Kenchi Joseph, Jacques Chirac Awa, Lynn Cockburn Celebrating 3 decades of CBR in Cameroon: Lessons learned and Vision for the Future Kenchi Joseph, Jacques Chirac Awa, Lynn Cockburn

Purpose To share information about the Cameroon Baptist Convention CBR program. To provide a deeper understanding of the historical context of CBR in Cameroon Secondary purpose: To assist you in thinking about archives and history of your program.

Current maps http://www.lahistoriaconmapas.com/atlas/africa+map/cameroon-africa-map.htm

Understanding where we have come from…. It is really important to know our history and where we have come from…the ideas as well as the practice and dates. Our CBR program has been shaped by our location – what was a difficult to reach area – still many parts are considered remote and roads are bad, phone reception can be intermittent or non-existent. The ideas about disability that were prevalent when we started were shaped by local traditional beliefs. and then missionaries came to “the end of the earth” (Mbingo) and brought ideas of caring and charity for people who with leprosy, now known as Hansen’s Disease

1930’s - 1960’s Baptist missionaries came to Cameroon in the 1840s, and continued under English, German, North American organizations In the 1950s, this part of Cameroon was under British colonial rule as part of Nigeria 1952: Initiated medical treatment for Hansen’s disease patients. 1954: Started center based vocational training for persons treated for leprosy. Rehabilitation services were introduced at Mbingo Baptist Hospital of the Cameroon Baptist Convention mainly for leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) patients

1970s and 1980s 1972: Physiotherapy services were introduced at the Mbingo hospital. 1982-3: The Community Based Rehabilitation program established for the North West Region of Cameroon to serve rural areas. Called “Agricultural Rehabilitation for the Blind” (ARB) program. 5 clients at the beginning. Rehabilitation was provided at the Mbingo center and in camps in 5 extension units. Called CBR, still had a focus on rehab at the Mbingo Hosptial – Mbingo was quite rural; for people who were blind and visually impaired

1990s 1992: A change in focus to including all persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the program renamed Mbingo Community Based Rehabilitation (MCBR) - 815 clients This shift included a change from center based to community based programing. 1996: Deaf Education (using American Sign Language) introduced. Pre-school support to children with hearing impairments, then referred to special schools. Parents, guardians/relatives, and neighbors began learning how to communicate with their children

A new CBR Worker Banso, 2006 He was really happy to have this new bike!!

2000’s 2000: Expansion of CBR services to more rural areas 7 CBR Workers The CBC Integrated School for the Deaf started with 22, in 2016 provides for over 140 pupils. 2006: the CBR further expanded to ensure more effective coverage of the Region 2009: CBR program was reoriented to be Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation Program (CCBR) – other programs were initiated and together became the Socio-Economic Empowerment for People with Disabilities (SEEPD) Program

Some of the CBR Team in 2007 This pictures was taken in 2007

Current CBR has 2 main offices, Mbingo and Banso Hospitals 1 Coordination office is at the Baptist Nkwen Centre in Bamenda The project’s area of operation covers 7 Divisions of the region. Since inception, the CBR program has reached over 13,000 persons with disabilities More than 100,000 people have received health talks on the prevention of disabilities in several communities.

The CBR program in 2016 Field workers 9 Staff Composition Qty Field workers 9 Community Sign Language Teachers 2 Volunteers 143 Data Clerks Administrative Staff 6

Departments Coordination office 1 Eye Departments 2 SEEPD Departments Coordination office 1 Eye Departments 2 Orthopedics, Physiotherapy, and Prosthetics Departments Mental Health Services Low vision Rehabilitation Service Ear Nose and Throat service School for the Deaf School for the Blind

Shifts in Perspectives From charity and care to an emphasis on human rights, social inclusion, and disability inclusive development The CBR program is now working closely with civil society, governmental, and non-governmental organizations.

Shifts in Perspectives Health: From assuming full responsibility in providing rehabilitation services to engaging families, communities and PWDs in prevention of disabilities and rehabilitation of PWDs To engaging community structures in the prevention of disabilities and rehabilitation of PWDs. Education: From separate schools to focusing on inclusive education and encouraging family and community engagement in education for children To engaging education authorities in the education of learners with impairments

Shifts in Perspectives Empowerment: Human rights perspective From formation of groups with no clear mandate to strengthened support groups; Provision of capacity building activities and full engagement in the entire project cycle management. Livelihood: From providing centre based vocational rehabilitation, where clients were told what to learn to empowering choice and encouraging mainstream structures to inclusive VT and adopt inclusive employment practices. From lobbying for financial support in form of start-up capital for individual PWDs to setting up an inclusive micro finance model giving access to loans for many PWDs –today over 1,764 have benefited. Social Inclusion: From the program taking lead in advocating for social inclusion of PWDs to fully engaging PWDs in advocating for their inclusion.

Summary Progressive shift in paradigm over the years leading to more sustainable results. Less successful in adopting an effective M&E system to conveniently track and document progress and lessons learned. Still hugely dependent on external funding Currently implementing a sustainability strategy.

With Gratitude… We acknowledge the funders of the CBR program over the years – too many people to name North American Baptist Convention Christian Blind Mission (before it was CBM) CBM – CBM Australia Government of Cameroon It is with immense gratitude that we acknowledge the funding received over the years, and the many human and in-kind donations Far too many people and organizations to name These are the primary ones

Thank You This picture is of two children playing at Mbingo – just enjoying some pleasure, as all kids should be able to do sometimes. It has been a pleasure presenting this information to you!