Category Archives: Health

Capacity Building, Children's Rights, Democracy, Girl Child, He 4 She, Health, Her Voice Club, Humanitarian Assistance, MenEngage, Women's Rights, Youth in the Picture

Let’s Beat COVID-19 and Peacebuilding Conversations

Posted on by denismikifoundation
08
Jun

Introducing our #LetsBeatCOVID and Peacebuilding Conversations

Individuals and organizations around the globe have mobilized to tackle the global pandemic that has caused so much uncertainty; yet most of us still have unmet aspirations and fears. The Coronavirus pandemic has shaken the world but despite that peace, security and human rights issues are still a major concern across different nations.

This initiative seeks to provide young people and women with a platform to have meaningful conversations on how the Coronavirus pandemic has affected their access to their basic human rights and also their meaningful engagement and participation in development and peacebuilding processes. Share educational resources, support, and guidance to make a meaningful difference that they can apply to real life situations in an engaging atmosphere.

Participants will have an opportunity to engage in weekly virtual conversations geared towards improving their resilience in tough situations, as well as practice important disasters and emergency management skills.

We are creating a safe space and platform for meaningful and practical exchanges for ensuring peace in times of uncertainty.

To join the Virtual Weekly #LetsBeatCOVID19 and Peacebuilding Conversations beginning on the 15th of June, 2020 at 12.30 PM GMT+1 to the 29th of June, 2020.

When:

Week 1: Jun 15, 2020 12:30 PM Africa/Douala (GMT+1)

Week 2: Jun 22, 2020 12.30 PM Africa/Douala (GMT+1)

Week 3: Jun 29, 2020 12.30 PM Africa/Douala (GMT+1) 

Register in advance for this meeting at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/upIuceutpj0iG9AH8lwCYLyqmzKbh7GPSuva

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

#COVID19 #Peacebuilding #Youth4Peace #Women4Peace #YoungPeacebuilders #WomenPeacebuilders

He 4 She, Health, Her Voice Club, Human Rights, Humanitarian Assistance, Volunteerism, WASH, Women's Rights, Youth in the Picture

Lets Beat COVID-19

Posted on by denismikifoundation
20
Apr

In an effort to #StopCOVID19 in Cameron, Denis Miki Foundation has been distributing free Reusable Face Masks to churches, starting with Christ Evangelical Ministry International while practicing social distancing, ensuring youth participation and gender mainstreaming with adolescent girls of the Her Voice Club and kid activists taking an active role in our #LetsBeatCOVID19 initiatives. The Face Masks are made following WHO and Center for Disease Control (CDC) prescriptions. This is following our training on the production of locally made Hand Sanitizers and distribution of free Reusable Face Masks in Bokwango village, in Cameroon.

In Cameroon the number of confirmed cases keeps increasing with a total over 900 and over 18 recorded deaths. In response to this alarming situation, the government of Cameroon through the Prime Minister on March 17, 2020 in a press conference announced some 13 actions and measures as government’s response in curbing COVID19. We keep seeing new actions being imposed on the community at both the national and decentralized levels. 

In our immediate community, we still on a daily basis try to convince the lay man or woman of the existence of COVID-19. This sad reality goes to show how the community is still in high denial of the realities of this global pandemic. In our outreaches to distribute resources, train and educate on the preventive measures of this disease we discover the local man or woman has limited knowledge on the virus, it’s symptoms and preventive measures.

As an effort to contribute to #StopCOVID19, Denis Miki Foundation (DMF) has been producing and distributing free Reusable Face Masks, training on the production of locally made Hand Sanitizers in vulnerable communities in Cameroon. The Face Masks and Hand Sanitizers are made following WHO and Center for Disease Control (CDC) prescriptions. We are also running an awareness and education campaign both online and offline using social and local media and platforms like churches, door-to-door sensitization. We ensure social distancing, youth participation and gender mainstreaming in the processes as we involve adolescent girls of the Her Voice Club and Kid activists in our #LetsBeatCOVID19 initiative. We have a fundraiser to mobilize resources to continue with other activities like the translation of key messages on COVID-19 to local languages, produce educative Cartoon books and eLearning games to educate children on the prevention of COVID19. We have impacted 1500 people in 3 villages and 2 towns and over 30,000 by media awareness.

Call to Action: Join us as we #BeatCOVID19 today at https://www.globalgiving.org/fundraisers/letsbeatcovid19/

Health, Her Voice Club, Leadership, Partnerships, Volunteerism, Youth in the Picture

DMF Volunteer and Her Voice Club Members Join Partners To Beat Cancer

Posted on by denismikifoundation
14
Jul

Youths Who Run the World was organized by the Cancer Research UK and the Youths Who Run the World organization under the theme “Healthy and Active Lifestyle”. This event was facilitated by the Noela Lyonga Foundation on the 13th of July 2019 for from 7am to 8am at Bongo square.  It was an event where youths ran for 10km in 206 countries.

Our Her Voice Club Project Coordinator; Nfomi Laura Berka and our Her Voice Club He 4 She Ambassador; Melony Joseph represented the Denis Miki Foundation Her Voice Club in this year’s Youths Who Run The World Cancer Campaign in Buea.

DMF Volunteer; Sylvia Leku was also among the participants for the July 13th Youths Who Run The World Beat Cancer Campaign.

This event started with a talk on how to live a healthy lifestyle, it was participatory as youths contributed. Some of which include; exercising 21/2 hours per week for people more than 18 years old, thinking and developing positive attitudes, not consuming more than 7 cubes of sugar per week for people more than 18 of age and the importance of rest at least 8 hours for the ages from 16-18. This followed up by some warm up.

Noela Lyonga joined us some minutes into the warm up, where she welcomed all youths and gave a brief summary of the line of activities, the motive and rationale for the program and project. This led to the main part of the program where we jugged round Bongo Square and Clarks Quarters in pairs. This activity was a lot of fun as we sang songs like “who run the world? Youths!!” “Small thing pickam” and others.

We concluded the activity with group pictures, interviews from radio and TV stations that were present. Organizations represented included; The Noela Lyonga Foundation, Her Voice Club, BONET, UB fan Club and others. The CEO/founder of the Noela Lyonga Foundation appreciated the efforts and initiative and encouraged us to be health advocates. 

Charity, Children's Rights, Health, Humanitarian Assistance, Leadership, Orphans & Vulnerable Children, Partnerships, Volunteerism, Youth in the Picture

Mandela Day Celebration in Limbe – July 18th, 2019

Posted on by denismikifoundation
08
Jul

We invite you to be part of the Mandela Day (#MandelaDayWithDMF) 2019 Celebration designed to provide humanitarian assistance by Non-Food Items (NFI), Food Items, Health Insurance and SMEs Start-up Capital to identified vulnerable individuals in Limbe and around the South West Region. The event will be hosted by the Denis Miki Foundation under the leadership of 2017 Mandela Fellow and 2018 Obama Foundation African Leader, Emily Miki. 

At the event you will have the opportunity to Share Love with our Cameroonian brothers and sisters and lend a hand as a way of Service to humanity. The event will be very interactive and you will have the opportunity to engage with and inspire persons who need a word and a support to make them realize they are loved and cared for.

The event which has support from a large team and family of DMF Volunteers (#DMFvolunteers), DMF Mentees (#DMFmentees), DMF donors, supporters and partners will also serve as a platform of networking at the place of service which is fundamental for key partnerships to be developed. 

The event is slated to hold on Thursday 18th July, 2019 at Limbe, South West Region, Cameroon at 11 a.m. The event is entirely free but as a condition of participation we are requesting your support to host the event with a donation from the list below and confirm your availability by emailing us at contact@denismikifoundation.cm or phone calls at 652 975 274. Your 1 or 2 bar(s) of soap will make a change in the project!

Donation(s) List 
1. Detergents/Omo 
2. Soap 
3. Food Items 
4. Hygienic Products 
5. BEPHA Health Insurance Sponsorship (6000CFA/$12) 
6. SME Startup Capital 
7. Educational Scholarship(s) 
8. In Cash Donations by MTN Mobile Money to 652 975 274, Orange Money to 693 235 512 or by Paypal at https://www.paypal.me/pools/c/8elh0vUs2W, by Visa or MasterCard at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=oTztjMWnAJEVUEvIrcAoLFJDhGOYbQfduYBnzaCRpqWZCarOg43R5OXf2mp5wNMNhDS0Nm&country.x=US&locale.x=

Girl Child, He 4 She, Health, Her Voice Club, MenEngage, Partnerships, Women's Rights, Youth in the Picture

Denis Miki Foundation Officially Becomes A Member of the MenEngage Cameroon Chapter

Posted on by denismikifoundation
28
May

Having signed up as a global member of MenEngage in the last few months, it was considered much needed to accept the call to belong to the local chapter of the MenEngage Alliance. Denis Miki Foundation has as 2 representatives for the MenEngage Alliance Cameroon Chapter one member from the Her Voice Club to be represented by Nfomi Laura Berka who will accompany a staff at DMF for meetings.

The aim of the MenEngage Alliance is to raise awareness of the influence men have in ending gender-based violence and speaking out against all kinds of inequality. This meeting was held on the 25th of May 2019 in Buea and was represented by one member of several organization all over Cameroon some of which includes; Big Step Outreach Network, Mother of Hope, Community Center for Intergraded Development, Hope family Life, Vision in Action, Reach Out Cameroon, MINPROFF and others.

The program started at 8:45am with the arrival, registration and introduction of member organizations. Also talks on why engage men in gender equality and several reasons where given like they form an integral part of the society and can also contribute to end violence. The Criteria was shared as to how one could join the movement like signing their memorandum of association by implication accepting their terms and conditions. Some organizations where voted such as:

  1. MenEngage Cameroon Coordinator; Community Center For Intergraded Development
  2. Child Rights Constituency; Hope Family Life
  3. Women’s rights Constituency; Mother of Hope Cameroon
  4. Youth Constituency; Sustainable Women Organization.
  5. Key population Constituency; Vision in Action
  6. HIV/AIDS Constituency; Big-Step Outreach Network.

DMF signed the Memorandum of Understanding and officially became a member of the MenEngage Alliance Cameroon Chapter.

Capacity Building, Children's Rights, Girl Child, He 4 She, Health, Her Voice Club, Leadership, MenEngage, Orphans & Vulnerable Children, Partnerships, Volunteerism, Women's Rights, Youth in the Picture

Her Voice Club Formed Following Focus Group Discussions with Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) on their Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR)

Posted on by denismikifoundation
23
Jan

Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) are faced with challenges particularly while engaging in relevant policy and program design processes that directly affect their lives. An example of this is absence and lack of meaningful engagement of adolescent girls and young women in national AGYW and youth related policy and program processes supported by or linked to the Global Fund. Gender inequalities limit the ability of young women to protect themselves from infection.

In 37 countries only 30% of young women had the knowledge to prevent HIV. Young women with HIV also face stigma and discrimination. To respond adequately to the needs of adolescent girls and young women, their voices and ideas must be heard. They must have the opportunity to shape policies and programs that affect them. This report presented is based on information gathered following consultative sessions through Focus Group Discussions with 48 AGYW in Cameroon to ensure their opinions and voices are captured to shape the decision making, implementation processes in the HIV/AIDS respond plans in Cameroon through the Global Fund.

        This report presents field consultation and analysis from this target group that represents their voices and opinions on a wide range of methods through which services like education can be provided to them. It provides a platform where we can ensure that they are able to seek and claim their rights to sexual health and HIV services. It highlights methods to contribute to the fight to end gender-based violence, a cause and consequence of HIV infections and proposes ways to create safe spaces for young women to become advocates and leaders in the HIV response and change harmful social norms to empower them.

The sessions that began with girls from 13 to 18 saw a lot of them having a lack of knowledge on HIV/AIDS. This was noticed because some of their answers to questions asked were incorrect and they were lacking on important knowledge about HIV/AIDS for example when it was coming to the difference between HIV and AIDS. A lot of them who were shy to speak at the beginning were able to start talking after a few minutes and we could watch their confidence grow and immediately after the session and our departure from the school a lot of them went on the internet to read more about HIV/AIDS and started following us on Facebook. The girls who participated at the Apostolic Comprehensive Secondary School have now began a club called Her Voice Club.

The AGYW who participated in the sessions out of the school campus had their sessions in outdoor environments, a choice made to create a space where they were comfortable and felt safe. The discussions created new friendships, exchange of life experiences and situations, knowledges and methods to engage them fully in the Global Fund processes. To be able to continue building on their capacities for their fully engagement in the Global Fund processes they proposed that a Whatsapp group should be created which was done of them and the Expert Trainers and the project team at DMF. A secret Facebook group was also to be created so that participants without Android Phones could be members. The team at DMF regularly shares workshop and consultative meeting opportunities at both the local, national and international levels, coach them in the application process so they can begin the engagement processes. Some are working closely with the team to build the article for the International Journal of Public Health so that they can be introduced to the processes and their capacities built.

Capacity Building, Girl Child, Governance, He 4 She, Health, Her Voice Club, Human Rights, MenEngage, Partnerships, Women's Rights, Youth in the Picture

Call For Expert Trainers

Posted on by denismikifoundation
27
Dec

PROJECT THEME: “Engaging the Voices, Opinions and Perspectives of AGYW groups in HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment Processes through Focus Group Discussions”

GOAL

The goal of this project is to provide a space for the meaningful consultation of Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) in Global Fund Cameroon processes as well as in Divisional, Regional and National processes to reduce new HIV infections among AGYW aged 15-24 to meet Global Fund targets.

OBJECTIVES

  1. To get the voices, perspectives and opinions of AGYW before designing and implementing HIV prevention polices/processes,
  2. To actively engage AGYW in HIV prevention efforts to improve acceptance and sustainable ownership of interventions, increase retention of AGYW in treatment programs and maximize impact
  3. To incorporate solutions proposed by AGYW into HIV prevention/treatment initiatives because AGYW are experts at understanding their own issues and designing solutions.

 

METHODOLOGY

-Together with the team at DMF, Expert Trainers will establish necessary criteria to carry out the study.

-Study procedure, will be explained to each participant by the experts prior to administering consent.

-Together with the team at DMF, the Experts will develop an interview framework that will enable the focus groups to examine risk factors for AGYW as well as strategies proposed by AGYW to address HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.

-The team of experts will determine the language of study, how the study will be conducted and the coding and consolidation system to make the study effective and the results reliable.

There will be 6 focus group discussions, 3 composed of AGYW aged 15-19 and another 3 composed of AGYW aged 20-24. Each group will comprise 8 participants making a total of 48. All sessions will be recorded and shall take place in Limbe between the 3rd to the 13th of January, 2019.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Expert Trainers in the fields of Health, Community Outreach and Service with proven track records on HIV/AIDS related programs most especially with previous and/or ongoing collaboration with Global Fund programs in Cameroon will be given more priority.

To apply send a One Page Abstract on the project theme attaching your most recent Curriculum Vitae (CV) to Denis Miki Foundation at contact@denismikifoundation.cm copying; Miss Emilia Miki emily@denismikifoundation.cm, Mr Emmanuel Vifansi emmanuel@denismikifoundation.cm, Miss Ndolo Ekema ndolo@denismikifoundation.cm and Mr Parviel Chirsir parviel@denismikifoundation.cm

Deadline: The deadline for submission of abstracts and CVs is the 30th of December 2018 at 11.59PM.

ABOUT DENIS MIKI FOUNDATION

Denis Miki Foundation is a development initiative that since December 2013 has worked with rural and urban-poor communities in Cameroon. Our programs at Denis Miki Foundation focus on primary health care, water, hygiene & sanitation targeting primary school children, youth, women and the underprivileged persons, conservation related activities, community development projects, vocational training and promoting sustainable agriculture, arts and talents promotion activities. DMF’s missions are to contribute to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and community development by empowering the people and their communities. We have as objectives to sustainably develop and enhance the capacities of the poor, vulnerable and rural areas of Cameroon.

 

ABOUT HER VOICE FUND

HER Voice is the result of various consultations with women organizations and women’s funds citing challenges faced, particularly by young women, while engaging in relevant policy and program design processes that directly affect their lives.

Through its “Community Rights and Gender Strategic Initiative”, the Global Fund has invested in HER Voice to support the meaningful engagement of adolescent girls and young women in national AGYW and youth related policy and program processes supported by or linked to the Global Fund, for an initial period of 12 months.

HER Voice believes that to respond adequately to the needs of adolescent girls and young women, their voices and ideas must be heard. They must have the opportunity to shape policies and programs that affect them. HER Voice collaborates with and compliment other initiatives geared towards strengthening quality of interventions targeting adolescent girls and young women.

The HER Voice Fund is jointly managed and administered by SHRH Africa Trust (SAT) and Eastern Africa National Networks of AIDS Service Organizations (EANNASO).

Health, WASH Programs

World Water Day 2018 Celebrated Under The Theme Nature For Water

Posted on by denismikifoundation
23
Mar

To commemorate World Water Day 2018 celebrated on the 22nd of March, DMF partnered with the Regional Delegation of the Ministry of Water and Energy Resources and other stakeholders as a member of the Taskforce and representative of Civil Society Organisations. The one week activity included Call-in sensitization programs on EDEN RADIO Limbe to sensitize and educate the entire community of Limbe and other neighbouring towns on the importance of water to life and our collective role in the proper management of the natural resource made available for us.

With a growing population and increasing need for portable water to meet the needs of the community, the Bonadikombo Water Catchment and Management Committee is an exemplary Community Based Approach of solving our present water crisis. To commemorate the 2018 World Water Day which is celebrated today the 22nd of March we joined the Regional Delegation of the Ministry of Water Resources and Energy, The Limbe 1 Council, CAMWATER, Community Water Management Committees and other stakeholders in a working visit to the Bonadikombo Water Catchments where we learned on how they have in the last 30 to 40 years supplied water to the population of Mile 4, Ewongo and other neighbouring communities with an almost 95% success rate. Using the Community Assets Based Approach of solution provision and problem solving building on smaller Spring Catchments in local communities in Cameroon is seen to be the best approach to solve the Water Crisis that is an alarming community challenge in the nation today.

A round table discussion that brought together all water stakeholders; the councils, ministries, civil society, media and community water management committees gave a platform for deliberations, debates and the drawing up of resolutions on how to manage our water needs and challenges. Also challenges faced and best practices that have worked well for some stakeholders were shared and tools of water management were shared.

The celebration which ended with an open day event under the patronage of the Governor of the South West Region had a mix of arts and culture with artist performing educative songs on water and it’s importance to life, how we should manage our natural water sources and protect it from bacteria and prevent water borne diseases like Cholera and Typhoid.

Capacity Building, Girl Child, Health, Her Voice Club, Leadership, Partnerships, Women's Rights, Youth in the Picture

Young Commited Peer Educators Set Out To Fight HIV/AIDS In Communities Around Cameroon

Posted on by denismikifoundation
01
Apr

At the age of 24 I started on a journey to give back to my community through a holistic empowerment program that I named Denis Miki Foundation. It was a self-bound vision but which could not be implemented alone for the impact I had envisioned for the future. To be able to attain my set out goals I needed to get others in the community involved and one of the target groups I needed in my team to work where youth. So as a Social Entrepreneur I set out to recruit young volunteers to join me in my vision for change.

One of the areas I felt needed intervention was the Health Sector but my entry level was more of a preventive and community health approach. So Denis Miki Foundation recruited volunteers who were trained and prepared for service to the community through partnerships with local and international partners. At the beginning of the journey 5 volunteers were recruited but 4 years later we are counting 30 and above committed volunteers who are from the ages of 12 to 35 and who are proposing solutions to challenges in our communities.

In the area of health DMF as a Sub-Contractor for a Global Fund project in partnership with Reach Out Cameroon and IFPP on HIV/AIDS we have 20 young girls aged between 16-35 on the field as HIV/AIDS Peer Educators educating their peers who are school-drop-outs on preventive measures of HIV/AIDS, how to live responsible lives, to go for free HIV/AIDS screening at partner health centers, and mobile HIV/AIDS screening outreach programs at local community markets.

Ijang Valerine an 18 years old is one of the Young Female Peer Educators who has for the last 7 months given back to her community by educating young girls and boys of her age group on the ills of HIV/AIDS and how it affects economic growth and hinders orphaned children growing up after losing a parent to AIDS from growing up in a family with parental care and support. Valerine teaches her peers why it is important to know how to prevent being infected by the virus, screen for HIV/AIDS regularly and how to manage the disease if already infected with the virus and how to prevent Mother-To-Child Transmission. She has been able to also recruit new young girls to join her as volunteer Peer Educators in the fight against HIV/AIDS in our communities.

Like Valerine, the other young girls are finding their purpose as they give back to their communities. It is part of Denis Miki Foundation’s goal to get Youths In The Picture for development through Health, Sports, Arts and Talent for a healthy and economically empowered Cameroon and Africa as a whole. To be able to do this we are open to new partnerships and funding opportunities. And welcome partners from all over as we join hands to create the change we want

Capacity Building, Girl Child, Health, Her Voice Club, Human Rights, Leadership, Partnerships, Volunteerism, Women's Rights, Youth in the Picture

Young Female HIV Peer Educators/Volunteers Trained

Posted on by denismikifoundation
10
Oct


Denis Miki Foundation is aware of her legal and moral obligation to protect the rights of all, the responsibility of individuals to act and the benefits of diversity to society and is conscious that HIV/AIDS is a human rights issue too. With the need to partner for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal had Young Female HIV/AIDS Peer Educators be trained in the Peer Educators training by Presse Jeune Developpement and Center for Media and Strategic Communication in partnership with Reach Out Cameroon.

In all our activities health education talks and campaigns are not left out and this is to economically empower the people and communities for healthy lifestyles. It is vital for Denis Miki Foundation to include Health education talks, sensitizations and campaigns in her projects and activities. This is in the areas of HIV/AIDS, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Water and Sanitation. It is one of our goals to implement larger projects on health in the poor rural and urban communities we work with since most of them are faced with health challenges of HIV/AIDS, Malnutrition and many others. The HIV/AIDS trainings are facilitated by the trained Peer Educators who were trained by Presse Jeune Developpement and Center for Media and Strategic Communication in partnership with Reach Out Cameroon.

The Peer Educators will be going into the field to train their peers on HIV/AIDS prevention, how to use the female condom, prevention and available HIV/AIDS management methods.

[TWTR]