The Bamenda-based civil society organisation, SHUMAS, recently offered a conference table and 16 newsroom chairs to Cameroon Radio Television, CRTV North West. The gift was accompanied by a message, urging CRTV staff to make good use of the gifts to be more comfortable as they strive to reach out to a larger audience.

The General Coordinator of SHUMAS, Ndzerem Stephen Njodzeka, lauded the contribution of CRTV to the attainment of Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, and the nation’s employment and wealth creation strategy. He commended CRTV’S strategic role in development and said it was against this backdrop that SHUMAS decided to offer the gifts.

Describing the gifts as a boost to CRTV North West, the Station Manager, Freddy Eta Besong lauded the generosity of SHUMAS. “This gesture has lifted the ugly image of CRTV North West and encourages greater commitment to service,” he said. The event sealed the commitment by CRTV and SHUMAS to promoting sustainable development.

SHUMAS focuses on integrated, sustainable rural development with the goal of improving lives, reducing poverty and empowering people to realise their full potentials without compromising the needs of future generations. Over the past few years, the charity has strengthened its assistance to the grassroots by constructing about 400 classrooms, 100 toilets, provided potable water in schools, established environmental projects and trained 130 people with special needs on various skills.

SHUMAS has also sponsored the training of 21 nurses for rural health centres, rehabilitated and equipped 10 rural health centres, supported 42 women groups and provided potable water to 30 rural communities. The organisation also enjoys win-win partnerships with foreign partners and the Ministry of Secondary Education.