Chantal Biya Foundation: “Santa Chantal” Brings Christmas Gifts

Despite the dreadful health crisis, the First Lady of Cameroon, Chantal Biya, braved all odds surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, on December 24, 2021, to spend time off with sick children at the headquarters of her foundation that bears her name, (Chantal Biya Foundation) as well as some underprivileged children in Yaounde. On the eve of Christmas Day, Mrs Chantal Biya left the comfort of the Presidential Palace to the premises of the Foundation downtown Yaounde to personally hand over gifts to sick and destitute children. Unlike usual, the ceremony was brief, but meaningful to the kids and their parents who felt the love, peace and good tidings the season brings through the First Lady.

Hours before the arrival of “Mother Christmas”, from a distance, one could notice that the Chantal Biya Foundation (CBF) was at its best in terms of decor and messages that depicted the celebration of Christmas. With a new coat of pink and white paint on the institution’s building, effigies of the First Lady, Father Christmas, colourful flowers and other decors were seen in almost all the corners of the CBF. There was also a banner with a message in which the children and staff of the hospital expressed gratitude to the First Lady for all she is doing for the sick and underprivileged children in the country.

Mrs Biya's arrival at the ceremonial ground at 1:00 pm, kick-started the ceremony which began with the distribution of Christmas gifts and ended with gifts distribution. Her entrance to her Foundation was spectacular. Children at the entrance waved the flags of UNICEF alongside that of the Foundation. Accompanied by the local artists Ben Martins, the kids sang “Welcome Mama Chantal! Welcome to your home.” 

Joined by the Minister of Public Health, other members of government, members of the Circle of Friends of Cameroon (CERAC) and several dignitaries, the First Lady immediately began offering gifts to the children who had lined up to welcome her. These children are sickle cell patients who come to the Foundation each day to receive medical and material assistance. Later, the First Lady moved towards the cardiac ward where she also handed gifts to children who could be seen in t...