By Noela EBOB BISONG
-Ceremony records graduation of first batch sponsored by Ross Foundation/Street Child UK
-Graduates told to exhibit positive character to gain place in society
King Black Welfare Association on Thursday, February 20, 2025, graduated its 15th batch of trainees and the first batch of trainees sponsored by Street Child UK. In a ceremony chaired by the Member of Parliament MP for Fako East Constituency, Hon Etombi Ikome Gladys who doubles as a longtime partner of the Association, the graduates, 135 in number took oath to put in practice all they acquired at the institution so as to impact themselves and society. The training in diverse fields spanned between a six-month to one year period.
In his welcome note, the Founder and Director of King Black Welfare Association, Nugang Clement Devalla traced the history of the Association, saying it has as mission to use innovative computer literacy and diverse skills development programmes as vectors for youth and women’s empowerment, sustainable development and positive social change. “I am humbled and at the same time proud to inform you all that till date, we have trained over 4,000 Cameroonians from all walks of life, and they have gone on to create over 2,500 direct jobs with tens of thousands of indirect jobs being created in the process”, the Director said.
Nugang used the occasion to express thanks to some of the Association’s partners including Hon. Etombi Ikome Gladys, whom he said among her multiple donations was a recent package of five desktop computer systems to the institution, which he maintained increased their capacity to train many more needy youths. The Director also mentioned the international NGO Street Child UK, which through funding from the Ross Foundation, sponsored over 200 adolescent girls in Limbe through the Girls Resilience and Empowerment Project (GREP). The first batch of the 200 girls, (100), with 35 from the King Black institution, were those graduating.
After presenting the GREP project which had as focus teenage mothers, out-of-school girls, IDPs and other underprivileged girls, Nugang said the 200 girls were selected from a total of 5000 to acquire training in fields like Hairdressing, Computer Sciences, Pedicure and Manicure and Tailoring. “From the onset, all the trainees received startup capital in the form of hair dryers, rollers, sewing machines, computers, printers, scanners, pedicure and manicure equipment etc which they have now used to accelerate the learning process and which they’ll use to set up small businesses. 40 out of the 200 girls were also enrolled into formal education…”, the Director explained, and revealed that 70% of the graduating trainees are already working and now able to support themselves and families.
Hon. Etombi delivers keynote address
In her keynote address, Hon. Etombi Ikome Gladys congratulated King Black Welfare Association for its resilience over the years. “You are truly standing out as ambassadors for vocational training in Cameroon”, she said. She urged the graduates to use the acquired skills for positive change in society, by bringing out good initiatives, innovations, productivity and employment to other youths. “Be productive, positive minded, be ambassadors for yourselves and the King Black Welfare Association”, the MP said, pressing on the need for teamwork. “Do not give in to challenges and obstacles, use them to climb to success and make yourselves better…be beacons of hope, sources of encouragement, inspiration, peace, humility, honesty, hard work, determination and integrity”, she advised.
Other speakers at the event included representatives from the delegation of Employment and Vocational Training, delegation of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, and the divisional delegate of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Mpeh Nzo-Nguty, who urged the graduates to use knowledge and skills to go out and shine, emphasising on the need to display a humble and respectful character in the society.
Guest of honour, Hon. Briget Ann Afor
A guest of honour at the ceremony, Hon. Briget Ann Afor (Member of the Swedish Parliament and Vice President of the Swedish Ruling Party in Ronneby) who flew in same morning to attend the event reminded the graduates on the golden rule of life (do unto others as you will have them do to you) and the importance of human capital (having good people and the right people around you). She also spoke on the need for a clear vision, sharing and exchanges, overcoming challenges, sacrifice, helping others and believing in oneself.
Enters Country Director for Street Child UK, Dr Alfonce Tata Nfor
On his part, the Country Director for Street Child UK, Dr Alfonce Tata Nfor, in a word of charge and discourse to the graduates told them that life is a journey, race and exam where one only competes against oneself. He said the employment market in Cameroon like elsewhere in Africa is a jungle where only the swift survive. “Look beyond your credentials and ask yourself if you are good enough…look at your character, attitude, introspect and reflect”, he said. Sharing his experiences as a young struggling teenager, Dr Tata, who now flies the world, cautioned the graduates that the challenges they face should not determine their direction but should urge them to take the right steps to success. He entreated parents to be a moral support behind their children and to be patient with them.
Other highlights
Speaking earlier on behalf of the trainees, Sandrine Mekone Nkwelle said, “It will interest you all to know that some of us have already successfully launched our own businesses while others are already working in places within the city and are able to sustain themselves and some family dependents. This is a testament to the effectiveness of our training and the provision of startup capital in the form of equipment for our various trades which Street Child gave us at the beginning of the training.
The event also witnessed the taking of the graduation oath, handing of certificates and award of prizes, during which the Mayor of Limbe I Council, Mbwaye Eposi Florence was celebrated for supporting the prize award. She was represented at the event by the Secretary General of the Council.
King Black Welfare Association saw the light of day in May 2008 and operates closely under the Ministries of Youth Affairs and Civic Education and Employment and Vocational Training. Having acquired land from the State, the institution is now working towards constructing a training centre for youths.