The association of the First Lady yesterday, April 15, 2014, extended a hand of solidarity to the people in the area.

Inhabitants of Nyong and So’o Division of the Centre Region, yesterday April 15, expressed profound gratitude to Mrs Chantal Biya, First Lady of Cameroon, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Social Inclusion for the love, care and solidarity she has once more shown towards them, particularly the inhabitants of Ngomedzap.

This was during a ceremony organised by the Circle of Friends of Cameroon (CERAC) at the Ngomedzap ceremonial ground to officially hand over a medical centre that has been refurbished and equipped by the association to the Ngomedzap population. Representing the First Lady at the event was Jacqueline Koung à Bessike, who is Minister of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure and also one of the Vice Presidents of CERAC.

During the ceremony which was also characterised by the donation of gifts to rural women, youths and vulnerable people, Jacqueline Koung à Bessike was assisted by Constance Owona, who is the President of the Commission of Studies and Projects in CERAC. The people of Nyong and So’o in words, dance and songs hailed the delegation of CERAC and its Founding President, Mrs Biya for meeting them at a time of great need. According to the medical head of Ngomedzap, the dilapidated medical centre has been totally rehabilitated and equipped by CERAC.

The renovated medical centre looked beautiful, clean and habitable not only for those working there but more especially for patients. The Ngomedzap medical centre now has proper hygienic and sanitary condition with guaranteed security, thanks to the available of water, light and the construction of a fence round the hospital with day and night watchmen. CERAC also upgraded the medical platform of the centre with the donation of drugs, hospital beds, surgical bed, refrigerator and an electrical generator, amongst others.

Six associations of rural women in the division also benefited from CERAC’s largesse through the donation of agricultural tools and grinding machines. Youths from different groups in the division also received special gifts from Mrs Biya’s delegation. 100 old people and 27 handicapped people in the Ngomedzap Sub-division also had a special package each from the First Lady’s humanitarian caravan. The different speakers who took to the rostrum did not only laud the goodwill gesture from CERAC but also said that their action falls in line with achieving four of the Millennium Development Goals amongst which is curbing poverty, as well as fighting against infant and maternal mortality.

Jacqueline Koung à Bessike said the generosity of the First Lady has no boundary and that she is very attentive to the needs of the sick and vulnerable people in Cameroon. While noting that the goal of CERAC is to contribute in improving the medical equipment of hospitals in the country, the Representative of the First Lady said they are also out to upgrade the capacities of youths and rural women to become independent in what they do. She urged all parties involved to make sure the gifts are used for the purpose required.