September 10, 2020For many years, our club has supported Rotary Global Grants in Cameroon, working in close contact with the Rotary Club of Kumbo. We have formed a strong bond with past president Ibrahim Yaouba of RC Kumbo, who oversees our Rotary projects there and who visited us in Guelph about 15 months ago.
Ibrahim has updated us regarding the desperate humanitarian tragedy in Cameroon's NorthWest region where our projects are located. Local lives continue to be impacted by the effects of continuous displacement, confrontations between the military and non-state armed groups, as well as the threats posed by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Rural hospitals and clinics in Cameroon are bare, dilapidated and totally rundown. Rotary is stepping up to send shipments of medical supplies but help is needed to cover the cost of shipping.
The Rotary Club of Tulsa Sunrise in Oklahoma works hand-in-hand with an organization called MSNI (Medical Supplies Network, Inc.) that collects donated medical equipment and supplies from a five state area, then ships sea containers to Rotary clubs in developing countries for delivery to their clinics and hospitals. These sea containers typically carry over $100,000 worth of medical equipment and supplies to help provide health care and save lives.
MSNI needs $25,000 to send three containers of medical and dental supplies to West Africa, supporting basic needs at Oku Sub Divisional Hospital, Upkwa Health Centre, Koutaba Clinic and Kumbo Health District Hospital of Cameroon. The Kumbo Rotary Club of Cameroon has already raised $1,000 toward the shipping costs.
A Go Fund Me page has been established by Rotary District 6110 to help raise funds for the shipping costs. Please help spread the word for this fundraising appeal, to help our friends at the Rotary Club of Kumbo offer relief to their community.
