Empowering lives in Cameroon
Donation protected
While I have lived there once before, returning to Cameroon (Africa) was such a humbling experience. My name is Martial Wandja and this is the story of my calling.
In January 2017, I traveled to Cameroon to get a new take on life. Little did I know that I would feel a calling to do something greater than provide for myself, but for others. I visited the Village of Nbangoua in the city of Douala. While there, I saw families that lacked clothes and shoes. I saw children walking miles from their homes to schools and they lacked the proper educational tools, such as books, pencils, pens, and paper. I saw hardworking mothers do strenuous labor for money that could not even provide basic life necessities for their families.
I also had an opportunity to experience a program that helped young girls. The program provided mentors and role models to the young girls who in turn taught them about personal hygiene, womanhood, and other things that would help them as women in society.
Upon seeing this, I immediately tried to do what I could to help brighten those children’s day. For instance, I bought the kids ice cream and candy and donated money to a few people, but that was not enough. I was not prepared. I was not prepared to see the things that I saw. To see people living in sub-standard conditions. To see children fighting for an education that so many people in other countries take for granted. To see mothers working hard for nothing. To see girls lacking the necessary role models that would prepare them for life. When I saw these things, I felt sad and selfish. Here, I am, in America, taking simple things for granted. Here, I see my friends, colleagues, neighbors, and so many others take things for granted. Yet, there are people in this world, like the people of the Village of Nbangoua, struggling to make it - for the things that we just have but take for granted.
That is when I knew that it is my job to do something about this. So, here I am. I am currently working with several people to put together several outreach plans to help this community and, eventually, other communities throughout the continent of Africa. And, now, I am asking YOU to join my team to help US achieve this goal. Any amount of money can do something to help and it is appreciated beyond words.
In January 2017, I traveled to Cameroon to get a new take on life. Little did I know that I would feel a calling to do something greater than provide for myself, but for others. I visited the Village of Nbangoua in the city of Douala. While there, I saw families that lacked clothes and shoes. I saw children walking miles from their homes to schools and they lacked the proper educational tools, such as books, pencils, pens, and paper. I saw hardworking mothers do strenuous labor for money that could not even provide basic life necessities for their families.
I also had an opportunity to experience a program that helped young girls. The program provided mentors and role models to the young girls who in turn taught them about personal hygiene, womanhood, and other things that would help them as women in society.
Upon seeing this, I immediately tried to do what I could to help brighten those children’s day. For instance, I bought the kids ice cream and candy and donated money to a few people, but that was not enough. I was not prepared. I was not prepared to see the things that I saw. To see people living in sub-standard conditions. To see children fighting for an education that so many people in other countries take for granted. To see mothers working hard for nothing. To see girls lacking the necessary role models that would prepare them for life. When I saw these things, I felt sad and selfish. Here, I am, in America, taking simple things for granted. Here, I see my friends, colleagues, neighbors, and so many others take things for granted. Yet, there are people in this world, like the people of the Village of Nbangoua, struggling to make it - for the things that we just have but take for granted.
That is when I knew that it is my job to do something about this. So, here I am. I am currently working with several people to put together several outreach plans to help this community and, eventually, other communities throughout the continent of Africa. And, now, I am asking YOU to join my team to help US achieve this goal. Any amount of money can do something to help and it is appreciated beyond words.
Organizer
Martial Wandja
Organizer
Harrisburg, PA
