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The following is a report of the activities of SPF for 2001. We divide the areas for this year into three sections, viz: Health, Education and other. Under health we report on the organizations activities on health related issues. Education will concern itself with matters concerning support for poor children and s to acquire formal education. Other discusses any other activities including prayer needs and thanksgiving.
The newly registered NGO, had already begun her activities prior to its legalization through eleemosynary members of the foundation. They provided financial assistance and health care to poor people unable to pay for their treatment. Also in December 2001, as a wedding gift to, their community, a couple organized an AIDS Awareness campaign in Bafut, North West Province, Cameroon. From family and friends in Cameroon, the pair were made aware of the major factors hindering the fight against HIV/AIDS in Cameroon; ignorance, disbelief, and/or wrong information. It was decided that an essay writing competition would be launched in the secondary schools in Bafut in order to encourage the youths talking about HIV/AIDS more openly. The students were expected to write on the reactions and responsibilities of family member and members of society in the hypothetical case where a family member of theirs was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.
The pair solicited the help of the Sts. Stephen and Paul Foundation (SPF) to lay the groundwork for the campaign. The competition and essay topics were made know to the five secondary schools in Bafut. The secondary schools were: PSS Bafut, GHS Bafut, PGSST Bafut, COTECC Bafut and GVS Bafut. Essays were collected and graded by English Language teachers in each school. The best ten essays were then forwarded to a committee set up by SPF.
Upon arrival in Cameroon, the couple, along with members of SPF visited each school, addressed the student body briefly appreciating their participation in the competition and encouraging the youths to continue to seek facts and fight myths surrounding HIV/AIDS. The students were advised to value their bodies and cautioned to use ‘love the right context.
The Essay topic was: ‘Imagine your family member is diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, relate the events that follow and state what action you would recommend.’ The first, second and third prizes each school were cash prizes of 10,000CFA, 7,000CFA, and 5,000CfA respectively. Writing materials were also handed out as encouragement prizes. A summary of the results is found below.
| School
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Total # of participants
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Prize winners
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| Presbyterian secondary school (PSS) Bafut
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241
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| PGSST Bafut
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37
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| GVS Bafut
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8
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| COTTECC Bafut
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5
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| GHS Bafut
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20
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In addition to the essay competition, other activities were carried out in Bafut. The couple spoke during Christmas Eve church service at the Presbyterian Church (PC) Nchum, Bafut. The message of the Red Ribbon was explained and the importance of accepting the realities of HIV/AIDS was stressed. The message of the moderator of he Presbyterian Church in Cameroon on AIDS on handy cards was shared to members of the congregation.
On the morning of December 26, 2001, visits to the Nsem and Manji health centers were organised. Treats, the moderators message on AIDS and printed material obtained from UNAIDS were handed out. Posters were put up in the community and given to institutions. The activities of the AIDS Awareness Campaign formally ended with an AIDS Awareness evening at PC Agyati, Bafut. Questions on HIV/AIDS from the mainly youth audience were answered by a local medical doctor. The Youth Choir of PC Agyati presented a play on AIDS as well as choral music. ANDANTE, the only out of town group invited, consisting of 7 male high school students, entertained and taught the youths meaningful lessons on responsibility and AIDS awareness. Poems, comical sketches and songs all centered on HIV/AIDS were also presented by youths of the community.
By the end of the campaign its goal, that of creating /enhancing HIV/AIDS awareness, particularly using youths to reach youths in Bafut, had been accomplished. There were requests to make AIDS Awareness campaigns of this nature a yearly event.
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