Some 20 women affected by the ravaging fire at the Bamenda Main Market have received support from a US-based Non-governmental Organization- I Am Cameroon.
The wild fire that engulfed sections of the market saw some 300 stalls burnt to ashes on the night of February 22nd 2024, send shockwaves round the national territory.
The fire incident left some traders completely helpless, with everything lost to the fire, and some unable to sustain themselves and family since then.
Ngamnjoh Muminatu Riyuh of I Am Cameroon
It is on this basis that on July 5th, 2024, I Am Cameroon held a ceremony at the Bamenda I council hall to officially present some donations to the 20 selected women. Ngamnjoh Muminatu Riyuh, the representative of I Am Cameroon, shared the organization's latest initiative with The Observer.
"Last month, our team visited the market in Bamenda to meet with the victims of the fire that had destroyed their livelihoods. We spoke with these women, we were deeply saddened by the extent of the trauma and devastation they were facing. Their shops had been burned to the ground, leaving them not just physically, but also mentally and psychologically devastated."
The selection of the 20 beneficiaries was done through a careful vetting process by the president of the Bamenda market union. According to the union leader, these individuals had been unable to find a reliable source of income since the fire incident.
To help these women regain their footing, I Am Cameroon has provided each of them with a donation of 50,000 FCFA and a 50,000 FCFA loan. The combined sum of 100,000 FCFA per person is intended to help them restart their livelihoods.
The loan component comes with a repayment period of six months, after which the loan or a portion of it may be renewable. This strategic approach aims to empower the women, not just provide temporary relief, but to help them establish sustainable income-generating activities.
"We couldn't just help them today and then walk away, leaving them to face the same depressed situation again," Riyuh explained. "That's why we've implemented a comprehensive support program that goes beyond just providing financial assistance. Our goal is to lay a foundation that will take a long time to build, so that these women can truly profit from the support they've been given."
Packages handed to affected victims
Through this initiative, I Am Cameroon aims to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to the well-being and resilience of the Cameroonian community. By empowering these women, the organization is not just rebuilding their businesses, but also their sense of self-worth and their belief in a brighter future.
By
Munya Charles Babila
1 Comments
Great job 👍
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