Rosebeline showing an xray of how her legs used to be

The Christadelphian Centre for the Blind and Handicapped gives essential aid to some of those in most desperate need in the Cameroon.  Young people between the ages of 8 and 22 are given the opportunity to have operations to correct limb deformities or sight disorders. These vulnerable young people are given a safe environment, with food and accommodation.   Whilst at the centre they are encouraged to improve themselves via primary academic studies. They learn Braille and vocational skills,  such as computer use, bicycle repairs, craftwork and animal husbandry.    The school provides wheelchairs, tricycles, calipers, crutches and mobility canes to those requiring them.  All the facilities are provided free of charge to the families of those in need.

Students

The centre and school is maintained at a full capacity of 40 students, with new children being taken in as others leave the school after treatment.   

Some students travel from as far away as the South West Province and Douala, which is 400 miles.  The Manager travels to the villages around Cameroon, publishing notices in newspapers, using posters and making announcements on radio stations about the Centre  Parents bring their children for an assessment,  to determine whether an operation would be possible and successful.

Operations and Rehabilitation

Young blind children attend the school for rehabilitation and to learn to read Braille.  Eye operations are carried out at the Acha Hospital in Baffousam.   Thankfully,  government programmes to prevent blindness from disease has had some effect in positively reducing the number of children affected in recent years

Other young people come to the school with limb deformities. In a single year (2007) 13 students required limb corrections, and received operations in either March or November.  We very much appreciate the Dutch surgeons who carry out the limb operations at the Njinikom Hospital, and the staff at the Rehabilitation Unit at Bafut.

These children spend up to 6 months in hospital and at the rehabilitation unit.  We enable the children’s parents to be there to care for them over this period.  Once they return to the school there are facilities for them to continue with their rehabilitation.

The number of young people with deformities appears to be increasing, so there remains the need to offer this help to families in the future.

Education

The majority of the students are integrated into the community and taught at the local primary school (see Kobenyang School report).  This was originally founded and funded by the Christadelphian community but is now funded in part by the government.  Some students are taught separately at the School for the Blind and Handicapped,  as they were previously excluded from education due to their handicap.  These children are at a very low academic level for their age. A formal timetable  includes arithmetic, English, geography, history, natural studies and Bible studies.  Students learn about the God of the Bible.  This is considered to be important to encourage a good moral basis and to be good citizens of Cameroon society.

Vocational training has continued with computer use, bicycle repairs, machine sewing, cropping and basket weaving.  Extra curricula activities include recreation such as football and board games.  Students participate in the wider school activities such as the National Day, Youth Day and the International Day for the Disabled.