A recent trip by the CBC Health Services’ Field Supervisor and a Healinghugs Profile Collector to the Far North Region has registered a remarkable success, not only meeting profile collection targets for children with disabilities but also laying the groundwork for future sustainability. The team that Meskine Baptist Hospital hosted for two weeks focused on four key objectives:

• To collect profiles of children with disabilities aged 0-17;
• Screen and refer children with impairments for treatment and provide assistive devices;
• Train staff based in Meskine on profile collection; and
• Raise awareness about disabilities and strengthening community partnerships.

After having worked across three Divisions (Mayo Sava, Mayo Tsanaga and Logone et Chari), reaching out to seventeen communities, the team screened and collected 465 profiles of children with impairments aged 0-17.  However, a significant outcome is the training delivered to project staff and hospital personnel on profile collection.  This newly trained team will be equipped to continue the crucial task of identifying and profiling children with disabilities in the future, ensuring ongoing support for this vulnerable population.

Beyond Numbers: Training, Collaboration, and Awareness

The training programme went beyond simply filling out forms.  Participants received practical field experience, including sensitization techniques, intake and consent forms, and the three key components of profiling pictures (camera handling).  This comprehensive training ensures they possess the necessary skills to effectively engage with communities and accurately assess children’s needs.

The team also placed a strong emphasis on community engagement.  Over 1,500 people received disability awareness messages, fostering a more inclusive environment and strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders, including government officials, community organizations, and traditional authorities.  In addition, a physiotherapist assistant and mental health nurse accompanied the team, providing immediate support for children identified with specific needs.

Challenges and Recommendations

The team acknowledged some challenges during the trip.  Language barriers presented difficulties in certain communities, highlighting the need for a diverse team with fluency in local languages.  Additionally, scheduling multiple activities on the same day occasionally limited engagement time.  These insights resulted in valuable recommendations for future projects, including language assessments prior to field visits, more flexible scheduling, and adequate water provisions for the team working in the region’s high temperatures (over 40 degrees).

Sustainability and Success Stories

The challenges notwithstanding, the team left the Far North Region on a positive note, with a strong sense of accomplishment and collaboration.  The team (comprising Mr. Kenchi Joseph, CBR Supervisor as lead and Mr. Wifah Jenivarus, profile collector) not only hit a satisfactory profile collection goal but also trained local staff, fostered community partnerships, and identified potential success stories that can be used to further amplify the CBC Health Services’ impact in the Far North Region.

Going by Scriptures, realities on disability works in the Far North Region resonate around Mathew 9:37b – “…the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few,” underscoring the ongoing need for resources and trained personnel to address the significant needs of children with disabilities in the Far North Region of Cameroon.