It’s been almost ten years since we have been able to undertake a school building project in the rural parts of NW Cameroon.  All government schools were closed due to the political crisis, but CS St Martin in Moh, being a mission school, was allowed to function.  However, the number of children attending has fluctuated since the crisis started, with families fleeing the rural areas because of the violence, so essential income to the school has dropped.  The school buildings, which were poorly constructed more than 30 years ago, have deteriorated beyond repair: roofs have been blown off in high winds and walls have collapsed. Desks became broken so children had to squeeze onto those few that remained usable:  their work got damaged in the rains and they became very discouraged.  The one small toilet at the school was also in a deplorable state which meant that neither the children nor the teachers wanted to use it, preferring to use the nearby forest area. The whole environment had become unhygienic and it was obvious that it was time for real investment.

We have been able to provide funding for the construction of three new purpose-built classrooms, an office/store and a new latrine at this school. There have been many challenges with this project, in particular the enormous increase in transportation costs due to the nature of the roads and the dangers of working within a ‘war zone’ – but the school is now well underway and the whole community is looking forward to the children being able to learn in a properly conducive environment.