With the current crisis, one can say illiteracy has been on a rise especially as it targets school disruption. By May 2018, an estimated 42,500 children were out of school according to UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). These numbers almost doubled by the end of 2019.
80% of schools in the Anglophone regions were closed according to UNICEF by June 2019.
If we must take out poverty, its highly important we start by fighting the growing illiteracy amongst these people.
Clementine and Precious were displaced siblings from their home in Ndop. Though brilliant, they had to halt schooling because the conflict became so intense. The most they could do was to move to the Muea together with their mum, Mme Juliette to meet their father.
Mme Juliette, mother of Clementine and Precious
It was a long journey to make but they did and had barely settled when the conflict erupted there. They hit rock bottom when their father was shot dead as a result of cross fire shooting. Their mum (Mme Juliette) who was already finding her feet in a small trade in Muea had to flee again to Douala. Having lost almost everything this time, it was to be a fresh start. With no one to come to their rescue, things were so tough that school became the last thing on their mind.
After losing out on school that year, Mme Juliette tried sending them to school. She received the shock of her life after hearing she had to bribe her children's way into public a schools (cheap). She couldn’t afford the requested amount. She turned to a private school which was also expensive but cheaper. Time went by, they couldn’t school. Her son Paul dropped from school to learn a trade because the hardship was unbearable.
Today, having told their story under our #IDPdiaries series, SGIF was able to assist them go to school, start a small business for Mme Juliette and give them food.
"Thank you, thank you, I cannot thank you enough. God bless you".
Clementine said to the team with her knees to the ground.
Scholarship package for Clementine and Precious
SGIF had just given, she and her kid sister a scholarship that covered all the cost of their books/ other accessories and tuition.
Things have been so difficult ever since the crisis. My children have not been to school for 2 years now. And I don’t think they will attend school this year because even to feed is so challenging.
Mme Meriline.
Meriline is an IDP with 4 kids of which one is not yet of school age. 2 have already lost 2 years of school. Her husband suffers from a psychological trauma due to the razing of their home back in Oku, were they lived. This included Merilines shop which was joint to the building.
Once an animal trader, he could no longer go about his business with bullets flying in the air. As such, his business came to a standstill too. Today he is nowhere to even be found. She records, that he started acting like he was mad.
Mme Meriline and her Children (Courage, Praise and Favour)
Sometimes my kids go out to search for corrugate metals. We sell them to make a living.
Life is extremely tough for them as we saw a tiny room of 2mx2m accommodating 5 persons.
We shortlisted her children for our SGIF4idps scholarship program and today, we are sponsoring 3 of her children in a a public school. When we announced to her that her SGIF and its partners will be paying their full TUITION, UNIFORM and books, the joy on her face simply melted team members hearts.
It was a glimpse of new HOPE and that was enough reward for us because Giving hope is what we desire most.