Anglophone Crisis Swells Orphanage Population

Kidnapping, destruction of houses, hospitals, fight and killing, which have become a daily occurrence in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon since late 2017, have undoubtedly rendered many fatherless and or motherless, with orphanages in these two regions already witnessing an increase in population.

Saint Glory Orphanage, Malingo Street-Buea, according to the Founder/Care-giver, Mrs. Toge Rachael, has received six new orphans from Ekona in the South West Region and Nso in the North West Region because of the restive Anglophone crisis. “We were 18 in number the other year but this year we are 24 with 6 coming from Ekona and Nso because of the situation in our country,” she said.  The Saint Glory Orphanage Care-giver stated that she depends on partner organisations to meet the needs of the increasing number of orphans.

At Father’s House Orphanage, Mile 40-Muyuka, the Founder confirmed that the population of the orphanage has been on a steady rise since 2017. She said some of the children were made orphans by the arm-conflict rocking the North West and South West regions. One of the orphans, Exodus Sakwe, disclosed that he was brought to the orphanage from Masaka in Kumba by a good samaritan after the father was shot-dead. He has no idea of the where-about of any family member.

The Founder of CAHECAM orphanage at Ngeme New Layout-Limbe, madam Delphine Labo’o also noted that her orphanage now receives orphans almost on a monthly basis because of the Crisis. With up to30 children at the orphanage center, the largest number since creation in 2014, Madam Labo’o affirmed that managing this number is an uphill task. Though the number of new orphans is increasing on a monthly basis, she noted that the number of good samaritans, who usually brings aids has reduced due to the Crisis. The CAHECAM Founder, pleaded with the government to seek a lasting solution to the ongoing crisis.

By Ndimuh B. Shancho & Simon Kalla