Some inhabitants of Yaounde have joined the international community to commemorate the International Day of Happiness this 20th March 2015.

Activities to mark the day in Yaounde took place at the Les Maximes Prestige Nursery and Primary School Etoug-ebe, under the leadership of an NGO, Cameroon Leading Women Organisation (CLEWO).

The ceremony was a balloon-release one during which pupils of the institution inflated balloons which were to be released into the air as a sign of joyful celebration.

Those present on the event grounds were also handed messages on happiness, on pieces of paper.

The Chief Executive Officer of CLEWO, Njomoh Maureen Ngunge explained that the essence of the event is to promote happiness as a lifestyle. She emphasised that her NGO chose to celebrate the day with children because they are genuinely happy people.

Ms Njomoh Maureen also indicated that this is the first time the day is being commemorated in Cameroon.

Prior to the day, CLEWO had organised a two-week online campaign during which discussions were held on everything linked to happiness. The campaign also featured a Facebook “selfie competition”, which demanded that entrants send in self-taken pictures of themselves to a specified address. The winner of the selfie competition will be announced next week.

The Director of the “Les Maximes” school, Asong George was visibly happy with the success of the initiative, saying the children will go back home as happy as the day demands.

The International Happiness Day was set aside by the United Nations Organisation to recognise the importance of happiness and wellbeing. The day was first commemorated internationally in 2013.