Creative Arts, Health, and Wellbeing for OVC On and Off the Streets of Bamenda

Year: 2017
Country: Cameroon
Project Status: Funded
Impact Sector: Health
Project Investment: $4,755.97

Project Launch:

This project seeks to engage four orphanages in Bamenda, assisting them to improve the health, wellbeing, and quality of life for local orphans and vulnerable youth living on and off the streets.

Peer educators, selected from each orphanage, will be trained in life skills, WASH, Sexual Reproductive Health, and Gender Based Violence. These peer educators will then lead educational trainings and mentorship initiatives for youth at their respective locations along with activities including dance, song, and drama.

After the trainings, youth who are interested will be given the opportunity to learn a craft.  They will be paired with skilled professionals working in mechanics, carpentry, tailoring, and hairdressing. Ultimately, the project aims to earn the trust and confidence of youth in the community and provide them with opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to Cameroonian society.

Final Report: 11-9-17

The children at the four centers truly enjoyed the ARTS program taught by the New Breed Africa Foundation artists. They benefited from these structured lessons especially in the midst of political upheaval that kept them out of school. Within their various centers, the children designed their own dramas centering on themes such as malaria prevention and gender-based violence. The children especially enjoyed the dance segment of the arts program as demonstrated by their choreographed ensembles ranging from traditional to hip-hop styles. Through these various activities, the children learned the importance of teamwork in the creation of their final pieces, while at the same time enjoying the art of play which is so very important in their youth.

Homeless children in Bamenda also were involved in some of the project activities. On June 19th, the International Day for Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, members of MANVOFCAM involved homeless children in a street campaign against gender-based violence. These same children also participated in the arts program at the Good Shephard Abangoh and Misspa Orphanage Centers.

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