Capacity building with members of the focal point ecclesiastical of Garoua

In its mission to promote social and economic justice through advocacy, Faith and Justice must be able to count on the mobilisation of consecrated persons throughout the country. Grouped in observation centres by ecclesiastical province, these people, known as observers, play a crucial role in observing and documenting the social facts at the root of injustice.

they also contribute in leading the reflection in order to find a sustainable response to the injustices observed. However, in order for them to fully play this role, remobilisation and capacity building has been necessary.

Remobilising the observation centres: a necessity

The observation centres play a role in the intervention strategy of Faith and Justice. However, the COVID 19 pandemic and the socio-political crises have greatly disrupted the functioning of the observation poles. Similarly, the various postings to the religious communities have also had their effect in demobilising the observers. In order to continue the action, the coordination team launched an operation to restructure and revitalise its observation poles.

Structuring the focal points: new teams of facilitators for a new dynamic

The new approach to the existence and functioning of the observation poles recommends that the observation poles be structured, trained and stabilised for effective and sustainable action. Thus, in each cluster, certain observers have been designated to accompany the cluster leader in his or her mission. So in the ecclesiastical province of Bertoua, the animation of the pole of Bertoua was entrusted to Sr Hanne Marie BEYEK A YASSI (Ursuline of Jesus). She will be assisted by Mrs. DJEUHA Marie Virginie (Lay associate), at the level of financial management by Sr. Tania Regina ALOES DE LIMA (Dominican of Blessed Imelda); and at the level of logistics by EYANGA ZI ELISE Elodie and Nestor NOAH (Lay associates).

The pole of Garoua, in view of the large area it covers and certain specificities, has been subdivided into two focal points: one for the zone covering the North and Adamaoua regions and another for the zone covering the Far North region. The North focal point will be animated by Sr Esther MATCHOING (Sister of the Sacred Heart of Jesus). She will be assisted by Sr Brendaline SEVID SEM (Holy Union), with Mrs NGO BALEBA Marie-Pauline at the Secretariat and Mrs TAGNE Chantal and Mr NGUEKWALBE Olivier (lay associates) at the logistics. Monique GABANA (Daughter of the Holy Spirit) with Mr. LIDIWANG Felix (Lay associate) as secretary and Brother GOSSAMBAYE Christian (Oblate of Mary) in charge of logistics.

Capacity building with members of the focal point ecclesiastical of Bertoua

Strengthening the capacity of observation units: a work in progress

To enable the poles to carry out their mission, training activities have been set up to equip the observation poles. In general, they were given basic notions of the pastoral circle method, taught how to document a situation of injustice, and finally how to form and work in a network.

A perspective that continues

The remobilisation of the observation poles is continuing, and that of the ecclesiastical provinces of Yaoundé and Douala is underway. It is hoped to have them all operational for the holding of the "FORUM OF CORRESPONDENTS" scheduled for next October. The work for justice, peace and integrity of creation is important in Cameroon and Faith and Justice really needs all the religious men and women who are concerned to accompany it./.