A fund for deaf and hard-of-hearing girls in Cameroon, created by CBC Health Services in honour of a woman who spent her life listening to those the world too often talked over.
Wil Schrijvershof qualified in 1968 and became a speech therapist — first as an audiologist working with people with hearing impairment, later in schools with deaf children, and in her final working years, in a hospital treating people of every age and background.
"She was my best friend. We all miss her very much, but this Scholarship Fund with her name remembers her."— A friend of Wil Schrijvershof
Wil was endlessly curious about people and the cultures they came from, and she travelled widely throughout her life. Wherever she went, she gravitated toward people living with impairment — always ready to help, always ready to listen.
In 2008, she travelled to Cameroon with a group of volunteers from the Dordrecht–Bamenda Foundation, visiting Bamenda and the town of Mbingo. There, she watched teachers work with deaf children and was deeply moved by what she saw. From that visit onward, she donated to Mbingo's programs every single year.
Wil passed away in June 2019. Alongside her yearly gifts, she left funding for a new project at Mbingo — scholarships for deaf students. That gift is the seed of the fund that now carries her name.
Cameroon has made real progress educating children with disabilities — but deaf and hard-of-hearing children remain furthest from the classroom door.
What started as a small pre-school unit has grown into a school and sign-language training centre — and a bridge into mainstream secondary education.
The first classroom for children with hearing impairments in the Northwest Region begins as a small pre-school program.
Registered as a full primary school, ISFD is created to serve deaf children who mainstream schools could not reach.
A linkage with Baptist Comprehensive High School, Njinikejim Belo, opens inclusive secondary education to graduates for the first time.
Further links with Government Bilingual High Schools in Bamenda and Kumbo widen where a deaf graduate can continue learning.
The school becomes the CBC Inclusive School and Sign Language Centre, widening its scope to train resource teachers and the wider community in sign language.
The fund exists for one purpose: helping deaf and hard-of-hearing girls get into school, and stay there.
A CBCHS Scholarship Committee reviews every application and shortlists candidates for approval by the CBC Director of Health Services.
Girls from all regions of Cameroon may apply, with preference given to those from families facing financial hardship.
Funding supports enrolment only at recognised schools with a proven track record teaching deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
Every applicant must meet all five conditions below.
Applications open every May. Here's the full path from form to award.
Download it from the Scholarship Application page at cbchealthservices.org, or collect a hard copy from the Directorate of Health Services, CBC Baptist Centre, Nkwen.
Complete the checklist below and attach every required document to your application.
Applications must be received no later than 12:00 p.m. on July 30 each year.
Winners are notified by August 15 and named on the CBCHS website and regional education notice boards.
Whether you're applying on behalf of a daughter, or simply want to know more about the fund, CBC Health Services is here to help.
Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services — PO Box 1, Bamenda, North West Region, Cameroon
