Welcome to the Sts. Stephen and Paul s Foundation (SPF ... · Welcome to the inaugural issue of the...

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Welcome to the inaugural issue of the SPF newsletter “Serving God by Sa(er)ving others”, in consonance with SPF’s motto. The newsletter will provide regular updates to people like you. As you may know, the Saints Stephen And Paul’s Foundation (S.P.F.) is a Christian Non-Profit Making and Non-Governmental Organization officially registered on August 1 st 2001 with Registration No. 008/E: 29/Vol.8/APPB. SPF’s mission to reach the un-reached in society (by government or the church) engenders activities in 3 domains: Outreach, Health and Education. Target population includes: complete orphans, epileptics, HIV/AIDS patients, abandoned elderly citizens, the youth etc. Since its official launching in 2003 by the Mayor of Bafut, SPF has evolved into the leading NGO in Bafut and is already one of the most life- transforming NGOs in the North West province of Cameroon. SPF has identified 3265 orphans and has been able to help 1664, ranging from paying school fees, apprenticeship fees, to buying medication. SPF has trained 20 community based organizations, paid for medical expenses of the needy, provided a (still poorly equipped) public library, amongst many other things you will read about in this newsletter. All of these have been made possible by supporters like you and partners. The challenges are still enormous and overwhelming. SPF has gained so much reputation that almost all programs within the Bafut Health District are executed by them. SPF is now charged with training and supervising a total of fifty-six (56) Community Based Organizations Roseline is back! Volume 1, Issue 1, 2007 Welcome to the Sts. Stephen and Paul’s SPF) Newsletter (CBOs). SPF continues to monitor and supervise the Roll Back Malaria Control Activities in all the nine (09) Health Areas in the Bafut Health District. A government decree of 002/02/2000 determined that SPF must be represented in the Secondary Schools Management Board Meetings and must, from January 2007, attend all coordination meetings of the Health District. SPF continues to administer drugs to fifty eight (58) epileptic patients, bring food to the needy and desperate cases on a daily basis and provide them with basic needs. The organization also continues to pay fees, register and buy school needs for orphans and support apprenticeship programs for those in vocational trainings. SPF still faces some challenges that require immediate resolution. The death toll continues to soar hence, more and more orphans are left helpless. This is a task SPF must meet! Funds are greatly limited. Projects on standby due to lack of funds include: i) a need for a community ambulance; ii) community outreach activities, like: health talks in schools and market squares; iii) The office remains a centre for counseling for disappointed youths, men and women with problems of different magnitude. There is need for counseling and rehabilitation building (centre); iv) The library needs more books and a computers with internet; v) the need for more staff to carry our some of these pressing needs and run the community awareness programs. We are thankful to God for using your support to transform lives and give hope to people in Bafut and beyond. May God continue to provide through you. Prayerful consider giving to support any of these life-saving programs. Please share these needs with others and remember to pray for SPF and the work. (See our prayer needs at the end). We are grateful for your support. May God bless. Dear Reader, Warmest Greetings to you all from SPF base in Bafut, Cameroon. We are overwhelmed by joy at some of the events that have occurred over the past year. We feel honored to inform you that Roseline is back, after her successful surgery in Germany. Her story has brought tremendous inspiration to us all, and goes to show what faith, compassion and determination can do for those in need. Roseline’s story is incredible, and I would want to warn you about one of the images you will see for its graphic nature. Reaching the un-reached By Tafuh Nestus Che, SPF Coordinator The Mayor of Bafut Mr. Akoso Henry at the SPF official Launching in 2003 By Ndonwi Wilfred, SPF employee Continued on page 3 8 8 6 3 New partnerships for transforming lives 2 Saving lives: Epileptics and HIV/AIDS patients 2 1 1 Welcome by the Coordinator In this Issue: 8 8 6 3 New partnerships for transforming lives 2 Saving lives: Epileptics and HIV/AIDS patients 2 1 1 Welcome by the Coordinator In this Issue:

Transcript of Welcome to the Sts. Stephen and Paul s Foundation (SPF ... · Welcome to the inaugural issue of the...

Welcome to the inaugural issue of the SPF newsletter “Serving God by Sa(er)ving others”, in consonance with SPF’s motto. The newsletter will provide regular updates to people like you. As you may know, the Saints Stephen And Paul’s Foundation (S.P.F.) is a Christian Non-Profit Making and Non-Governmental Organization officially registered on August 1st 2001 with Registration No. 008/E: 29/Vol.8/APPB. SPF’s mission to reach the un-reached in society (by government or the church) engenders activities in 3 domains: Outreach, Health and Education. Target population includes: complete orphans, epileptics, HIV/AIDS patients, abandoned elderly citizens, the youth etc. Since its official launching in 2003 by the Mayor of Bafut, SPF has evolved into the leading NGO in Bafut and is already one of the most life-transforming NGOs in the North West province of Cameroon. SPF has identified 3265 orphans and has been able to help 1664, ranging from paying school fees, apprenticeship fees, to buying medication. SPF has trained 20 community based organizations, paid for medical expenses of the needy, provided a (still poorly equipped) public library, amongst many other things you will read about in this newsletter. All of these have been made possible by supporters like you and partners. The challenges are still enormous and overwhelming. SPF has gained so much reputation that almost all programs within the Bafut Health District are executed by them. SPF is now charged with training and supervising a total of fifty-six (56) Community Based Organizations

Roseline is back!

Volume 1, Issue 1, 2007

Welcome to the Sts. Stephen and Paul’s Foundation (SPF) Newsletter

(CBOs). SPF continues to monitor and supervise the Roll Back Malaria Control Activities in all the nine (09) Health Areas in the Bafut Health District. A government decree of 002/02/2000 determined that SPF must be represented in the Secondary Schools Management Board Meetings and must, from January 2007, attend all coordination meetings of the Health District. SPF continues to administer drugs to fifty eight (58) epileptic patients, bring food to the needy and desperate cases on a daily basis and provide them with basic needs. The organization also continues to pay fees, register and buy school needs for orphans and support apprenticeship programs for those in vocational trainings. SPF still faces some challenges that require immediate resolution. The death toll continues to soar hence, more and more orphans are left helpless. This is a task SPF must meet! Funds are greatly limited. Projects on standby due to lack of funds include: i) a need for a community ambulance; ii) community outreach activities, like: health talks in schools and market squares; iii) The office remains a centre for counseling for disappointed youths, men and women with problems of different magnitude. There is need for counseling and rehabilitation building (centre); iv) The library needs more books and a computers with internet; v) the need for more staff to carry our some of these pressing needs and run the community awareness programs. We are thankful to God for using your support to transform lives and give hope to people in Bafut and beyond. May God continue to provide through you. Prayerful consider giving to support any of these life-saving programs. Please share these needs with others and remember to pray for SPF and the work. (See our prayer needs at the end). We are grateful for your support. May God bless.

Dear Reader, Warmest Greetings to you all from SPF base in Bafut, Cameroon. We are overwhelmed by joy at some of the events that have occurred over the past year. We feel honored to inform you that Roseline is back, after her successful surgery in Germany. Her story has brought tremendous inspiration to us all, and goes to show what faith, compassion and determination can do for those in need. Roseline’s story is incredible, and I would want to warn you about one of the images you will see for its graphic nature.

Reaching the un-reached

By Tafuh Nestus Che, SPF Coordinator

The Mayor of Bafut Mr. Akoso Henry at the SPF official Launching in 2003

By Ndonwi Wilfred, SPF employee

Continued on page 3

And lots more…

8Prayer requests

8Testimony and Acknowledgements

6Helping make the blind see

3New partnerships for transforming lives

2Saving lives: Epileptics and HIV/AIDS patients

2The Orphan project: Hope for Children

1Roseline is back! A life-transforming story

1Welcome by the Coordinator

In this Issue:

And lots more…

8Prayer requests

8Testimony and Acknowledgements

6Helping make the blind see

3New partnerships for transforming lives

2Saving lives: Epileptics and HIV/AIDS patients

2The Orphan project: Hope for Children

1Roseline is back! A life-transforming story

1Welcome by the Coordinator

In this Issue:

It is difficult to imagine the sufferings of orphans, children that have very little or nothing to begin with, having had everything torn away from them. Long gone are the days when orphans were few in Africa, and received all the attention they needed from their extended families. The African society is no longer what it used to be, when there was no uncle but father, no aunt but mother, no nephew but son, no niece but daughter, no cousins but brothers and sisters. Since the late eighties the pandemic HIV/AIDS is devastating the African continent, and has claimed many lives leaving behind many more orphans and miserable families. The resulting social and economic pressure is more than any traditional African society, no matter its wealth, can bear. Statistics show that in the year 2005 AIDS orphans (age 0-17) were 240.000 in Cameroon. Of all the struggles for survival in Africa, orphans suffer most. Most families consider orphans as “outsiders” or “outcasts” and leave them to fend for themselves. They are neglected, marginalized, discriminated against, and stigmatised in several cases. As a result of this, these children are very vulnerable to societal vices such as child trafficking, child labour, child abuses, prostitution, drug abuse and neglect. Some family heads in the African society have even gone so far as to appropriate to themselves the wealth and property of the late parents of some of the orphans, leaving these children in misery and

The Orphan project: Hope for Children GIVE TOMORROWS’ HOPE A BETTER CHANCE

What does Epilepsy and HIV/AIDS have in common?

Well, for starters, I will say they are both health conditions, but then

Saving the lives of Epileptics and HIV/AIDS patients

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abject poverty. Everyday, the situation worsens. Young girls between 13-14 years are already unmarried mothers with very little or no financial support. At such a tender age, most of these girls are unable to take proper care of themselves, let alone their children. With no parent figure in their own lives, they are unable to be responsible parents, As a result the children born to premature mothers are subsequently abandoned to themselves and the vicious circle of misery continues. Cameroon, like many sub-Saharan African countries, faces poverty which is made worse by the effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The government alone cannot take care of these orphans. This is where you and SPF come in. For less than $100, a child’s needs, including fees, uniform, and books can be covered for a year. In Bafut, SPF has identified more than 3000 suffering orphans and has tried to support nearly half of them. These children need a permanent sponsor who can give them parental love, and support them acquire basic rights in life: basic education, health care, food and clothing. More and more are being identified each passing day. Together we can give some hope to the many orphans. They represent not only the future of Cameroon or Africa, but that of the world. If you feel like God is leading you to be part of the SPF orphan project, please contact SPF at www.stsspf.org or through SPF International partner ARA Corp www.aracorporation.org .

quickly add that: both are associated with stigma in Cameroon and other sub-Saharan countries. Worst still, both are associated to witchcraft by many. And the consequence?

These medical problems and the unfortunate

social stigma associated with them have combined with poverty to become a lethal force, as both epileptics and HIV/AIDS patients suffer gruesome deaths and conditions that

By Peter Nebangwa, African Renaissance Ambassador Corp, USA.

“The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you

did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you

did for me.'” - Mt 25: 40

By Wilfred Ngwa, SPF International

Continued on page 5

"What God the father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans … in their suffering..." James 1: 27

Won’t you join in helping to bring life-saving care to

an ignorant orphan suffering the injustice of poverty?

Won’t you join in helping to bring life-saving care to

an ignorant orphan suffering the injustice of poverty?

The next Mandela can’t go to school, no parent – no food?

Won’t you join in helping to bring life-saving care to an innocent orphan suffering the injustice of poverty?

Roseline Ngwen is only 8 years old. One of her hands is like the tail of a giant python, extending longer than her whole body. In her home of Mbebili Bafut, Cameroon, many villagers believed she was suffering from witchcraft. As a result, she was cursed, abandoned, and severely handicapped, as naked as Eve. Her only life line was the poor woman who brought her into this world. But her mother could barely afford a meal for Ngwen, who would sit all day on a bamboo chair in front of her mother’s house. Several years ago, Roseline’s family abandoned mother and daughter adding pain to an already very difficult situation.

It seemed all was lost but Roseline’s story took a dramatic turn for the better, after SPF discovered her. SPF did not have the financial

Roseline is Back! (continued from page 1)

SPF recognizes the need for building partnerships in order to serve more effectively. In fact a major source of SPF support comes from her partners:

In collaboration with International Children Welfare Foundation (I.C.W.F.), SPF arranged and Roseline Ngwen of Mbebeli Bafut with an arm tumor was evacuated for Germany for medical attention.

Other beneficial partnerships include those with:

New Partnerships for transforming lives

Photos: (Top) Roseline discovered in Mbebili village;

(Bottom) After major surgery in Germany

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resources for her medical needs, until SPF got in contact with Dr Fon Tamunjoh, the Cameroon Project Manager for the Germany based Humanitäre Hilfe e.V.

It was discovered that Roseline was suffering from a severe form of elephantiasis which could not be treated in Cameroon. With SPF representing Roseline, financial support was raised from Germany, and finally she was evacuated to Germany for surgery at the University Clinic in Tübingen There, after careful examination, her whole python-like hand was amputated.

Further medical care including a lengthy rehabilitation program were necessary to improve on Roseline’s health situation to enable her to live like a human being.

“My greatest wish is to be able

to walk, one day, again” said Roseline. In preparation for her return home, a new house was completed and furnished for the family. You can imagine the headline news in Mbebili village! Roseline is back! She may have only one arm now, but the message is clear: “God is everywhere. Even when we think He has abandoned us.”

Thinking It Over Sometimes we feel God is not there. We feel abandoned, as Job did. When we are swept off our feet, we should land on our knees. Thank God for helping Roseline. He can help you through your challenges as well.

Plan Cameroon

One major objective if SPF is to fight infant mortality. Cognizant of this, Plan-Cameroon selected SPF as a partner through the signing of the Protocol Agreement with her on the 28th September 2004. After working with the SPF for one year on the implementation of programs like Community- Integrated Childhood Illnesses (C-IMCI) and Hope For the African Children Initiative (HACI) in three village communities being Nchum, Mambu and Mforya, training twenty (20) Community Based

Organizations, Plan Cameroon signed another partnership agreement with SPF in January 2007. “No One NGO with Good financial tracking, accountability reliability. It is the joy of Plan to continue partnership with SPF if it means working only with one NGO in Cameroon!” - Remark Plan Cameroon.

African Renaissance Ambassador(ARA) Corp, USA

SPF has also signed an agreement with ARA Corp, USA to

By Mr. Che Nestus, SPF Coordinator

“One hand cannot tie a bundle” – African saying

Continued on page 6

“How do you explain eternal life to a starving poor and needy person?” Mrs. Catherine Befu

SPF lost two dear active members: Mrs. Regina Nchotu who died (may her soul rest in peace) and Miss Winifred who is incapacitated by illness.

How did it start?

‘Obviously, it began with an idea, some amount of faith and desire to bring the love of Christ to the unloved,” says Mr. Ihimbru Samuel, Vice Principal of GTC Nkambe. “After observing these traits in Mrs. Catherine Befu, I approached her with the idea of channeling her daily activities under the umbrella of an organization. She then invited Ms Gertrud Ernst, Rev A Su, and Carolin Huber, people with the right heart for the gargantuan task.’ Now Six years later, SPF is expanding beyond the Bafut Sub-Division to Mankon and beyond.

The SPF Vision!

Page 4

The testimony is that SPF has seen that if you truly have faith even as small as a mustard seed, you can indeed ask the mountain to move. This is a daily reality for SPF. No other explanation for such an impact with limited resources. The ultimate hope and vision is that God can be made real in the lives of those SPF serves. It is ultimately about salvation, evangelism through service. All the credit belongs to Jesus himself. Many lives have been saved both physically and spiritually. Are you willing to give of yourself, your time? Will you support SPF through a gift or prayer? We invite you to be part of the vision.

SPF Visioneers, co-founders and Honorary members: Mrs Catherine Befu Ngwa (left) removing jiggers from the abandoned poor and needy (un-reached) in Bafut, and Rev Aaron Su (right) in SPF public library.

Visioneers, co-founders and Honorary members: Ms Gertrud Ernst (far left) during HIV/AIDS awareness campaign and Mr. Ihimbru Sam (second from right) during SPF launching

SPF former coordinator - Mr. Mforgang Emmanuel (left photo) handing over mosquito nets to the Nchum village community based organization; New SPF honorary member, Mrs Juliana Tangyie – a crucial part of the SPF Health vision

• Outreach: basic care, food and clothing for the un-reached

• Basic health for

those who cannot afford crucial medication and hygiene

• Basic Education

rights for children (orphans) and the youth

warrant you and me to step in and do something, as human beings of goodwill.

Many studies in developed regions of the world have confirmed that stigma contributes substantially to the psychological and social burden of epilepsy. Relatively few studies of epilepsy-associated stigma have been conducted in Africa, where much of the world’s burden of epilepsy exists. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), particularly in rural regions, close family ties, communal living situations, and traditional belief systems undoubtedly influence the expression of stigmatization. A review of the epidemiologic, anthropologic, and sociologic studies of epilepsy in SSA provides significant insights into how People With Epilepsy (PWE) are perceived by their communities and families, and how these perceptions translate into limited social and economic opportunities and possibly worsen the physical vulnerability of PWE in this region. The medical community is not exempt from the social process of stigmatization, and poor public health infrastructure and medical services undoubtedly contribute to the cycle of epilepsy-associated stigma through wide treatment gaps, poor seizure control, and high rates of seizure-related injury. The treatment gap among PWE, the proportion of people who warrant medical care but are not receiving anticonvulsants, ranges from 65 to 95% in SSA and is highest in rural areas where SPF has been reaching out. This gap results from several factors: belief systems that attribute epilepsy to supernatural rather than medical causes, a dearth of health care facilities, health care workers with inadequate training in epilepsy diagnosis and care, and the substantial direct and indirect costs of care seeking. As a result of the treatment gap, many PWE in SSA experience frequent, uncontrolled seizures in a physical environment where such seizures may result in severe burns, drowning, and fractures. The most obvious and feared stigmata of epilepsy in Africa is burns. Much of the cooking is done over open fires, and during cool winter months people spend long hours next to the fire for warmth. Hence, a common complication of epilepsy is severe burns. Burn scars are seen as an ominous mark of intractable epilepsy. Many traditional healers interpret burns as having sealed the fate of an epileptic patient. Epilepsy-associated stigma is a devastating burden to PWE in Cameron. Interventions to decrease stigma are desperately needed. Public education is generally advocated

Saving the lives of Epileptics and HIV/AIDS patients (continued from page 2)

BTW, a Bafut HIV/AIDS patient became a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Read the story on page 7

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as the best approach to stigma reduction, but given the deeply ingrained beliefs about epilepsy etiology and the far-reaching social, medical, and economic impact of epilepsy in this environment, stigma-reducing interventions must be thoughtfully developed on the basis of qualitative and quantitative assessments of the factors mediating stigma in this region. SPF is at the forefront in the fight against stigma and helping epileptics in Bafut, Cameroon. Because limited resources are available for undertaking stigma-reducing interventions, this has led to many lethal consequences. More support is needed to intervene and provide medication, especially for the most vulnerable (e.g., women and children). A better understanding of how the burden of epilepsy-associated stigma intersects with the devastation imparted by the ongoing AIDS epidemic in this region is also required. SPF has also been actively involved in fighting HIV/AIDS stigma through HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns in schools and through the training of 20 Community Based Organizations (CBO) with support from Plan Cameroon. So far, the CBOs have to some extent succeeded in breaking the myths and the mysteries surrounding HIV/AIDS. A good number of persons in the communities now go for voluntary screening to know their status. The community members now readily admit that HIV/AIDS is real and are doing everything within their power to stem HIV/AIDS, STDs, irresponsible and sexual misbehaviors in the community. Believe it my brother/sister, these activities are saving lives.

An epileptic in Ntabuweh village, Bafut with a severe burn. One of the un-reached SPF is attending to. It is known that 60% of patients infected with HIV have a seizure at some point in their lifetime and this may soon become a leading cause of seizure disorder.

Helping make the Blind see

1. Promote and carry out ARA activities in the area of education in Cameroon. 2. Provide office space and stationary support for the Licensed ARA ‘Regional Coordinator’ in Cameroon "ARA" will be responsible for: 1. Rallying and providing material, information and financial support for SPF activities in the area of education 2. Providing a stipend for an SPF employee from January 01 2007 ARA USA (www.aracorporation.org) is a Non-profit Non-governmental organization, which exists to promote the African Renaissance, nurture greater and more active involvement of Africans at home and abroad, in solving Africa’s problems. This mission is achieved through transformative education towards a change in mentality and adoption of a renaissance ethos, awareness building on the benefits of greater involvement, building partnerships for Africa’s

New Partnerships for transforming lives (continued from page 3)

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When we learnt about mama Miriam, we paid her a visit on the 20th of January 2006 and discovered that three of them were captives of their situations. They were eaten up by jiggers. Jiggers were on their beds, feet, fingers and palms. All of them looked so dirty and stinking with excrement.

Mama Miriam’s son, Neba Joseph, was unable to move because of the jiggers in his foot, so he would defecate on his bed and pants. Because she was blind, his mother did same.

Meanwhile, Monica Sirri, the wife of Joseph Neba had a very big hernia on her groin. It took five of us five days to do the “ jiggers operation”, the washing of their clothes, bathing them, and keeping their house clean. The very dirty clothes and useless things were burnt and we supplied them with new beddings, shoes, soap, and food items. One of the days they hurled insults at us even as we were working. Each time

sustainable development, preparing Africans traveling abroad, and facilitating foreign support to African development. Part proceeds from the ARA book “From Dust to Snow: Bush-faller” will also go to support the work of SPF.” Roll Back Malaria: SPF also signed a Protocol Agreement with the National Roll Back Malaria Committee on 16th May 2006. Two members of SPF were trained at the Provincial Delegation of Public Health, Bamenda on the Programme for three days. Through the partnership, SPF has trained seventy-five members of the nine (09) Health Areas in Bafut Health District on the Roll Back Malaria Programme using a budget of one million, six hundred and eighty-seven thousand, five hundred francs (1,687,500frs) provided by Global Funds via the Ministry of Public Health. On the 1st of December 2006, SPF in collaboration with the Bafut Health District organized the World AIDS Day, giving lectures and

demonstrations in Schools, Market Squares and Public meetings places in Bafut Health District. SPF invites support and partnerships with organizations at home and abroad including volunteer partnerships, so we can build more partnerships for transforming lives.

Proceeds of the book go in support of SPF work: you can support SPF by buying the book at www.aracorporation.org

By Ndonwi Wilfred, SPF employee

SPF volunteer Ms Shu Helen(at right) spent 8 tough days in the hospital as caretaker for Mami Miriam (at left)

Continued on page 7

Bravo Ms Linda Bihtaku, President of Health and Solidarity Association, listed in the World Directory of Associations of People living with HIV/AIDS. Founded in 2001 and funded by the World Bank through National AIDS Control Committee Bamenda, Cameroon, Linda led the association made up of 30 HIV-positive men and women between the ages of 23 and 65 years.

Linda herself has been supported by SPF in paying for her antiretroviral drugs. A very solid and inspiring Linda decided to stop running and face the monster, and she has helped many other HIV-positive people overcome stigma and live. Here is Linda’s moving story

“While in Medical School, reading nursing I decided to carry out a voluntary HIV/AIDS test. I can never forget the day the doctor told me my results were positive. I could not believe it. At that moment it was like I was the first person to ever have such an infection. I felt like the world was coming down on me, but the Doctor asked me not to be discouraged. I hung on to complete my medical course. I then got a position to work with the medical staff of the Presbyterian Mission. It was now very difficult for me, because screening was done before any recruitment. I suffered from emotional stress for months. My life was shattered, like the twin towers on September 11. Usually when something is shattered, stress has no further impact on

Fighting the killer within: HIV/AIDS

we asked them to pray with us, they would be eating during such times and careless about the prayers. In hindsight, we understood that sometimes it doesn’t do anyone much good to tell them “God bless you” when they are hungry or without clothes. So we continued with our practical religion of caring for them. On February 28, we took Mama Miriam to the Mbingo Baptist Hospital, and on the 13th of March her eyes were operated upon and she regained her sight. While still in the hospital, she became so aggressive. For two good days she did not sleep, she was restless, moving round the hospital, disturbing and messing every place in the hospital with excrement and urine, shouting and saying that she wanted to go home. Valium could not solve the situation, so the nurses had to tie her up for some time and drug her to sleep till the day she was to be discharged.

We made several follow up trips to and from Mbingo hospital with mama Miriam for control. SPF paid the complete bill for the operation (One hundred and eleven thousands, nine hundred and sixty- five francs). Traveling expenses for weekly visits, needs and other items like beddings are not included. We thanked our member Shu Helen who endured all the hardship as caretaker during those eight

Helping make the Blind see (continued from page 6)

Page 7

it, right? That was not the case with me. I felt useless in the society, in life. I had lost all the things I used to dream of, my studies, career, my husband, hope, etc. Many people waited for my death. Fortunately, I joined an organization, which fights against AIDS called GTZ. I started giving testimonies for payment to keep up with my treatment. However, the treatment was so expensive that I could not afford it with the little money given to me after each testimony. I stayed for another year without treatment, just living by God's grace. I did voluntary work in a treatment centre for HIV/AIDS where I met many patients. Then I felt like I had a new call. I called a few of the patients, to start the Help Association to share our ideas about the common problems we encountered. We registered the organization and many people began to join – up to 60 persons now. Any new case came to me for advice. I counseled patients on how to cope and live again. Because of the stigma, many people adopted the refusal status I had earlier adopted myself. My organization made HIV visible by giving testimonies, home visits to sick ones, taking care of orphans, etc. The organization offered capacity building and income generating activities to help members to be self-employed (since no one wanted to offer us jobs). All of this made many people come out of their shells and joined the fight.” SPF is happy to have supported Linda. Bravo! May God bless and sustain her.

days at the hospital. Ms Helen continues to do weekly visits to Nature village to clean up the house and surroundings, which are often littered with feces, and provides food and medication on a regular basis. SPF would like to solicit more support for taking care of Mama Miriam and her family. We believe God will provide. To God Be The Glory Through Jesus Christ! A-M-E-N!

By Wilfred Ngwa

Visit to Mami Miriam by Mr. Peter Nebangwa (ARA Corp) and SPF co-founder Mrs Catherine Ngwa in December 2006

Thank God for Roseline’s rescue. Let us pray that she can truly be able to walk again soon. That God will provide for her education and meals and grant her a bright future.

Thank God for the support SPF has been getting to enable her carry out life transforming service. Pray for the donors, that God blesses them even more

Pray for the epileptics and HIV/AIDS patients. Pray against the daily stigma they face and for provision of their medication. Pray that scientists would soon find a

“Nora is 9 years. I met her in Sunday school. She doesn’t go to school because her parents can’t afford school fees. This little girl often looks sad. She and her little sister have just one dress each, which they wear to church on Sundays. Although they can afford a meal each day, she really would love to go to school. Her parents are poor and barely able to provide a few basic needs for the family. Through SPF donors, she got a little more food for a while and she really felt happy.

I will never forget the look on her face that Sunday morning after I gave her the

Testimony and Acknowledgements

Prayer needs

Prayerfully consider supporting the work of SPF: A dollar, an hour, a prayer. You could bring life to a hopeless situation! “The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the

least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'” - Mt 25: 40

Emmanuel Sisterhood Street, Agyati, Bafut P.O. Box 2060 Mezam Division, North West Province Republic of Cameroon E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (+237)7833830

We’re on the Web! See us at:

www.stsspf.org

money and told her that somebody had sent it for her and her sister, through SPF. This was on the Sunday set aside for helping the less privileged. Usually we would ask the Sunday school kids to bring anything they valued the most and give it to any other Sunday school kid they felt desperately needed such help. We would then pray and ask the children to move towards the one God had put on their minds. On that day I put the SPF contribution in an envelope and the recipient was Nora. Her parents came to thank the Sunday School for the gift and I just told them that the help came

through a SPF donor.

The joy that was brought into this little girl’s life by whoever donated the money was so profound.

Thank you so much and may the Lord bless you.” - Janet Akwanwi

SPF would like to use this opportunity to thank all those who have been supporting her work. There are even more life transforming testimonies from a lot of the people you support, most of whom cannot even write a thank you letter. On their Behalf we say thank you.

A list of some of our donors can be found on the website.

cure for AIDS

Pray for the visionary projects that seem impossible to realize: a community ambulance, a school for orphans, books and computers for the library with internet.

Pray for youth in the communities to be more responsible

Pray for volunteers from Cameroon and abroad who can support the overwhelming activities of tutoring, outreach, counseling, cleaning up, training the community

based groups, praying etc

Pray for the members, volunteers and employees of SPF to continue to serve selflessly. Thank God for their humanitarian service and pray for His blessings over them

Pray for the country Cameroon during this election year, that God will raise leaders who fear Him and who will be able to represent and lead the people in the best way that who bring Him glory.

Thank You, and God bless!

Sts. Stephen and Paul’s Foundation