Feed children affected by Cameroon Crisis

Dear All,

My name is Juliete Macauley and I was born in a place perhaps none of you have ever visited; Cameroon (West Africa). Growing up in Cameroon, life was not easy. I had to trek for miles just to attend school. I also had to walk long distances to get clean water for the family. Studying was also very challenging as there was little to no electricity in my house and, therefore, I had to use candles or bush lamps to do my homework. Text books were hard to come by as my parents were unable to afford them. Having three square meals a day was far from the norm, I was lucky to get just one or maybe two. Despite all the limited resources, I had dreams of making a better life for myself. Through the sacrifices of my parents and other family members as well as well-wishers, I was able to get a student Visa for Germany where I earned a Bachelor’s degree from Schiller international university. Upon concluding my studies, I won the US visa and relocated to US. My entire life has been that of hard work and I have never let these obstacles or adversities get in my way. Persistence has led my every move; but I now must surrender to a situation that is devastating the community where I was born. While I have had the opportunity to make a better life for myself here in US, I left behind many friends and family who have faced even greater struggles. Most of my friends have either succumbed to minor diseases from lack of diagnosis and treatment due to hardship, others have graduated from school but roam the streets due to lack of opportunities, while others never went to college because they had no one to sponsor them through college. Some are young widows and victims of the crisis. I have personally been of great assistance to my family back home for the past few years, but I feel the need to go beyond my family as the situation in my country has gotten worse due to the civil war. Surrounding families ask my family for help, but they can only do so much. I have been able to support my family and extended family with relocation, lodging, and tuition for kids, as well as food and healthcare. However, my support is very limited, and cannot reach the bigger community in need, therefore, I am their voice this holiday season.
 

My goal is to raise $2,500 which will feed approximately 100 families - with a simple contribution of $25.00 you can help me to achieve this goal. Larger donations are most appreciated! 


This time of the year is a good time to show love to these families who have little or nothing to eat and have to go for days without food. Every dollar you give will be used efficiently to supply food to as many displaced families as possible during this special time of the year. Meals will be purchased and distributed by two organizations; Community Development Network/Codenet a well-known NGO and through the church, Jesus Sanctuary both of which I have a personal connection to. Your donations will be highly appreciated and will put a plate of meal before a hungry child and a smile on a face on Christmas. 



For those of you who donate, I will personally follow-up showing documentation of the distribution. 


Thank you for you kindness and support!  
Juliete Macauley


Below is some more factual information about the Crisis

 
Cameroon in West Africa gained independence in 1961 and operated a federal system comprising two former UN trusteeship territories: French Cameroon and British Southern Cameroon. In 1972, the federal state was abrogated in favor of the United Republic of Cameroon, which was later renamed Republic of Cameroon.


The people of Southern Cameroon later called for a return to a federal state by April 1993, deeming the federal arrangement a better option than the prevailing unitary system. Over the years this has sparked complaints by the   people in the Southern regions that they were being marginalized by the central government,  which prompted the latest protests and the ensuing violence, hence the Anglophone crisis.


This has resulted to a conflict in the Southern region of Cameroon between separatist fighters and the government of Cameroon. What started as a struggle for equality and justice by citizens of southern Cameroon has spiraled into a full-blown crisis. Rebel groups seeking an end to what they consider domination of the Anglophone south by the francophone north have taken up weapons against the government’s security forces, causing thousands to die while tens of thousands are forced from their homes. Approximately 437,000 people including women and children are internally displaced across the affected provinces. Most displaced people are taking refuge in remote rural areas or in surrounding bushlands and forests or neighboring countries and are left at the mercy of good Samaritans. Schools have been  burnt or shut down and children in affected regions have not been able to go to school for the past three years. About 220 villages have been wiped out, farmlands  destroyed by the fighters leaving thousands of people homeless and in deplorable conditions void of basic human needs such as food water, protection and healthcare. children are exposed to significant risks of diverse forms of sexual violence, association to armed forces and armed groups, and even family separation; all leading to extended psychosocial distress and mental disorders.

 

To read more about the anglophone crisis, click on link below.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/world/cameroon-anglophone-crisis/