The aim of "Focus on high school diploma" project was to acquire textbooks so that pupils in the first and last years of secondary school in Midjivin, Cameroon, could take their A-levels.

In Midjivin, a very poor locality in the far north of Cameroon, the Daughters of Charity run a school: "Complexe scolaire Sainte Catherine Labouré".

Over the years, they have been able to open classes from nursery school to high school to cater for children and young people from low-income families.

After taking pupils through to the brevet exams, they have opened new classes for the 1st and Terminale levels and want to help them succeed in the baccalauréat.

Living conditions are very harsh in the region. Unfortunately, the families of these pupils do not always have the means to pay for expensive school books.

Because of its isolated geographical location, the school also has difficulty recruiting and retaining teachers who are willing to come and give lessons and monitor the pupils (many hours of transport).

Thanks to your generosity, the "Focus on high school diploma" project has made it possible to purchase school equipment (mainly books) and to contribute to the teachers' transport costs so that the students can take their Bac in the best possible conditions.

        "As soon as we received the money, and given that it was the end of the year, we took advantage of discounts of up to 15% offered by some bookshops and were able to place orders for the start of the new school year. We then bought some plastic and some students helped us cover the books for the classrooms and the school library." Sr Clarisse

          "Talking to a group of students, a final year pupil exclaimed: "I really don't know what I've done to God to deserve this kind of support: good supervision, books at my disposal, all that, when my parents have nothing. May the Lord continue to help me. I'll do the same for my little brothers."

As the donations were much larger than expected, the sisters are reassured to know that the school will be able to continue financing equipment for at least 2 years.

Part of the surplus funding will also enable them to provide transport and pay the teachers' salaries every term, in order to keep them loyal to the pupils and the school's educational project.

"As for the teachers' travel allowances, given that the college is still in its infancy, we hope that with publicity, good results in official exams and the construction of a boarding school, we will be able to increase the number of students so that the school fees can cover the needs of the structure." Sr Clarisse

"Since the books have been made available to them, pupils are making more and more use of their study time. Teachers no longer have to photocopy or write on the blackboard, which saves time. Thanks to these books, some pupils read the lessons in advance, which helps them to follow and understand better."

           "We hope that in a few years' time, with improved conditions, awareness-raising and the results achieved, parents will be able to start providing children with the minimum number of books they need." Sr Clarisse

The beneficiaries of this project were :

69 students in the first and final years of this school year alone. At least 300 pupils will also benefit over the next 5 years.
26 teachers for this year and future years
The entire educational community.

"We have received endless thanks from students, parents and teachers alike." Sr Clarisse

Many thanks again for your support!

With Them, Thanks to You