World Polio Day Wum Cameroon

Update from the Cameroon, Africa Prepared for World Polio Day

The following pictures tell the story of how Polio immunization is reaching a remote population in the North Eastern Region of the Cameroon. The office is located in the community of Wum (pronounced womb).

Note the Integrated Development Foundation (IDF) Motor Bike used for transport.

The sketch of the Wum area does not convey the remoteness of this area! 2

They display all posters and keep them forever!

Note that each baby is to be immunized for Polio at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks and 9 months.

In meeting with the District Health Officer, his concerns appeared to be for malaria because he felt that Polio is covered. I would say the problem is that there are people who the immunization program does not reach due to the extreme remoteness of their location or if parents are negligent or if children are orphaned. In Trinidad/Tobago in order for a child to register for school, the child must have an up to date immunization record.

In the Wum area alone, IDF coordinates responsibility for 450 orphans through their Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) program. A network of psycho-social counsellors tries to visit each orphan for initial assessment and up to three times a week to be sure they are attending school and getting along.

Educational Support, Nutritional Support, Vocational Training, Medical Support and Home Visits/Counselling are their aims.

They identify OVC children by going around from door to door/school sensitization and also by identifying the designated care taker (i.e. kind of like a foster parent) for easy follow up.

A revealing statistic Allan is just now reading in an IDF report is that over 7000 orphans and vulnerable children have been identified in the Menchum district (near Wum) but only 490 are under care. The concern is what is happening to the other 6510. Are they being immunized for example?

In support of World Polio Day, the needs are great. Keep the program moving forward doing all that is possible.

When we were planning to come to the Cameroon, I feared for my emotions to be overwhelmed by the HIV/AIDS women whom we are working with. I found this experience to be SO positive. They are 3

getting Anti retroviral drugs. They are upbeat, accepting of their status and moving ahead with their microcredit loans to work their businesses. I have to tell you that it was the visit to the school that brought me to my knees. That will be another episode. 4

Notice on door as you enter the Ministry of Health Office

Doctor who heads the District Health Office for the Wum district with Ossumatou , our host client and Director of IDF (she is also an early 1980s graduate of University of Montreal) with IDF staff member from Wum in background.

God Bless and support Rotary in the World Polio campaign

Lydia & Allan Sorflaten 5

Picture taken on arrival in Douala.

Ebob, Cameroon Canadian Executive Services Organization (CESO), Allan and Lydia Sorflaten, CESO Volunteers and Oussematou, Director of Integrated Development Foundation(IDF