Ngwa Taniform Sedrick is 10 years old. He remembers the day his family had to flee for their lives in their native village in Mankon, Cameroon’s Northwest region like it was yesterday. The armed conflict in the two English speaking regions of the country reached their doorstep. Their house was burnt down in the chaos of war, and in the panic of escaping, all their belong s including the identification document of Ngwa, were lost to the flames. Without a birth certificate, Ngwa cannot be enrolled into primary school. Through the initiative by the Nso inspired foundation, a non-governmental Organisation, supported by the national civil status Bureau Southwest, to provide free birth certificate to over 40 vulnerable school going children affected by the armed conflict in the North west and South west regions, Ngwa was among the beneficiaries.
“I am very happy, because even my parents could not make this birth certificate for me. Now, I can go to school just like other kids” Ngwa noted.
Patricia is a single mom to Ngwa and his siblings, who does not know where her husband is, since the crisis started 8 years ago, said in an interview that, getting this birth certificated for Ngwa has been a huge relief as she did not know where to start.
According to the president of the Nso Inspired Foundation, David Nso, “a lot of kids are out of school because they do not have the necessary documents to register for their exams and we want to keep these kids in school, we want to help them create a path so that they can become leaders”, the president noted.
The initiative, supported by the National Civil Status Bureau, (BUNEC), Southwest, was aimed at providing birth certificates to children like Ngwa, affected by the conflict in this part of Cameroon. The regional chief of the Southwest region Walters Ndzerem Yuyun, appreciated the initiative noting that it is laudable “The initiative is very welcome, not only does it give the birth certificate to the children but they are also free to go to school.
With his birth certificate in hand, the smile on his face is brighter just like his future. Ngwa can now focus on his studies, and play with friends without the worry of lack of this identification document. An effort to improve the education of children affected by the armed conflict continues with civil society organizations (CSOs) taking the step in helping children like Ngwa go to School.
By Emmanuela Siy
