Visionary Reports

This was during an outreach program in Ndongo Camp

Saturday, August 29, 2026, marked a transformative moment at Ndongo Camp in Tiko, as the non-governmental organisation Bringing Hearts Together (BHeT) reached out to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and underprivileged children ahead of the upcoming academic year.Led by Founder and Chief Executive Officer Mrs Regina Liengu Etaka Esong, the BHeT team distributed essential educational kits, including exercise books, pens, pencils, erasers, and rulers alongside clothing and shoes to children facing economic hardship due to ongoing displacement as a result of the Anglophone crisis

The initiative was established to address the acute educational challenges stemming from the ongoing Anglophone crisis in Cameroon’s North West and South West regions. According to humanitarian data, the protracted conflict has displaced over 700,000 people, forcing families to flee their homes and livelihoods. Tiko has absorbed a significant influx of IDPs, leaving many parents unable to afford basic learning materials.“Many parents have been displaced from their primary economic activities,” explained Mrs. Esong. “Moving to a new environment, some struggle just to feed their families, let alone afford school materials. Two years ago, we conducted a similar outreach in Buea, and earlier this year in Douala. This time, our needs assessment pointed us to Ndongo Camp in Tiko, where the density of displaced and vulnerable children is particularly high. We wanted to ensure these children return to school with hope, dignity, and confidence, just like their peers elsewhere “The outreach was funded primarily through personal contributions from BHeT members and micro-donations from partners, ranging from 2,000 FCFA to 50,000 FCFA.While the project was initially planned to supply full kits (including 12 exercise books, uniforms, and shoes) to 100 targeted children, the turnout on distribution day far exceeded expectations. Utilising backup stock, the BHeT team adjusted distribution on-site so that every unregistered child present also received clothing, shoes, and a starter kit of at least three exercise books.

Alongside the material distribution, BHeT incorporated a capacity-building workshop for parents and guardians. Resource person Dr. Miriam Enow facilitated a session focused on positive parenting, child protection, and nurturing displaced children without resorting to corporal punishment or negative coping mechanisms.

BHeT extended its gratitude to all partners and community volunteers who made the outreach possible, reaffirming its commitment to expanding educational access and child protection initiatives across affected communities in the South West Region.

By Henry WANA