Construction of a Safe House in Bamenda

Protection, Safety & Support for children in need

Emergency aid in Bamenda, Cameroon

The prevailing crisis in Cameroon must not be a forgotten crisis. It was immediately clear to me that we had to help there and I am very happy that this project has now come to life.

Board of Directors of the Regine Sixt Children's Aid Foundation

When Alexander Sixt, member of the board of the Regine Sixt Children's Aid Foundation, read the newspaper at the breakfast table on a Sunday morning, one article captivated him. The focus was on the devastating effects of the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon, which is affecting many people, especially children. This crisis is considered a forgotten crisis and it was his personal concern to offer help in this area and not to forget those affected.

Aus seiner Initiative heraus ist dieses Projekt gewachsen, bei dem wir gemeinsam mit Malteser International in Bamenda, im Nord-Westen Kameruns, den Bau eines Safe House für konfliktbetroffene Kinder finanziert haben. Das Haus wird insbesondere Flüchtlingen und wirtschaftlich benachteiligten Kindern einen sicheren Schutzraum bieten. Bis zu 500 Kinder im Alter zwischen 5 und 17 Jahren sollen dort pro Jahr nicht nur einen Platz zum Spielen vorfinden, sondern auch für einen Moment die traumatischen Erfahrungen, die sie bereits in ihren jungen Jahren erleben mussten, vergessen können. Zudem haben Kinder dort die Möglichkeit schulische Versäumnisse nachzuholen und Bildung zu erhalten. Da das Bildungssystem in der anglophonen Krise ein primäres Ziel von Attacken ist, liegt uns dieser Aspekt besonders am Herzen.

Come with us to Barmenda and get an insight into this project through the following video:

Kinder sind in dieser vergessenen Krise vor allem die Leidtragenden. Sie können aufgrund des Boykotts separatistischer Gruppierungen gegen das Schulsystem nicht mehr zur Schule gehen. Durch den Bau des Safe House schaffen wir einen Platz, wo einige dieser Kinder ihren verpassten Unterricht nachholen können und einen sicheren Ort zum Spielen finden.

Board of Directors of the Regine Sixt Children's Aid Foundation

Behind the scenes

Information for a better understanding

WHAT EXACTLY IS A SAFE HOUSE?

A safe house is a protected place for those in acute danger. It offers protection, safety and targeted support measures for children affected by armed conflict or violence. This safe haven is designed to provide children with temporary shelter, food, medical care, psychosocial support and, in this case, educational opportunities to help them recover from the effects of the conflict. They should thus experience a strengthening of their well-being and stability.

Why do children in Bamenda need a safe house?

Cameroon has been experiencing three major humanitarian crises for several years, which have had a devastating impact on the population. In the north of the country, the Chad Basin crisis has led to considerable security problems due to armed conflicts between non-state groups and the Nigerian government. Conflicts in the Central African Republic, Niger and Chad have also led to an influx of displaced persons. In addition, there is a separatist civil war in the Anglophone Northwest-Southwest regions of Cameroon, which is considered a forgotten crisis. Since 2016, there has been ongoing violent unrest due to tensions between the majority French-speaking population and the English-speaking minority. This Anglophone conflict is aimed directly at the education system, which is why schools and children are a direct target.

Since 2016 there has been ongoing violent unrest due to tensions between the majority French-speaking population and the English-speaking minority. This Anglophone conflict is aimed directly at the education system, which is why schools and children are a direct target. Children affected by conflict may be at risk of various forms of violence, such as kidnapping, torture, sexual abuse or recruitment into armed groups. A safe house offers them protection from these threats. Over 700,000 people have been displaced within the country, with women, children and people with disabilities being particularly hard hit. The crisis is being exacerbated by a cholera outbreak in the south-west of the country since early 2022 and looming food shortages due to the war in Ukraine. Over 2 million people are dependent on humanitarian aid.

I would like to say a loud and big thank you to the Regine Sixt Children's Aid Foundation DRYING LITTLE TEARS for the wonderful support they offer us here in Bamenda, because through them we can advance our projects like the Safe House.

— Rev. Fr. Boris Lemfon, Direktor Caritas Bamenda

The construction of the safe house in pictures

The Safe House was built by Malteser International's local partner, Caritas Bamenda. In addition to a large play area, there are also 3 smaller workshop rooms, an auditorium, a kitchen, toilets and office space for the supervisors.

We are delighted that the Safe House has been finalized and was inaugurated as part of a joyful opening ceremony.

We wish the children all the best and wonderful moments in the new safe house.