Chantal Biya Foundation : Enjoyable Christmas Celebration For Children

“It was a blast!” This best describes the 2023 Christmas feast at the Chantal Biya Foundation in Yaounde. The eponymous charitable foundation of Cameroon’s First Lady on December 22, 2023 was in a festive mood as over 1,000 children received a special Christmas gift from the hands of Mrs Chantal Biya, who is UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Social Inclusion and UNAIDS Special Ambassador. The First Lady was joined by some members of government and special guests in handing gifts to hospitalised children of the Foundation, vulnerable and physically challenged children from around Yaounde and its environs. The event, which was grandiose, colourful and heavily-attended, left a smile on the face of each child.
The environmental decoration of the headquarters of the Chantal Biya Foundation (CBF) on December 22, 2023 revealed a great feast not just for children found at the Foundation, but also for the nativity of the Lord’s birth. The main road leading to the Foundation was jammed with on-lookers who had lined up to welcome she, whom many termed “Mother Christmas”. Children from some schools in Yaounde gathered at the entrance of the Foundation. In colourful t-shirts, the pupils chanted songs of gratitude and welcome to the First Lady as they waved the flag of the Foundation. 12:10 p.m., the escort accompanying the First Lady into the event arena signalled her arrival. On hand to receive her was a kid with a bouquet of fresh rose flowers. The First Lady also received a welcome handshake from the Minister of Public Health, Malachie Manaouda and the Secretary General of the Foundation, Habissou Bidoung. Mrs Biya immediately began sharing the good tidings of the season with the children seen at the esplanade of the Foundation. She was joined by dignitaries; particular amongst them; was the French artiste, Dadju and members of the Circle of Friends of Cameroon (CERAC). A song of gratitude from the children and a group picture graced the moment.
In her usually cheerful and comforting manner, the First Lady moved to the Mother and Child Centre of the Foundation where hospitalised children are found. She was received at the entrance by the Director of the Mother and Children Centre, Professor Koki Ndombo. Through his directives, the First Lady made a stop at Neo-natal Ward A and B, where premature new born babies are kept. Later, she moved to the Paediatric sections were sick children are hospitalised.  As the First Lady placed gifts on the bed of each sick child, ...