
When I was growing up International women day celebration ( IWD ) celebration was a day every woman looked up to. Women had a match pass carrying plackets of different message , mostly about issues affecting them. So many planning meetings were held before the day proper to make sure the program would be superb .Different educative talks directed towards empowering women about their rights given. Various meeting groups would contribute money, cook a variety of food stuff and on the day proper they would hire somewhere special where they would sit and socialise after the match pass.
Then came the socioeconomic crisis and it became a taboo to talk about women's day. For close to 5years now there has been no celebration of women's day in the North West Region of Cameroon.
Besides women especially those with disabilities and more especially those with hearing impairment have suffered so much from the crisis.. Some of them have lost their homes and source of livelihood and the impact on most of them is a lack of self confidence and low self esteem. Gender based violence in very severe forms is not left out.
When I received the World Pulse spirit award I promised I was going to use part for the orphanage program and part of it to uplift girls/women, no matter how small.
That is why this international women day I choose to spend with some teen mothers with hearing impairment.
We had to carry out the activity on the 7th of March since Mondays is usually a lock down day. There were four deaf girls and a boy who came to represent his wife as she just had a baby. We discussed' on GBV and available services and economic empowerment and it's positive impact. Of cause we talked about World Pulse as a media to get their voice heard and also get empowered. It was so lovely and memorable. At the end of it all some covid19 kits in the form of Soap, sanitisers, face mask and nutritional needs such as rice, beans and milk and other food stuff were shared. Such an emotional and memorable way to celebrate the international women day with these women!!!
Each if them had a story to tell.
Her story is that she is always left out in such distribution because she is hearing impaired. There is no access to information as she can't heat especially with limited sign language interpreters.
Her story is that she has suffered multiple forms of GBV but have limited information on services to access for proper intervention. . Even when she struggles to access them she feels even more hurt as she struggles to communicate. She ends up feeling frustrated from misinterpretation.
Her story is that she has lost her source of livelihood to the war and is internally displaced with almost no source of income.
I want to thank you all on World pulse because thanks to the Spirit award I was able to give some little hope to these teen girls with hearing impairment. I count on your support to he able to train them on a skill that will change the situation for them.
These girls were really happy because they were able to tell their story.
Regina how wonderful. Congratulations!!! You have a good heart.
Thanks beloved sis Mae Anne. You too are a lovely person sis.
Congratulations sis,
They must have felt oh so loved. I wish you all the best
Thanks our ever loving sis Marie. Yes I bet they were.
You too dear sis.
Aww Regina how sweet and generous of you! That your win was their win, and you channeled back what you received because of your service to others to serve even more of the vulnerable in your community! May you never lack dear community matriarch! May your hand be always full and extended to the needy, as God showers you with the generosity that you show others!
Much love :)
Thanks so much my sister in Christ beloved Nini. Your always encouraging words inspire me a lot to be more generous. Thank you for the good wishes. I claim them in Jesus name.
Stay well and safe dear sis.
Sending you so much love from Cameroon.
Regina
Dear Regina,
Happy women's Day!
Thank you so much for being hopes for those needy kids . Those kids are our future hopes you know you are shaping our future to be bright. Thank you so much! I'm really proud of you.
Happy women's Day! again!
Thanks Erena for your kind words. They inspire me
Dear Regina,
A beautiful initiative and thank you for thinking about this special group of women.
You sure have encouraged and empowered them in so many ways already.
Keep doing the good work. It is heartwarming that the social economy situation isn't stopping you.
Thanks beloved sister Arrey. I do appreciate your ever loving words. Thank you all for making it possible through the spirit award.
God bless you always my dear Arrey
Hello Regina, Love,
These girls were really happy because you gave them a voice, love and resources, dear! XX
Beloved Earth Angel, thanks so much for always inspiring me with loving and kind words. So too have you given us all those on World Pulse. Thank you so much .You rock!!!
Hello, Love,
You're welcome, dear.
Thanks for all that you do, too! XX
Regina what a wonderful gift to have given these girls. Life is hard enough and people with disabilities need our love and support and recognition. Thank you for what you have done and will continue to do for others.
Thanks Colleen, true on people with disabilities needing our love and Support. Thank you for your kind words. Hope you are well and safe.