Leocadia Bongben
20 November 2008
The Mobile Telecommunications Network, MTN Cameroon, has signed a convention with the National Association of Rural Women, Kom Feg, to ensure food security in the country.
Through the convention, Kom Feg projects aimed at ameliorating the lives of the community through farming activities would be financed by MTN foundation to the tune of FCFA 10 million for a period of two years renewable. With the funding of these projects, it is expected that food production would increase.
During the signing ceremony recently in Zoetele, South Province, Philippe Vandebrouck, MTN General Manager, explained that the choice of rural women was informed by their role in the family. "Women are the future of man; they care for children and men. They feed the villages and towns and are the cornerstone of development through their multiple activities and indispensable partners in development," Vandebrouck said.
He said Kom Feg was chosen because the association has about 50,000 members nationwide, who, according to him, have demonstrated the ability to organise themselves and have integrity. Against this background, the MTN boss expressed the conviction that rural women could be assisted through Kom Feg.
The projects to be funded, which would be decided upon by MTN and Kom Feg, fall within the framework of MTN Foundation social mission of providing for the needy.In this vein, Vandebrouck enumerated some of the activities carried out in this direction to include care for HIV/AIDS victims, environmental protection, sponsorship of MTN Elite One and Two championships and the building of stadiums etc.
For Madame Sale Evina Collette, Kom Feg President, some of the challenges of rural women are the need for modern farm tools and the provision of portable water. She stated that getting finances for micro projects is a priority, besides the organisation of training for women and exchange visits between Kom Feg and South African rural women.
The MTN village phone women can easily get to sell their produce to buyam sellams without moving from the village, Evina said. She appreciated the gesture of MTN and promised to respect the terms of the convention concerning the funds and the judicious management of materials donated for the benefit of rural women.
On the occasion, MTN donated wheel barrows and trucks to Kom Feg. These were in turn shared out to women who came in from the 10 provinces.The MTN delegation on the occasion was accompanied by one of its 'God Fathers', Cameroon's Roving Ambassador, Albert Roger Milla.
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