Everybody affectionately calls her Meuma Claire; Lady Claire Ndi Samba has piloted the Non Profit Association, Relais Enfants-Parents (REPCAM) for a couple of years now, whose mission is to create a framework for development of children whose parents have been detained in prisons. To her, the future is rather positive.

Interview:

Claire Ndi Samba, once again finds herself at the front of the fight for the welfare of the children of prison inmates. Obviously, this is within the agenda of your association REPCAM. What has been the progress of your actions so far?

Dariche, thank you for this flower. The results, I must say is positive to the extent that we have more volunteers and we donate more than we used to.

We are still looking for budgets that will facilitate us to operate constantly. Another positive aspect is that the look on an inmate’s child has even changed a bit these days.

The child is not excluded from society as it was before, and it strengthens us because it was one of the goals that we set. That is the awareness for the acceptance of these innocent children who contributed nothing to the situation of their parents who are in prisons, but need the support of all because they are exposed to all kinds of diseases, social plagues and so on.

And what about the projects, especially as we move towards the festive season?

We have prepared adequately for the festive season as we usually do. We will visit three prisons that is ‘The Central Prison in Yaoundé’, ‘Yaoundé Main Jail’ and ‘Prison main Mfou’.

We will once again reunite these children with their parents. It will be the time of a grand celebration with their family. There will also be giveaways and support as part of the activities, in short, a moment of pure joy.

And when will these activities take place?

From December 9 to 21 and it will be a reason to give gifts to their parents. Also to the parents the opportunity a little more time with their children who they failed to hold.

As part of the CRTV’s weekend program ‘Tam Tam’ week, you had a lengthy discussion with the Ivorian artiste, Soum Bill. Are there any promises to that effect?

Yes, yes; not only with Soum Bill but especially with Chinese Yangeu. We will say that Soum Bill is known for his outbursts of hearts. He supports many noble causes so he readily agreed to go with these children who have been deprived of paternal and or maternal love.

Meanwhile, Chinese Yangeu promised to do something really beautiful for these children in December.