Successful Stories

Mrs M. Ngameni (CEO of BanaHealth) and H.E. L. Bisangha Ewang (Minister Counsellor) On Sunday, 05 February 2023, the women and men of the Cameroonian community gathered at the Pretoria Municipal Recreation Club from 10: 00 am to say no to cancer. Now in its second year, Wii Care initially was previously offered in Johannesburg; however, Pretoria was added this year. World Cancer Day is an initiative under which the entire world unites together in the fight against cancer. It takes place every year on the 4th of February. Women Ingenuity and Industry through the project Wii Care, however, has chosen to stand up and say NO to cancer on the 5th of February because we believe there is more to World Cancer Day than just a single day on the calendar. This day aims to prevent millions of deaths each year by educating the public about cancer and pressing governments and decision-makers across the world to take action against the disease. World Cancer Day has firmly established itself in calendars around the world; however, we as Cameroonian and African communities still have to make a lot of improvements. Because of this, Wii Care is designed to spur action and inspire change long after the actual day. We are delighted to notice that our program has received more exposure and participation in Pretoria; hence, providing us with more opportunities to have a greater impact. Dr Nguekeng (Gynaecologist) Joining hands in the fight against cancer was the theme of the campaign, which was developed by Mrs Ngameni who invited cancer patients to seek all the help they need as cancer treatment is a serious and daunting journey one can’t work alone. Furthermore, she invited the community to get checked regularly for cancer. On this occasion, the Cameroonian Embassy drew the community’s attention as they believe that every person has the power to make a difference, no matter where we come from. Her Excellency Mrs Loveline Bisangha Ewang, who represented the High Commissioner and was welcomed by Nicole Prasanthya Ndjiki Yebga emphasised the importance of working together as a community. She stated that “by working together, the healthcare professionals can significantly lessen the impact of cancer in our communities”. That’s how we can begin to imagine a better way of doing things and build a continent without late cancer detection. Morgan Freeman’s view resonates with this as he underscored that “if cancer is caught early, it’s treatable, fixable”. Dr Nguekeng, the healthcare professional from LTN Foundation enlightened the community on cervical and prostate cancers. The Cameroonian community in Pretoria turned out in force to say no to cancer The biggest innovation this year was the offering of free mammographic screenings to the ladies of our community. This gift was sponsored by BanaHealth; a leading medical facilitation company that provides services to those seeking medical care in South Africa. The promoter of the event, Dr Danielle Gelas asserted that “the CEO Mrs Ngameni is a woman with a big heart. I am inviting all the leaders of our communities to follow in her footsteps”. The company BanaHealth made available to the project, vital mammograms at no cost to needy women attending the campaign in Pretoria and Johannesburg. This means that women attending the event could obtain a free mammogram. “BanaHealth team is able to help the women in need of financial aid through the Wii Care project and we are inviting them to take advantage of these significant health screening opportunities”, said Mrs Ngameni. To win a free mammogram, the women had to buy a cancer awareness t. shirt of any size and colour and enter the raffle draw. At the end of the event, we hosted a mammo-grammies ceremony and the lucky winners were: Ms. OP.J.T Boumsong Mrs E.A Mrs Ruth Moeng Mrs Marilou Nomi Mrs M.G.G Gueuga Mrs Angele Ndjengue Mrs Cecile Ngo Mbonga Mrs Gladys Afaka Mrs Z. Ngabeu Mrs Karole Koumemb Mama Cecile, one of the beneficiaries of the free mammogram, commenting on the experience said that “It was amazing.” “I’m glad I’ve won a mammogram now because it broadens your perspective and helps you understand the value of early detection. I doubt I would have gotten a mammogram if I hadn’t gone to the event.” The beneficiaries have until the end of April 2023 to go for their free screening mammogram, which comes with a body composition scan and a health consultation at Proscan Radiology in Parktown North. The winners of the free mammograms The winners fo the free mammograms Dr Danielle, the Founder of the NPC Women Ingenuity and Industry expressed that “We are concerned about organising these campaigns inviting our friends, family, colleagues, and communities because we are aware that by working together, we can halt the spread of cancer and lower the number of fatalities. It was such a unique occasion. It is initiatives like these contribute to the improvement of the community and the world as a whole. We enjoy what we do, but we cannot do it by ourselves and we are thankful to people like Mrs Ngameni and her organisation Bana Health for joining in the initiative by donating twenty mammographies to the community. We are calling for more support in the future to boost our campaigns and have a greater impact in our community”. Superheroes fashion show Kids fashion show Kids fashion show For this event to be a success, Women Ingenuity and Industry has partnered with LTN Foundation, the professional nurses Viviane Pessek and Gisele Liale and FACAS. The event also got the support of Liten li Bassa’a Johannesburg, Sante Intello, the Veterans, Colombe and the High Commission of Cameroon in Pretoria. Our special thanks go to Madame Nlang Billong, Second Counsellor at the Embassy for all her support, Tagne Wambo the MC and to Mr Jacques Theddy Gelas. We hosted a lot of activities such as the Zumba dance, nutrition, 360 booths, an ice cream stall and a Superheroes fashion show for kids, food, beverages, and music. The

An 18-year-old college freshman is now the youngest Black mayor in U.S. history after beating out his opponent for the position in a small Arkansas town. Jaylen Smith, a recent graduate of Earle High School, said although he was “confident” he’d win the runoff election Tuesday, he was still shocked when he received news of the victory. He will be the mayor of Earle, a town of just under 2,000 people, according to 2020 census data, near Memphis, Tennessee. “I felt so grateful! I had the craziest facial reaction when I won! It was such a blessing,” Smith told NBC News, adding that his parents are proud of him and have supported his campaign “every step of the way.” Smith received 218 votes while his opponent, Nemi Matthews Sr., won 139, according to The Hill. Smith said he decided to run for mayor at the start of his senior year, with the encouragement of his fellow student government association members. He said he fully understands the historic significance of his win. “It feels awesome. Generations and generations of people will read about this historical moment,” he said. Now, as mayor-elect, Smith said he plans to focus on transportation, public safety and bringing a major grocery store to the city. Increasing residents’ access to food sources is a cause Smith said he’s especially passionate about. Click to view full aricle

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. The campaign was started by activists at the inauguration of the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991. It continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. In support of this civil society initiative, the United Nations Secretary-General launched in 2008 the campaign UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women, which runs parallel to the 16 Days of Activism. Every year, the UNiTE Campaign focuses on a specific theme. This year’s theme is “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls” and invites everyone to play their role in ending violence against women and girls, show support and solidarity to women’s rights activists and to resist the rollback on women’s rights.