It was a special day at the Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC) Primary School, Makenene in the Mbam and Inoubou Division of the Centre Region on Wednesday November 7, 2012.
The event was the handing over ceremony of a newly constructed building and equipping of CBC School Makenene by the Strategic Humanitarian Services (SHUMAS-Cameroon). The joy in the hearts of the pupils and staff of the school was vivid as pupils lined the main entrance of the school to welcome the officials. The new school building comprises three classrooms, one office, a three compartment toilet, school water supply scheme and a functional school environment project. Speaking at the occasion, the Field Pastor of the Yaounde Conference of Churches of CBC, Rev. Samuel Wepngong Jab, hailed SHUMAS for the gesture. He said the new building is an added push for the pupils to work harder. The Headmaster of CBC School Makenene, Emmanuel Kwiyup, thanked the Makenene community for the six hectares of land offered to Yaounde Field to construct the primary school and other Baptist institutions such as a college and a hospital, among others.
The CBC Pedagogic Adviser for Basic Education, Alfred Nfor Gwei, who represented the Education Secretary, said CBC School Makenene is the fourth school that has been constructed by SHUMAS for the Education Department of the Cameroon Baptist Convention. He assured the school of continuous support from the Education Department to ensure that it continues to have good results as in the past.
The Director of SHUMAS-Cameroon, Ndzerem Stephen Njodzeka hailed the community for its strong team spirit and effective participation in the project. The Assistant Divisional Officer for Makenene, Gilbert Assala, called on the pupils and management of CBC School Makenene to make good use of the building and equipment for the good of future generations. Richard Tiand, a Class Six pupil, said he was overwhelmed with joy because the new classrooms will enable him and his peers study in good condition.
Today, the CBC School Makenene has 440 pupils and eight teaching staff. The former classrooms of the school were dilapidated and destroyed by wind in 2009. Thanks to SHUMAS-Cameroon, the school has received a face-lift. The handing over completes the presence of SHUMAS in the ten regions of Cameroon.
Since 2008, SHUMAS in collaboration with "Building Schools for Africa," has constructed and equipped at least 40 classrooms every year in 13 to 14 schools in the country. The collaboration between SHUMAS and partners has helped the organisation to support the government of Cameroon by constructing more than 530 classrooms, provided 1,300 tables and benches and 87 latrines throughout the national territory.
