By Ikome Christie-Noella Eposi
Underprivileged children in Bonakanda, a village in Buea Sub-division and its environs have been made to smile following the donations of didactics given to them by a goodwill ambassador, son of the soil, Simon Ngale Ekambi (Wonya Ngale) and his team.
The event took place last August 17 at the Bonakanda village community hall. The Wonya Ngale Back-to-school scheme for the underprivileged which is in its 3rd edition witnessed the pupils benefit items like exercise books, pens, pencils, school bags, rulers, sharpeners, erasers etc.
While noting that a book and pen can change lives and make the world a better place, the CEO of the project, Simon Ngale Ekambi encourage the children to make good use of the items given them. “We decided to donate to the underprivileged children because we know some of them may not be able to have such basic didactics to enable them have a smooth learning process. Bonakanda is a rural area where we have most of such kids and that is why we came here this time around to put smiles on their faces especially as they prepare for the upcoming academic year”.
To the children, he said “use the materials given you to study well, pass your examinations and become better persons in future so that you can in turn assist the needy”.
The donor added that his team has carried out similar donations in the past to some other rural areas in Buea such as Mwangai, Upper Bokova, Bwitingi, Bwiteva ,Upper Bolifamba , Upper Muea ,Small Soppo, Bokwai etc. “Bonakanda is about the 9th village we are visiting and in subsequent years, we intend to extend this initiative to other areas in the municipality and beyond”, he revealed.
Wonya Ngale remarked that his back-to-school project was realised thanks to the support of some Bakweri people home and abroad who supported financially, morally and materially. He expressed appreciation to them for supporting his vision in ensuring that the underprivileged children could be assisted.
In his intervention, the Chief of Bonakanda, HRM Chief Ndongo Emmanuel appreciated Wonya Ngale and his partners for such a kind gesture. “This is indeed a laudable initiative and very timely as parents are preparing their children for back-to-school. The didactics given to the children well ahead of time will help them a lot. On behalf of the village, we are grateful to the project initiator”.
The traditional head in his remark talked about the Bonakanda community hall which has been in existence since 1980. “Our community has as future prospects the construction of a modern multi-purpose community hall. Plans are underway and that is why I am calling on everyone to lend helping hands so that together we can see the project come to reality”.
Madam Sarah Mbua, a teacher of Government Primary School Bonakanda who was present at the event also appreciated the kind gesture from Wonya Ngale and partners. “We are going through difficult times especially considering the crisis and most parents are not able to assist their children with didactics to go back to school. So this intervention is timely and we hope that other people of goodwill will emulate such example”.
The representatives of the back-to-school team present at the donation exercise included the CEO of the project – Wonya Ngale, Nduma Tonga, Irene Ewelisane, Eposi Hannah and some teachers and villagers of the community.