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GEOAID Cameroon April 2011 Activities

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

This report identifies the work accomplished following the contract for professional and socio-humanitarian services with Geovic Cameroon for the period of April 1st to April 30th.  The work accomplishments align with the work deliverables referenced in Appendix A and B of the services contract.

HEALTH

Distribution of Medical supplies and medication
The Distribution of medications and medical supplies which started a month ago ended within this month with the distribution at the Lomie District Hospital. The District Doctor, Dr. Ngon with a host of nurses received the approximately 500 boxes of medical supplies destined for the hospital. Amongst the equipment donated were an exam table, dental chair, centrifuge, surgical materials, material for wound dressing and a several months’ quantity of hospital supplies. Africa Kit medications donated are for the cure of tropical diseases like malaria, typhoid, skin rashes, as well as anti-biotics, ointments, etc. Measures were also put in place to ensure that these medications are accessed freely by the neediest and poorest within the population. Monitoring and control of these medical supplies will continue in the days ahead.

Health Fair/Clinic

As part of Labor Day activities, GeoAid organized a health fare for the people of Lomie, Messok and Ngoyla at the Lomie District hospital. 12 Medical doctors from Yaoundé amongst whom were dentists, optician, ophthalmologists, HIV/AIDS sensitizers took part in the health fare. Patients with ocular, dental diseases were consulted and administered treatment. There was also free HIV/AIDS consultation. Approximately 100 villages were sensitized through radio news Baka Nzimé and French posters, churches and associations. The 10 health workers from the Lomie District hospital collaborated with the doctors from CAREHELP. Within the two days of the health campaign, a total number of 285 patients were consulted and were all administered free medication. The drop in number of patients this year could be justified by the absence of patients from Messok and Ngoyla who complained of lack of transportation fares to reach Lomie. Measures will be put in place to ensure that patients in Messok and Ngoyla benefit of such campaigns in the future.

Some patients being consulted during the health fair/clinic.

AGRICULTURE.

In the agricultural domain GeoAid’s vision has been to increase and encourage the production of good quality food crops ensuring that women and marginalized people participate in the cultivation of crops to improve their nutrition and to serve as an income generating source. In this light, vegetable farming, plantain and corn cultivation has been encouraged within this month.

Vegetable Cultivation:

In this domain, the housewives, Baka beneficiaries had seeds of three (03) varieties okra, huckleberry and pigweed seedlings in the fields after the ongoing cleaning to prevent crop competition with weeds. For most of them, these crops are very healthy. Some crops like green pepper from the farm at Sissok are already been harvested and sold. Monitoring and weeding will continue until harvest.

During the same period in both groups of young Baka vegetable growers, at Bissieba, transplanting tomatos continues simultaneously. Nearly 500 tomato plants have been transplanted. The maintenance of old crops continues to facilitate the growth of older crops. Leek from the farm was sold amounting to FCFA 2500. This sum was distributed to women working in the garden and helped with the purchase of small items in their households. This is just an initial small return but important as an incentive to work diligently.

The daily maintenance of the plots is continuing and the preparation of land for crop germination. The construction of the fence continues on the site with the rest of Sissok planks remaining from the first trip pending agreement at the mill for another trip. The work of this fence will continue until the first half of May 2011 when it is expected to be completed upon the availability of the remainder of fencing wood.

Some Bakas at their vegetable  (green pepper) farm.

Plantain cultivation:

In this program, the goal is to help banana growers to produce in good quality and sufficient quantity to increase yields. Of the 20 implanted nurseries, the activities of this month were concentrated upon the crops within seedbeds. The first germinations are already visible. These plants are very healthy. Germinated plantain suckers can now be visible in 10 nurseries. Watering takes place daily and soon will begin the weaning of the plantain suckers for some beneficiaries. It will also follow the acclimatization of the plants before planting into fields.

Corn Cultivation:

This program aims to facilitate the access of good quality of corn seeds quality and high efficiency for local producers to increase yields; also to contribute to the diversification of agricultural production, income and food security.

About five (05) acres of corn were prepared with 20 producers who each received an amount proportional to their seed plot. In most cases, planting took place in the second half of this month due to late rains. Producers have deplored many losses due to predation by birds and insects, because the seed were not treated. For those with little seed, they have to replace the missing. At the same time, the weeding continues except at Sissok where the work there is very slow.
The weeding will continue in the coming days, as well as fertilization in some plots.

Early Corn emerging in one of the farms.

LIVESTOCK

Production of broilers

This program aims at the creation of alternative animal protein sources, diversification of income sources and job creation.
During the period of April 2011, the 02 commodity groups of broilers are already operational who benefited from the support of GeoAid. Technical and health monitoring continues daily. The mortality rate remains in an acceptable level despite the many deaths considered at a start. To this day 30th age, the farm at MADOUMA recorded 18 fatalities, giving a 09%, while that of ZIMBABOUE registered 5 deaths, which is 2.5%. Sales will begin from May 15th.

It should be noted here that one of the women who attended training in poultry farming organized by GeoAid named, Mrs. ANKAMTSENE, and owner of the Raffia hotel was one of the main chicken clients in Lomie. She has also launched a batch of 200 chicks at her own expense. This will increase the number of existing farms to 03, with a total of about 600 chickens on the market. We see this as a postive in that it shows adoption and implementation of Geoaid’s training with no further GeoAid investment. So we have now 3 of 4 commercial poultry operations in place in Lomie. This is a significant impact in meeting increased animal protein and anti-bushmeat initiatives by adopting domestic animal production as normal consumption.

Our duty in the days ahead will be to urge the producers of this industry to organize so they can agree on the timetable for production to avoid excessive competition that would result in the disappearance of some. Also, they will be encouraged to be begin to explore the external markets around Lomie Minduru and Abong-Mbang.

Grown up chicken in one of the farms.

Cane Rat Raising:

The objectives are the same as those mentioned in a). During the month, two (02) activities dominated the industry: the organization of the Constituent Assembly of the Union of Breeders of Cane rats groups and the contest of the best breeders.

Constituent Assembly Groups of Cane rat Breeders

The Constituent Assembly is the meeting which brings together producers of the Cane rats field. It aims to establish a framework for consultation of members, guidance and the establishment of a common strategy of action. It takes major decisions and sets a course of action in managing finances and assets of the group. During this meeting, about thirty participants took part and the following results were achieved:

  • The Constituent General Assembly carried out
  • The office of the Union of Initiative group elected and installed
  • The statutes and regulations within the union adopted
  • The Minutes of the Constituent Assembly drafted

In the days ahead, we will accompany the new office in assembling the documents for legalization towards the right administration.

Cane rat breeders during their meeting sponsored by GeoAid.

Competition of the best Cane rat Breeders

This activity is part of the support initiatives to organizations which stand out from others by their good results. It aims among others to create an emulsion, encourage the efforts of those advocating excellence in the performance of their duties.

For this, 05 were attributed the price of the 05 best cane rat breeders in the Lomie, Messok and Ngoyla areas for a total amount of 70,000 FCFA. The choice of these breeders was made by a jury of 04 independent and multi disciplinary members, based on the criteria like structures that house livestock, the state of animals and feeding them. As results:

  • The selection criteria were developed
  • A jury was selected and installed
  • The competition was created and proclaimed
  • The Top 05 farmers were selected and awarded prizes (01Baka and 04 Bantu groups).

This exercise has really stimulated a renewed confidence among cane rat breeders still carrying out the activity in business.
The next steps will be to support serious applicants with cane rats, technical monitoring and health farms, the institutional and organizational support of the Union and the marketing organization.

EDUCATION

The project aims to help with basic education, primary and secondary school for young Bakas.
In this aspect, it is primarily for monitoring after the transfer of the first part of the funds.

While awaiting the transfer of the second installment, students continue to be well followed by the boarding master and the other coaches. Expenditures for the latter were well expended and supported by accounting documents.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

- Visit by Mr. Bill Mitchell Executive Director of GeoAid International and Bryce the GeoAid Program consultant.
The visit came within the framework of monitoring and evaluation of field activities to provide policy options in implementing various programs. Throughout the visit, after attending the health campaign on the treatment of teeth and eyes, they travelled to the Catholic Health Center at Bosquet. Visits were also to the Vegetable garden of a young Baka  at sites of vegetable growers and Baka Sissok, Bissieba, and Bosquet.

During the four days of their stay, they reviewed the realities on the field and we await the recommendations arising from this field work in the coming days. Already we see a potential and important Baka-centered project at Bosquet.  More work is planned to develop this.

CONCLUSION

The month of April 2011 was very rich in activities and tangible results were felt in all the activities carried out. The activities all prove promising indicating better days ahead for the people of Lomie, Messok and Ngoyla thanks to GeoAid programs.

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GEOAID Cameroon March 2011 Activities

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

This report identifies the work accomplished following the contract for professional and socio-humanitarian services with Geovic Cameroon for the period of March 1st to March 31st 2011. The work accomplishments align with the work deliverable referenced in Appendix A and B of the services contract. Some of these activities mentioned in this report fall under Health, Pilot Projects, Agriculture, Micro Finance, administrative duties.

HEALTH

Arrival of African kit:

During this Month, some medications (4 African kits) destined for hospitals in Lomie arrived and were successfully cleared from the Yaounde Airport. Among the meds, were Abendazole and mebendazole which will be used to deworm the Lomie District communities. This anti-parasite campaign will be planned and scheduled with the District doctor of Lomie in the subsequent weeks.  Also, medications like diclofenac sodium and hydrocortisone acetate will be used in our annual community health fair campaign which is planned for May 1st 2011 in Lomie.

Distribution of Medical Supplies:

Earlier this year, GeoAid collected the list of needs from the various District clinics of Lomie before distributing the medical supplies and medications received from the US partners in November 2010.

Distribution of donated medical supplies at Mintoum Health center.

After the packaging of the medical supplies for the various health centers of the Lomie, Messok and Ngoyla zones, the month of March was characterized by the distribution of medical supplies to various health centers in the zone following their request. So far, eleven health centers have received their medical supplies. The different populations in these zones have expressed their gratitude to GeoAid for this humanitarian gesture. Distribution to the Lomie District hospital which could not take place earlier due to the absence of some authorities in Lomie will be scheduled in the days ahead.

AGRICULTURE

In the agricultural domain GeoAid’s vision has been to increase and encourage the production of good quality food crops ensuring that women and marginalized people participate in the cultivation of crops to improve their nutrition and to serve as an income generating source. In this light, vegetable farming, plantain and corn cultivation has been encouraged within this month.
Vegetable Cultivation:

In this field, the 25 Baka women and men have been identified and have expressed their willingness and readiness to continue to actively prepare their field while waiting the first rains. The area cultivated is approximately 2,500 m2. As a new approach that requires some adaptation, these Baka women and men requested the assistance of an expert to accompany them. Master Gardener Robert has been engaged for this month to assist and see to their orientation to field work.

Within this period also, the Baka groups at Bissieba and Sissok, continued with the transplanting of leeks and celery on 12 farm beds. Okra which is at the end of the cycle is progressively being harvested and used for family consumption. In order to produce in a large scale and to maximize profit, many other crops have been propagated. These include: Persil, pepper, chili, tomato, green peppers, cabbage and huckle berry. Daily maintenance continues to allow the products to develop quickly and be ready for sales in the coming days.

The Baka gardeners at Sissok who had received some wood to fence their first plot to protect against the invading pigs continued with work this month. So far, half of the approximately 800 m circumference of land is being fenced. Work continues there on a daily basis.

Fencing of Baka garden

Generally, activities on gardening in the coming days will be on: the maintenance and marketing of older crops, the preparation of the new land, transplanting in the field, and completion of the fence at the Sissok garden. Our objective is also to continue to encourage the Baka gardeners to be work together more effectively, as well as taking more responsibility.

 

Plantain cultivation:

In order to ensure the sustainability of seed multiplication started last year, The 12 women leaders formerly trained solicited additional material support from GeoAid to further train others in the techniques. In this light, the 20 groups or individuals identified in this program to benefit from the implementation of all propagators have all received implantation and tracking materials. A nursery has been implanted in each of these areas. In total, 20 nurseries have been planted and nursing of the plantain suckers is done gradually with the technical support of the Delegates of Agriculture in each zone. The vision for this activity is to increase seed multiplication and plantain yields through the production of more resistant plantain suckers.

Implantation of a plantain nursery

After this operation, it will take approximately two (02) months to see the first plantain suckers weaned. Having heard of the activities of GeoAid, two (02) other producers at Mindourou and other areas of Lomie have requested to be assisted in this domain. Their request will be answered upon the availability of monitoring equipment such as sprinklers.

Corn cultivation;

Some Baka farmers at Abakoum receiving corn and other materials

This program which is aimed at providing and popularizing good quality of corn seed and high performance for local producers, the diversification of agricultural production, income and food security continued within this month. Giving its necessity, instead of 15 groups or individuals to receive corn, 20 have received the seed for a total of 200 kg on a 5 hectare piece of land each. These plots have already been cleared awaiting the first rains for planting.
For the most dedicated beneficiaries, they will receive the foliar fertilizer to maximize yields.

 

LIVESTOCK

Production of chickens

This program aims at the creation and diversification of alternative sources of protein and to serve as a source of employment.

After the training in the production of broilers and manufacturing of feed which took place in the month of February, 03 groups of producers of broilers after training were formed. Two (02) of them who have a chicken coop have been supported with 200 chicks each, the feed and the veterinary health monitoring has been provided. Of the 400 chicks received, we recorded 12 deaths during transportation from Yaoundé, thus 11 for the Madouma group and 01 for the Zimbaoué group. For now, we can say that if the incident of the trip had not taken place this phase would have said to have begun well. However, everything has started well with the poultry farmers.

One day old chicks in one of the chicken farms

More work in this domain including technical and health monitoring continues and will end with the beginning of sales expected in the month of May 2011. Prior to sales, meetings with groups of farmers have been organized to ensure that the arrangements and operation are better explained, clarified and agreed by each party. It should be noted here that the launch of two bands of 200 chicks each is a new formula that we want to introduce. The positive results planned will be evaluated at the end of the production cycle.

Cane Rat Raising:

With the aim to fight against poaching and create and alternative source of protein the raising of cane rats continued in the communities. After the sales of some cane rats last month activities in the FEDYKO and other cane rat farms include the daily feeding of animals. The number of cane rats now existing in the GeoAid sponsored cane rat farms after the sales is 34. On the other hand, as requested, we also continue to provide technical and health monitoring to 20 other cane rats in the neighborhoods owned by another organization.

We intend to establish clear rules for the management of these; also, for a sector that is booming and that promises to be a substantial income provider, organizing the farmers to form an association is an important objective for us to attain.

MICRO-ENTERPRISE

Training in fabric dyeing:

As part of the International women’s day activities, 34 women in the locality were trained in the dyeing of fabrics. These women of different social and cultural backgrounds Baka and Bantus were initiated into this activity which is income generating. Participants were fast enough to dye for themselves tee-shirts bought by GeoAid. Future plans in this domain include making this activity sustainable supporting some of these women to launch the fabric dyeing activity as a source of income.

EDUCATION

With the goal to enhance the education of secondary school goers, GeoAid once more supported the work of the Christian Brothers who provide a residential dormitory for Baka students in Lomie. In this academic initiative controlled by frère Roger, Frere Jean Marie and partners, GeoAid early this month provided the first quota of their needs which amounted to 1,729,000 FCFA.

In the coming days monitoring will continue to ensure the judicious use of this support so that it serves the purpose for which is destined.  GeoAid plans an economic education curriculum enrichment program for this school to pilot in the 3rd quarter as school re-commences.

EVENTS AND MEETINGS

a) Meetings; weekly planning of activities

These meetings are designed to evaluate the activities previously planned and sequentially to program future activities for the current month. During this month, 04 planning meetings were held. This report therefore gives a summary of activities planned during the meeting.

b) Participation in the workshop proceedings of the study Geovic – Baka communities and support organizations

The workshop brought together nearly fifty participants including some Baka village representatives and support organizations working with them. This meeting was designed to triangulate the information collected in the Baka communities to put an implementation of a specific development plan adapted to the Baka in accordance with the vision of Geovic which wants that any action taken within the Baka communities should come from the Baka themselves. Geovic and partners come to give an impetus to improve their standard of living through their own initiatives.

Thus, the priorities identified by the Baka were centered on three domains which include the pharmacopoeia, agriculture, health, housing improvement, education, water, employment, access to land and responsible citizenship that would allow support organizations to position themselves.

c) Meeting with leaders of poultry of projects.

This meeting initiated by GeoAid and facilitated by Octave, the representative of this domain was aimed to enable participants to establish a good organization in groups, bring forth sound rules of management and establish the terms of the contract.

For that, it was said that the support should necessarily pass through a micro group of 03 people. Interested parties should organize themselves to share responsibilities. An account should be opened by each group and it will have at least two signatures to ensure transparency in management. GeoAid will monitor and evaluate closely to better appreciate the evolution of activities. The beneficiaries will submit a monthly report as well as a final end-of-project report. Regarding the terms of repayment, the amount per batch was fixed at 50,000 CFA francs per batch, but by returning the capital to the next order. Ultimately, all beneficiaries acknowledged and agreed to make all these resolutions. We await the development and signing of contracts for the implementation of these actions.

Meeting with Peace Corps

The GeoAid team made of Helena, Georgette and Octave had a meeting with Miss Olaf, of Peace corps on April 1st 2011 in Lomie. This meeting was a follow-up of GeoAid request of a volunteer to assist in their programs in Lomie and also served as an opportunity for Peace Corps to also see the office of Lomie as well as have more light on the living conditions of the area.

CONCLUSION

The month of March 2011 was particularly busy in activities. Because this period coincided with the implementation of several programs, giving tangible results on the ground. GeoAid’s work in the afore mentioned domains was greatly felt and appreciated by the Lomie, Messok and Ngoyla communities.

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International Women’s Day Activity

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

The women of Lomie/Cameroon joined other women world wide to celebrate the 26th Edition of the International Women’s day. GeoAid International like in the previous years seized this opportunity to work in line with the Cameroon government which marks this moment with week long activities in the political, educational and socio-economic domain. With the theme for this year being ‘Equal access to Education, training and science and technology: Pathway for decent work for women’ GeoAid International organized a workshop on the 7th of March 2011 to train women on methods of dyeing fabrics. This training which saw the participation of 34 women mostly seamstresses, jobless school drop out and other housewives was meant to give them an opportunity to learn an activity through which they could earn a living giving the fact that dyed fabrics are very much appreciated in this part of the continent.

The training session actually started at 10.am. The trainer Mme Menkpa Marie Louise, inspector of Education and native of Lomie started by giving her personal testimony of how her living condition had been greatly improved thanks to the fabric dyeing activity. She explained that she has dyed a lot of material for household decorations like door and window blinds, backrests, table clothes, bed sheets etc which had given her a lot of money over the years. She asked the participants to be ever grateful to GeoAid for offering the training free of charge, explaining that she spent a huge sum of 150.000 FRS to acquire the knowledge which she still does not regret as she has accrued a lot of wealth from this activity.

After explaining how lucrative the cloth dyeing activity could be, Mme Menpka went on to present the raw materials needed for dying some of which are; caustic soda, carbonate (hydro), color, water. She also presented cotton thread and candle to design the white fabric, pots to heat up water and melt the candle, plastic buckets for washing as well as gloves for protection given the fact that they are chemical products. After presenting the products, the trainer went on to the demonstration of fabric dying  which consisted of taking a white cotton material, wetting with water, tying the material and soaking it for 15 minutes in a caustic soda, color and carbonate solution.

Trainer demonstrating the dying process.

The trainer went on to teach the participants different methods and designs of fabric dyeing. It was a participatory activity as all the trainees learnt how to use candle and stamp as well as cotton thread to design material. The stamp design consisted of soaking a carved stamp in warm (heated) candle and stampin on the material while the cotton thread design consisted of tying the white cloth with a cotton thread as desired to form different decorations. The ‘salad’ method which consisted of twisting the material and soaking with the mixed solution was also taught. This was demonstrated on the first two bed sheets designed.

Participants putting lessons into practice

Participants keenly learning the stamp design

 

It was with excitement that the trainees saw the all white material become beautifully decorated bed sheets of different colors in less than 30 minutes. Baka women who are often marginalized felt happy and at home as they were busy participating in the activity. With the white tee-shirts bought by GeoAid as a gift for the trainees, each trainee was given the assignment to design the tee-shirts as desired before dyeing. This was done and the dyed clothes were washed and dried.

 

Baka women designing their tee-shirts. (cotton thread design)

Before the lunch, The GeoAid staff, Helena and Georgette encouraged the participants in the manufacturing of soap. As they could notice, some products like carbonate and caustic soda and water used for soap production are equally used for dyeing. They affirmed that some of them produce the soap for household use. They were encouraged to continue in that light while making sure they also put to practice the cloth dyeing activity.

Dyed tee-shirts and bed sheets washed.

It was on this note that the training ended. The participants enjoyed the sumptuous meal which strengthened them and later on came together for a family photo with each participant having their dyed tee-shirts on.

Enough sunshine for drying

Conclusion:
The 26th edition of the International women’s Day in Cameroon which also marked the centenary of this occasion was celebrated in grand style by the Lomie women thanks to GeoAid’s touch of training organized as part of the occasion. GeoAid took seven hours to offer to the women knowledge which will be of benefit to them for a lifetime. The participants where so grateful for this thoughtful act which shows prove of GeoAid’s active presence in their community.

Helena, Georgette and trainer with participants having tee-shirts dyed by themselves.

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Training Workshop in Breeding Broilers

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Given the scarcity of protein source in Lomie especially the unavailability of chicken meat, GeoAid International organized a training workshop on the 25th and 26th of February 2011 at the SNV building to train some members of the community on the techniques of raising broilers and the methods of manufacturing chicken feed. The trainer Mr. Zoyium Andre and his assistant Mr. Ndogmo Leopold within two days had to convey their expertise in this field to the 28 participants present during the training. The Delegate for Agriculture for Lomie was also present to grace the day.
The training workshop on the first day, started with a welcome speech to the participants, from Mr. Ondoua Octave the field coordinator and agricultural technician, he thanked the participants for coming and especially for their interest in the poultry field.

 

Cross section of participants

 

 

After this was the presentation of key facilitators of the training among whom where:
Mr. ZOYIUM Andre and Mr. DONGMO Leopold who informed the participants on the training objectives, the key points to address, which allowed them to make a comparison with the expectations of participants. From here, room was given to each participant to introduce themselves.
After the introduction, the first item on the agenda was handled which focused on the study and analysis of conditions for establishing a farm of chicken broilers.

  • The need to professionalize
  • The choice of the breeding site
  • The definition of the production target
  • The assessment of its lending as raising broilers is very demanding
  • The positioning of the building

A short break was observed to allow each participant to take breakfast. The breakfast was prepared and served by Helena and Georgette, the GeoAid staff. After the break, the trainers started the topic of chicken housing and farming equipment. Participants understood that the construction of a barn for broiler follows certain standards. When the chickens grow, the number of chicken per square meter also changes. Thus on the first day, we can have about  35 to 40 chicks per square meter, and this number  gradually decreases to 10 per square meter as the chickens reach 45 days of age.
Different types of feeders, drinkers and other heating equipment were presented with emphasis on the advantages and disadvantages of each type and the possibility of exploiting local materials. At this level, a lunch break was observed and after the break, the technical management of the different phases of rearing was introduced. It was noted that the breeding of broilers can be divided into three phases:

  • The startup phase
  • The growth phase
  • The finishing phase

The trainers took time to detail the conditions for the success of each phase: in the example of the startup phase, participants learned that it is imperative to control the temperature and the indicator used at this level is the behavior of chicks around the heat source.
The importance of the arrangement of feeders and waterers was stressed. Serving water and food as was taught must be made in small quantities to promote a regular renewal. It was after this subtopic that the training on the first day ended at 4.30 pm.
Producing chicken feed
The second day of training began at 9.am with the basics of feeding broilers, the needs of broilers, knowledge and identification of various, raw materials used in feeding broilers, and especially the practical phase of manufacturing chicken feed. Each participant had the opportunity to see, touch, smell and feel every raw material in order to adequately identify them at the appropriate time. This phase caught the attention of the participants as much money is usually spent by poultry breeders to purchase feed. Afterwards these different raw materials were classified in different sectors like energy source, protein minerals, vitamins and trace elements. This allowed the participants with the advice of the trainers to make a practical demonstration of the manufacture of 100 kg of feed. A lunch break was observed after this.

 

Participants, touching, feeling, and smelling chicken feed ingredients. Participants mixing ingredients for chicken feed.

 

After the break, the health component was handled starting with the differentiation between a sick chicken and a healthy chicken. This enabled participants to easily identify the key signs of illness and then to properly address the health precautions. The diseases were classified into four groups:

  • Viral diseases,
  • Bacterial disease,
  • Parasitic diseases
  • The deficiency diseases or nutritional imbalance

Subsequently, the trainers examined the point on building a first aid box for a broiler breeder. Prevention is the watchword in broiler breeding; they made the participants understand the importance on applying a control program suitable for the breeding region.
The last point was focused on the technical and financial management of the breeding of broilers. As was taught, everything depends on a good management of farming technique sheets. This will be to allow the technician who provides the technical inspection to act effectively based on objective factors, and to enable a scientist to analyze the data afterward. The trainers did not fail to teach on the profit budgets, they estimated the profit to be made on a strip of broilers, and the important points noted were:

  • Maintaining the cash book
  • The maintenance of stock records. …

Almost all participants noted the impact of corn and soybeans on the price of one kilogram of feed and pledged to cultivate these crops to maximize their profits. It is on this resolution that the main trainer closed the training workshop.
Conclusion:
We must say that this training on techniques on breeding broilers was the first of its kind organized in Lomie. Though 20 invitation letters were dispatched we ended up with 27 participants, which proved the relevance of the training. The trainees on their part were very impressed (see rating below) and they incessantly thanked GeoAid for its endeavors and for always encouraging development in their community.

By Helena NSOSUNGNINE

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GEOAID Cameroon February 2011 Activities

Thursday, March 3, 2011

This report identifies the work accomplished following the contract for professional and socio-humanitarian services with Geovic Cameroon for the period of February 1st to February 28th 2011. The work accomplishments align with the work deliverables referenced in Appendix A and B of the services contract. Some of these activities mentioned in this report fall under Health, Pilot Projects, Agriculture, Micro Finance, administrative duties.

Health

Assessments of Needs of Health centers:

Our objective this month was to identify the health needs of the District hospitals. We conducted needs assessment through the health centers. All the 12 health centers from the Lomie, Messok and Ngoyla administrative units sent in a list of their needs of medical supplies and medication. These needs will be a guide to solicit for medical donations in the USA and Europe. This will also ensure that the medical supplies and medications match up with the recurring needs in the area.

Packaging of Medical Equipments for health centers:

GeoAid in its mission to ensure the health of members of communities, continued to find out measures to equip the existing health centers with medical supplies.  Within the month, The Delegate of Health for Bertoua authorized the distribution of medication and medical supplies which had been sent in the last container. After this authorization, some nurses of the Lomie district hospital in the presence of Dr. Ngon, participated in the packaging of the medical supplies for all the 12 health centers. This new strategy was put in place to ensure fairness in the distribution of medical supplies since some of these health centers had complained of the unavailability of GeoAid donated medical supplies in their health centers. This Distribution is scheduled to start early in the month of March.

Health Intervention through medical supplies.

Within the month the lives of two people involved in an accident were salvaged thanks to the availability of a back brace and ankle brace which came in the pack of medical supplies for the Lomie district hospital. These prompt interventions in people’s health are very much appreciated by the communities.

Evacuation:

With the ambulance facility donated by GeoAid to the Lomie District hospital, 1 evacuation was carried out within this month. The person evacuated from Lomie to Abong-Mbang (Nkol-Volan) was the mother-in-law of the secretary of states for defense. Unfortunately the ambulance was involved in an accident on its way back to Lomie which resulted to it losing its front tire. GeoAid intervened to solve this problem, while looking for strategies to involve the community in participating in the functioning and management of the ambulance.

AGRICULTURE

Objective: In the agricultural domain GeoAid’s vision has been to increase and encourage the production of good quality food crops ensuring that women and marginalized people (specifically the Baka) participate in the cultivation of crops to improve their nutrition and an income generating source. In this light, vegetable farming, plantain and maize (corn) cultivation has been facilitated within this month.

In the course of the month of February, a number of Baka housewives were encouraged to cultivate vegetables in their farms. The aim is not only to increase the number of women involved in farming but also  to improving food security through production and consumption of vegetables and proteins to substitute bush meat;

To further support these two objectives, 100 Baka women were educated and coached in six (06) villages, 25 of them identified by their expressed motivation and their ability to farm in their villages. They will be given some local vegetables seeds and other seeds adapted to the region, as well as small tools to help them plant their initial gardens. For a majority of these 25 households whose land surface areas rarely reach ½ hectare they are already in the final preparation stage of the plots, pending the planned sowing period which starts in mid-March, the beginning of the short rainy season. Given the fact that the initiation phase is very important, GeoAid program staff and local Dept of Agriculture representatives will increase their regular monitoring of this program and suggest small changes noted to ensure the success of this program.


Monitoring of Baka gardens:

The two Baka gardens at Sissok and Bissieba have continued to serve to provide a source of food security to some Bakas who are being initiated in vegetable gardening.
During this period, in both groups, transplantation of nursery seed crops continued. Leeks and basil are getting towards maturity. Okra in the plot of Bissieba is already at the reaping stage. It is gradually harvested and used for the household. It is difficult to quantify the production here, as some of the Baka farmers come to reap without the knowledge of others. Another difficulty faced is the work pace which is quite slow given the fact that they spend a lot of time in individual fields. GeoAid to solve this problem has sent in Master Gardener Robert to join hands with the GeoAid agricultural technician to guide them in their vegetable farming.
At Sissok, we facilitated the transportation of two trucks of wood for the gardeners for garden fences. This is aimed to solve the problem of depredation of pigs in the garden. Presently, the Baka gardeners are inserting the planks in the garden perimeters to construct the fence. The quantity of seed has been prorated to provide for staggered production in the gardens. GeoAid has also been guiding them in time management by helping them to schedule their work according to seasonal and daily activities, and ensuring a good distribution of tasks in groups.

Plantain Farming:

This program follows the training offered by GeoAid to the communities to solve the problem of scarcity of good plantain seedlings which resulted to poor yields in the area of Lomie Messok and Ngoyla.
In this light, 12 consultation meetings were conducted first, with the Delegates of Agriculture of the three Administrative units mentioned above to involve them in the activity. Also, the 12 women who benefitted from recent training sessions were contacted for follow-up so they can develop and apply the lessons learned. Eight other interested producers have been encouraged to benefit from this program. In total, 20 producers have now been identified to benefit from the implementation of nurseries for plantain suckers awaiting the implementation of the program scheduled for March to meet with the cultivating calendar.

Corn Farming:

This program aims for the, provision and extension of good quality of corn seed as part of the diversification of agricultural production as well as expansion of income sources. In preparation of this project, 15 producers have been identified to benefit from this program. Some of whom are cane rat breeders, Baka organizations, and some initiative groups and potential poultry raisers.    80% of these people are on the site preparation phase. The 150 kg of corn seed that is to be purchased will be shared to these farmers in proportion to the size of their farms.

The next steps will involve sowing. The beneficiaries will receive this corn on loan and will have to refund the same amount of corn after harvest. This will help increase the amount of good corn seed in the area.

LIVESTOCK.

Production of chicken

This program aims to diversify sources of income, and serves as a continued response to anti-bushmeat initiatives and to reduce poaching of endangered/protected species. It also seeks to reduce the pressure on wildlife, provide jobs for youth and satisfy consumers. The new vision for this project is to make this activity more efficient and sustainable.

After the support given to a group of youth in the production of 350 chickens in two (02) batches of 150 and 200 for an income of 815,000 CFA francs in the second half of 2010, GeoAid has gone further to train some people of the locality who are dedicated and interested in the production chicken.

The training workshop organized and conducted in February saw the participation of 28 people. The criteria for choice of participants were determined by their interest in the activity. Among the participants, we had 04 Bakas and 24 Bantus. The presence of women had also been marked. A total of 10 women were present and 05 people who were not invited were present during the training. This shows the increasingly strong interest in domestic poultry production.

During the training, the following phases  were developed: the condition for creating a broiler farm, housing and equipment, feeding for broilers, technical management of the different phases of livestock, technical and financial management of a breeding of broilers and production of feed.

Our plan in the coming months is to establish four groups (cooperative associations) of chicken raisers who will be provided some chicks. The chicken raisers on their part are expected to participate in their development by constructing and establishing their poultry house (chicken coops).

Cane Rat Breeding

The objectives are the same as for raising chickens.  During the month, we facilitated the sales of 12 cane rats which made up 3

Selling of cane rat to IRAD officials

groups. Each group was sold for 50.000 FRS bringing a total amount of 150.000 FRS. It should be noted that this activity is quite profitable when he standards of breeding are respected.

In the next few days we will assist farmers in their organization into a formal group so that they are increasingly strengthened for mutual support, cooperation, and better marketing practices.

MICRO-ENTERPRISE:

Soap Production:

The aim of this project is to create a new source of income through the production of soap.

Within the month of February, a meeting was held with the women producing soap. The purpose of this meeting was to evaluate the production and sales of soap and to explore other measures through which the activity could produce even more household income. The women acknowledged that the soap produced is very helpful in their households. However, they complained that their sales are very slow given the fact that there are so many subsidiary soap products in the market. It was agreed that the 3rd soap production phase will be launched and new strategies put in place to impact and increase the competitive advantages of the local soap.

Bread Production:

Created with the objective to contribute to the supply of bread and pastry products in Lomie and to lead to better techniques in handling a bakery, the bread business is moving gradually to fulfilling its objective. The baker has improved hygiene and sanitation techniques as he keeps his bakery site in very neat conditions. However, sales have dropped as two of his sales points sellers are out of town. This month he baked bread just once. The baker with the encouragement of the GeoAid field staff is in quest for other sales points. The positive end of his search will lead to an increase in his bakery products which is very much appreciated by the people of Lomie.
Events & Program Support Meetings:

-Meeting with Lisa Peterson, Deputy at the US Embassy:

This meeting was attended by Mr. Mitchell and Helena to discuss the progress of GeoAid activities in Lomie as well as the collaboration between GeoAid and the Embassy to improve GeoAid activities in Lomie. Lisa promised to integrate the visit to GeoAid programs of Lomie during the US Ambassador’s visit to the area by May 2011.

-Two Meetings with Sight Savers on the possibilities of partnership to combat eye related diseases in the East, and precisely in Lomie.

-Meeting with Regional Delegate of health in the East Region. This meeting was to discuss the distribution plan of medical supplies to the various District hospitals of Lomie.

-Meeting with Peace Corps Director and staff. This meeting was held to discuss the possibilities of GeoAid benefiting from their volunteer program. These volunteers will help build GeoAid staff capacity and also improve GeoAid output.


Meetings: Weekly planning of activities

-These meetings are designed to be programmed sequentially according to future activities.
. During this month, 04 planning meetings were held. Actions planned during this   Meeting have led to the production of activities of the month.

-Visit of the Sub-Divisional officer of Lomie to GeoAid.
On the 24th of this month, GeoAid knew the visit of the new Sub-Divisional officer of Lomie accompanied by a delegation of 06 people including the Mayor of the Municipality of Lomie.  The visit was organized to enable the newly installed sub-divisional officer get in contact with public and private structures.

-This visit being the first of its kind over two years. The sub-divisional officer encouraged the field staff and assured GeoAid that it can count on his support.

-  Meeting by GeoAid with the Mayor of the Municipality of Lomié.: The purpose of the meeting was to get the opinion of the Mayor as concerns for the future management of the ambulance as the funds allocated for the operation is rather limited.
The Mayor agreed to begin the maintenance of the ambulance. He added that he will lead a discussion as concerns the fuel given the fact that it is very important. The mayor also requested that we should have the expertise of an engineer to assess the cost of repair timely for ongoing need of service in case of evacuations in the area.
MAILS RECEIVED AND SENT.


- Mails received
During the month of February 2011, we received 15 letters distributed as follows: 01 letter for support from community from teachers of the Kongo Primary school, 01 claim the premises / office SCNIC, 01 invitation to the reception at the reception ceremony halls of Christian Brothers, 01 letter for the visit of the new Sub-prefect in services and 11 letters of identification needs training center of Lomie Health District.

- Mails sent

Within the month we sent 32 mails comprised of 32 invitations for the training on the training workshop on the raising of broilers, 11 for the assessment of needs from health centers, 1 application for a hall for the training.

Other Activities:

- The ambulance had a break down, some used parts were purchased and the ambulance was repaired.

Difficulties encountered:

- Difficulties evaluating Baka farms.

Conclusion:

The month of February was a strong start with intensive activities, some of which are at the launching state; also tangible results could be seen in other projects. Though we encountered some difficulties in the implementation of some activities, we remain committed to strongly support our humanitarian and social mission and are optimistic that these programs launched will achieve expectations and good progress in the days ahead.

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GEOAID Cameroon January 2011 Activities

Sunday, February 6, 2011

INTRODUCTION

This report identifies the accomplishment of GeoAid following the contract of professional and socio humanitarian services with Geovic for the period of January 1st to 31st 2011. Our programs are moving forward, we have several new exciting ones in the development phase. The activities summarized here relate to programs in the fields of agriculture / livestock, gardens, production of chicken meat, health, completion of reports of pilot projects, Meetings, mails received and sent.

ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN;

Health

Donation of medicine;

The vision of GeoAid Cameroon is to support and improve on the Health system of Lomie District. To accomplish this objective, GeoAid facilitated medications and medical supplies from the USA to Cameroon. During the month of January, we continued with the arrangements for distribution of medical supplies with the District Doctor of Lomie. The delay has been due the unavailability of the Regional Delegate of Health based in Bertoua, who has to represent the MINSANTE during this donation ceremony. However, the District Doctor assured us that this event must be completed before the end of February 2011. The populations on their part are very anxious to have these medications as they help to up lift their health standards. We will request intervention from MinSante, Yaounde to resolve this delay.

Vaccination Campaign:

Within this month, logistic support was once again given to the Lomie District hospital to cover a vaccination campaign in the Lomie, Messok and Ngoyla districts. This campaign knew its success as people in these zones affected by river blindness were vaccinated with Mectizan. The detailed report and statistics will be submitted in the next report.

Evacuation:

Four evacuations were carried out within this month.03 of these evacuations were to Abong Mbang and 01 to Yaoundé. Two of the patients evacuated had an accident during the senior Divisional Officer’s tour specifically in the Messok region and were all evacuated to Yaounde with the help of the GeoAid donated ambulance.

Administration & Program Support Meetings

The Month of January was mostly centered on preparation of the GeoAid 2011 work plan and programs budget. Most of our GeoAid team made of Mr. Mitchell, Helena and Georgette had a meeting with the Geocam team made of Barb Filas, Tim Arnold, and their Consultant to brief them on the 2010 achievements and to review the socio Humanitarian plans for 2011.

Mr. Mitchell and Helena had a stop en route from Lomie with Pallisco, Had a meeting with Mr. Foussené Feteke , and Miss Ange Flore, their social representative. During this meeting we briefed them on the social works of GeoAid in Lomie and Cameroon at large. They were very interested in our programs especially the Education for the Baka children, and that they have as plan to construct 2 classrooms for the Baka this 2011.

GeoAid also participated highly in the senior divisional officer’s visit to Nkamouna by providing a vehicle and Driver to transport the GeoCam Team as well as the Divisional Officer’s delegates.

Infrastructure Development

We recently moved the GeoAid office in Yaounde, given that the lease held by GeoCam was concluded. This house will serve as an office, residence and also as storage for the forth coming medical supplies. During this month, we spent a great deal of our time packing, moving, and arranging the new site.

Donation of Back-Packs to Baka students;

Donation of Back-Packs

GeoAid in its vision to support the underprivileged and marginalized paid a visit to the dormitory own by Catholic brothers, Frere Roger and partners. Present during this visit was GeoAid’s Executive Director Mr. Mitchell, GeoAid Cameroon Representative Helena and the GeoAid Lomie staff Octave and Georgette. Mr. Mitchell personally handed the back-packs to the 18 Baka students present at the dormitory. This kind gesture was very much appreciated by Frere Roger and his collaborators. This gift serves as an encouragement to these orphans.

AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK

Agriculture

The agriculture program started in 2010 and which continued within this month January 2011 was mainly invested in the continuity of old programs that focused on market gardening. The main groups involved here are the Baka and Master Robert’s garden. The aim of these garden activities is to train and initiate young underprivileged people in this form of agriculture so as to meet the demand for vegetables and improve household nutrition.

Monitoring the activities of Master Robert’s garden.

Robert Garden’s activities were concentrated on the new site; crops grown are gradually being transplanted and undergo regular maintenance. The rocky nature of the soil and lack of sufficient workmanship has not been favorable to the production of some vegetables like tomato, okra, cabbage… needed in the local market.

Given the fact that the importance of consuming vegetable cannot be over emphasized, measures like the specialization of producers, and improved production techniques is being put in place to circumvent the difficulties mentioned above. Thus, this is the reason why the Baka gardens at Sissok  and Biebia have been started.

Monitoring of Baka gardens.

Between November and December 2010, the Baka gerdens of Sissok and Bessieba were still on the nursing stage. During this period of January 2011, they started transplanting the more mature seedlings from the nurseries to the tilled ridges as on the photos below. These plants include green pepper, leek, celery and cabbage. In total, about 500 plants were transplanted. The only crop which was planted directly into the soil is okra which is at the flowering stage. The first harvests are expected in the first half of February. It is from this moment that we will launch the marketing phase. This period will lead us to the orientation specialization in the production of certain crops. During this period they also continued with watering, weeding, tilling and fertilizer processing plant on a 100m2 of land.

Baka gardeners in the maintenance of the plots and the fight against locusts’ pests (Photos Octave)

Livestock

Production of Broiler: Second Batch

The second batch launched in November witnessed a great success. All the 200 broilers produced were bought within 20 days with a profit of 169.000 FRS CFA.A survey of future farmers is underway, while the old farm for its part is undergoing arranging the under floor spacing, or disinfection in preparation for the 3rd batch. Consumers meanwhile are impatient waiting for this dead time; people are already accustomed to eating chicken meat as it stands as a good source of protein alternative. This activity will discourage the potential poultry farmers for this next batch from consuming bush meat and while providing a source of income to these ones.

Cane Rat

Created to serve as a substitute to bush meat and also a lucrative business to meet the needs of cane rat raisers, The cane rat farming continues to be an encouragement to the farmers.
For now, the group of farmers has 15 young cane rats, including 10 females and 05 males. Given the fact that the sales can be done with a group of cane rats composed of 03 female and 01 male only 12 animals are ready for the sales. Therefore 03 groups consisting of 09 females and 03 males.
The holding of the constitutive assembly of cane rat raisers will be coming up soon. This activity remains the most anticipated and will certainly trigger a new boom in this sector.

Young Cane rats weaned at 03 months of age (ready for sales) from the farms sponsored by near framed by GeoAid.


Other livestock: Pig Raising

The area being attacked by the outbreak of swine fever, members of the Lomie community continue to request for assistance and veterinary care from GeoAid. This month, 03 applications were received from three farmers. As soon as the requests were received the delegation of Livestock joined GeoAid to fight against this epidemic, the latter providing the technical expertise and GeoAid veterinary products. A total of 30 pigs were treated. One of the beneficiaries of this aid is Mrs. ANKAMTSENE who owns 20 pigs of an improved breed.
This intervention was beneficial to the pig raisers as their animals were saved from a ravaging disease. This proves to be a sector which GeoAid could expand on in the nearest future.

Piglets receiving veterinary care (iron intake) at a farm with the support of GeoAid against a plague.


MICRO ENTERPRISE


Manufacture and sale of soap powder;

With the aim of empowering women to participate in welfare of their households, four women who received a refresher course in soap production are presently selling the powdered soap they produced in their various quarters. In the days ahead they will be producing this soap for the third time. The soap making is particularly helpful to these ladies as they no longer purchase soap in the markets. The income generated helps them purchase other household needs.

Project to support the creation of a bakery

The bakery project initiated to contribute to the availability of pastry products to consumers in Lomie and also to serve as a source of employment and a tool to alleviate poverty continued with its activities this month. However, the baker started this year at a very slow pace as concerns his activities. He produced pastry products thrice which amounted to 35.000 FRS. This activity remains lucrative and his plans are to speed up with the sales so that the three sales points which he had created will not run short of bread.

CONCLUSION

Activities during this first month of the year started at on a good note.  These activities initiated in the previous years remain very helpful to the members of the Lomie, Messok, Ngoyla communities.

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Bill Mitchell visits our Partner IMRES

Friday, January 21, 2011

Bill w/GeoAid's next "Africa Kit" (Treats 19,000 to 25,000 people--Retal Value: $480,000+

Bill Mitchell, Director of GeoAid, was able to stop by for a visit with valuable partner, IMRES, in Holland. IMRES supplies “Africa Kits” for GeoAid and is a supplier worldwide of wholesale-priced pharmaceuticals for emergency and development response. GeoAid accesses it’s Community Health “Africa Kits” through its partnership with Medical Teams International. GeoAid accesses it’s Community Health “Africa Kits – which treats over 20,000 people” from IMRES through its partnership with Medical Teams International.

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2010 Socio-Economic Pilot Projects Report

Monday, January 3, 2011

The final 2010 report from Cameroon with regard to the Socio-Economic Livelihood Pilot Projects in Agriculture, Micro/Small Enterprise, etc. which were initiated in mid-2009 and have continued to be monitored and evaluated through 2010.

Monitoring and evaluation by GeoAid staff clearly shows that we have met with surprising success across most of the projects. We do note that after a rough time, the Bakery is finally operational with good prospects of sustainability–and employs 5 people.  Staff spent 2 weeks collecting this final information–and we have high confidence in the results.  The report is about 14 pages, but a brief summary can be found on the GeoAid Website.

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African Medicine Kits Arrive

Thursday, October 28, 2010

GeoAid Cameroon is excited  to report that the 2 Africa kits, each of which will treat between 19,000 and 25,000 patients have been received in Yaounde. The kits were shipped from Holland at the request of our partner Medical Teams International.

The kits are specifically assembled with long-dated medicine to combat tropical diseases for infants through adults and include anti-malarial, anti-parasite, anti-biotic, infant vitamins, etc.

The retail value of each kit is approximately $490,000—totaling $980,000 of GIK contribution to GeoAid’s work on behalf of Geovic and GeoCam.

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Aid Container Arrives in Cameroon

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

GeoAid’ container shipment of donated medical supplies and equipment, in partnership with Medical Teams International arrived in Cameroon recently. Distribution of the $610,000 value of donations will be distributed in the coming weeks.

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