Nsam Disaster: How CERAC Restored Hope

 Since February 1998, the charity association of the First Lady has supported the education and professional integration of the orphans and children.

After the February 14, 1998 Nsam fire disaster that claimed the lives of many Cameroonians, and others orphaned, the First Lady, Chantal Biya, through her association, the Circle of Friends of Cameroon (CERAC), took upon herself not only to be the mother and father of the orphaned victims, but also to ensure their educational and professional integration in the society.

When the disaster occurred, the motherly heart of CERAC’s Founding President, Mrs Biya immediately made the commitment, to love and care for victims of the Nsam fire disaster and at no time did the First Lady and her team relent their efforts to ensure that the victims overcome the consequences of a tragedy that happened due to the derailment and explosion of a train loaded with fuel, leaving over 200 people dead, hundreds others wounded and orphaned.

After the creation of CERAC, its members , took as a major responsibility, to ensure the wellbeing of children victims of the Nsam disaster. Besides ensuring that survivors were physically healed of the wounds sustained during the accident, CERAC through a permanent and multifaceted gestures, have carried out activities that have provided extra comfort to some orphans and children affected by the disaster.

Each year, through medical care, psychological, socio-emotional and financial assistance, some CERAC members (Godmother) monitored these children in providing full support in their education and professional integration.

Depending on their level of education, CERAC each year provided the school needs for each child as well as ensuring the payment of their school PTA fee...