured program.
The program has many different elements including farming, counselling and guidance, financial assistance for medical services, an outreach program, help in the delivery of school curriculum and transportation to and from schools.
Whilst Australian Marist Solidary focuses on on the Asia-Pacific region, our strategic partnerships often mean our work extends beyond these boundaries.