THE ASSOCIATION OF BAPTIST CHRISTIANS FOR DEVELOPMENT
(A.B.C.D).
Meditation: ‘for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also”.
(James 2: 26)
THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATOR
P.O. BOX 38 – BELO KOM
BELO SUB DIVISION,
BOYO DIVISION,
NORTH WEST PROVINCE,
REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
Web: www.assofbaptistchurchesfordev.bravehost.com
PRESENTATION
The ASSOCIATION OF BAPTIST CHRISTIANS FOR DEVELOPMENT (ABCD) was founded in 1998 as a Non-Governmental organization (NGO) by Baptist Christians of local churches in Boyo Division. It is duly registered under Cameroon Law No.90/053 of December 19th 1990. It is non-profit making.
What motivated the formation of ABCD? – A felt need had been established by a group of concerned Christians who had disciplined themselves to a ten-year study of remote and enclave areas heavily populated by Baptist Christians under the umbrella of Belo Field Council of churches (BFCC). Their findings revealed that these rural areas were unattended by government and denomination church groups. As a result, these poor rural areas and their poor inhabitants remained undirected and unassisted in the domains of education and health.
Obviously, socio-economic and cultural development is better enhanced in educated and healthy communities.
The Scope of ABCD: ABCD is not a Christian denomination. It cannot, therefore, plant or organize churches.
AREA OF OPERATION
The activities of ABCD cover the entire Cameroon territory.
THE HEAD OFFICE
The Head Office of Central Administration office is located at Belo – Kom. A General Administrator who is responsible to the management Committee of the Association heads it.
Contact: The General Administrator: (237) 74605020
The Secretary general: (237) 77188708
OUR OBJECTIVES
- To improve the quality of life for Baptist Christians marooned in poor rural areas by giving them access to educational facilities.
- Good health enhances socio-economic development and productivity, hence the objective of bringing health services to the people where they live.
- With time, the introduction of sustainable projects will bring about the comfort of self-reliance.
OUR METHODS
- We shall create educational facilities for the children of the poor by opening nursery, primary and post-primary schools.
- In partnership with the village development associations, ABCD shall make all effort to establish community-based health posts as well as encourage and support the growth of existing attempts of the people.
- We shall create centres for the handicapped, orphaned children, street children and the mentally disabled.
- We shall act as partners with local Christian groups to set up and manage Youth Women centres and carry out activities with the backing of Christian morals.
- We shall seek partnership with local non-governmental organizations (N G Os) and foreign N G Os willing to share the aspirations of ABCD.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to all Baptist Groups, individuals (recommended by local Baptist Churches) and organizations committed to improve the quality of human life.
IN EDUCATION SECTOR
A big effort is being made in the Education Sector. So far 16 primary schools are functioning. In the 2007 First School Leaving Certificate Examination two of the schools scored 100% and others scored between 50% and 95%.
ABCD is presently running three Secondary Schools in Boyo Division:- Acha Baptist College Belo, Christ the King College and Akeh Baptist College, both in Fundong Sub Division, Boyo Division. In the 2007 General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level examination, the schools performed well scoring 50-66% passes in the grammar, technical industrial.
SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
Worthy of note in the education sector is the creation of Baptist International School of Theology (BIST). This school admits educated Young people with a calling to train as Pastors to serve in the local churches. For now only Certificate and Diploma courses are offered. Refresher courses are also organized for old and less privileged Pastors in service in the churches.
AFFILIATION AND PARTNERSHIP
ABCD is affiliated to local churches. Belo Rural Development Project (BERUDEP) is a registered member and a very instrumental partner in good working relationship, sharing similar Christian values. For future plans, affiliation terms will be worked out with foreign Christian Non Governmental Organizations (N G Os).
PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE
- Raise the level of BIST to First Degree in Theology.
- Raise First Cycle Secondary Schools to second cycle.
- Create a special Nursery School for the Orphanage, as well as attach a Nursery School to each Primary School.
- Acquire land to create an Agricultural Department.
- Establish Women and Youth Centres for Craft and Home Economics.
- Special Centres for the handicapped.
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ABCD NEEDS:
1. HEALTH DEPARTMENT
- Laboratory Equipment and fittings
- Financial support to complete Buba III building under construction. Presently, the Centre operates in rental quarters. The high rent robs the centre of funds to purchase drugs and pay staff.
- Funds to operate a Central Pharmacy.
2. ORPHANAGE
- The need for a kitchen and packing store is crucial. Funds are needed for the construction.
- Enough and good food to sustain the children’s health.
- The children’s tuition fees for 2007/2008 school year totals 300,000 francs CFA (about 600 us dollars).
- Financial motivation for volunteers workers.
3. EDUCATION
- Computers for the Secondary Schools
- Modern tools and equipment for students doing technical, commercial and technical industrial disciplines.
- Books to build libraries for secondary schools.
4. B.I.S.T (Bapt Int. School of Theology)
- A kitchen and store for students.
- Portable Water
- Computers and a Library
- Volunteer Teachers.
5. ADMINISTRATION
Means of transport: a 4x4 pick-up or a Jeep will undoubtedly enhance the supervision of ABCD institutions separated by long distances and bad seasonal roads over hills and valleys.
Contact: The General Administrator
(237) 74605020
Secretary General
(237) 77188708
From 1998 when ABCD was registered to the present year 2007, we have made significant progress in realizing the set objectives. Admitting that we are still a long way to go in achieving all our goals due to difficulties and shortcomings, yet we are delivering. Certainly, we have something to offer.
IN THE HEALTH SECTOR
We are developing four Health Posts: Anjang, Abuh, Ajung, and Buba III in four different communities separated by long distances, high hills and deep valleys. The terrain is cumbersome but the people must be reached. A population of about 40,000 receives the services.
Abuh Health Post in Fundong Central Sub Division, situated some 30 miles of rocky road from ABCD head office, is indispensable to nearly 10,000 people who come here with health complaints like malaria, diarrhea, cough, fever, sores, etc.
Note must be taken of a Maternity service where pregnant women receive anti-natal care and deliver their babies here to avoid the risk of accidents if they attempt to ride for miles in shaky old cars on the almost impassable roads to a hospital. This health center is also a forum for counseling, health education to the community, particularly as concerns the deadly HIV/AIDS (treatment for AIDS is not within the competence of a health post but education can hold here as directed by the Ministry of Health).
However, all services rendered are limited to the Health workers’ level of training and authorization, while difficult cases are referred to a hospital, distance notwithstanding.
The farthest Health Center is Buba III in Tombel Sub Division, located in the South West Province, about 300 miles from the North West Province, taking care of a large farming population. Ajung Health post is in Fundong Central Sub Division about 25 miles north of Fundong town. The Anjang Health post is the nearest to ABCD head office, barely some 6 miles away.
All the four (4) Health Centers offer very similar services to their respective communities.
The effort of ABCD with the aid of local Baptist Churches is still a long way to go.
ORPHANAGE
The orphanage, name “Harvest Children’s Home” (HCH) after an USA sponsoring Church, is a special institution located in Fundong town, Boyo Division.
This home holds a total of 69 unfortunate orphaned children with ages 3-15years. Fifty-three (53) of these children attend primary school spread in classes 1-6. Six of the kids attend a nursery school; five of them go to secondary school in various classes. One of them passed Ordinary level GCE, a prospective candidate for High School (composition: 42 boys, 27 girls).
(The needs of this institution are listed elsewhere in this Brochure).
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