The charitable association of the First Lady has prolonged activities to mark the Day of the African Child on June 23, 2016, in Pouma, Sanaga and Maritime Division. 

Children have rights to education, life and health. It is within these fundamental rights of children that the First Lady of Cameroon, Mrs Chantal Biya, who is also Founding President of the Circle of Friends of Cameroon (CERAC), sent a delegation of members of her association with diverse gifts to vulnerable children, youths and school institutions in Pouma Sub division in the Sanaga Maritime Division of the Littoral Region, yesterday June 23, 2016.

Heading the delegation to Pouma was the Minister of Social Affairs, Mrs Nguene née Pauline Kendeck, who also doubles as the Vice-president of the College of Advisers in CERAC. She reiterated that for over 20 years, Mrs Chantal Biya, through CERAC showed consciousness of the importance of protecting and promoting the rights of children.

Nguene née Pauline Kendeck said the event was in line with activities to commemorate the 2016 Day of the African Child which took place last June 16 on the theme; “Conflict and Crisis in Africa: Protecting All Children’s Rights”. Aimed at giving assistance, joy, comfort and hope to children and youths in distress, CERAC’s head of delegation, on behalf of the First Lady, handed didactic material, sporting equipment, toys for children, tailoring apparatus, agricultural tools, food items, hygiene and sanitation material  to vulnerable children,  schools and training centres for youths in the sub division.

Nguene Pauline said CERAC is not just commemorating the memory of children in Soweto, South Africa who were killed during the Apartheid regime of the 70s, but is also working in line with the vision of the Head of State to improve the livelihood of children. Noting that the needs of all vulnerable children are enormous with limited means to satisfy them, CERAC’s head of delegation said it was an occasion for other goodwill people to join CERAC in meeting the needs of all children in the country. The children were told not only to make good use of the gifts but to also respect their parents, be discipline and studious in school, as well as know the emblem of the country.

Different speakers at the event took turns to laud CERAC and its founding president for not only visiting them but for also bringing gifts which will henceforth improve the living conditions of children amongst whom are orphans, children infected by HIV and those of HIV parents. To the beneficiaries, CERAC’s presence at Pouma was a dream comes true. Artists such as X-Maleya graced the day with music that took almost everyone to the dancing floor.