Some 579 children whose parents are serving time in the Yaounde Maximum Security Prison, Kondengui and the Yaounde and Mfou Main Prisons in the Centre Region, over the weekend received stationery, school bags and other material to enable them return to school for 2015/2016 academic.

The gifts, which included drinks, mineral water, chocolates and biscuits, were offered by the ‘Relais Enfants-Parents du Cameroun,’ REPCAM, under the leadership of Claire Mimboe Ndi-Samba.

Handing over a portion of the donation on Saturday, August 29, 2015, in the Yaounde Maximum Security Prison, Kondengui, she noted that this year’s financial donations, which came up to FCFA 3.5, were the highest ever raised by her association in nine years.

She recounted how they worked relentlessly since July 20, 2015, raising over FCFA 1 million of the amount on the Internet through volunteers and charities. Claire Mimboe Ndi-Samba described the gathering as an ideal opportunity for parents in prison to commune with their visiting children.

The representative of the prison management, Nogol Martin Luter, noted that being in prison was not the end of life. He restated management’s resolve to show love to inmates, encouraging them to feel free to raise any concerns they might have. He expressed hope that prisoners will serve out their terms well in order to return to their families as changed people.

While imploring the pupils and students to make utmost use of the donation Nogo Martin Luter encouraged REPCAM to extend its yearly assistance to the children of inmates of other prisons in the country.

The colourful occasion was spiced with music by artistes such as O b’ Jazz, Adela Bikim, Prosby, Alain Junior and Bus Man. Mini Miss Cameroun, 11-year-old Lorele? Moneomble was also present to hand over gifts and encourage the pupils and students.