Some 600 vulnerable children in and around Yaounde will December 15-16 be vaccinated against meningitis and typhoid. The children to be vaccinated are AIDS orphans, refugees, street children, handicapped and underprivileged children.

Also, children born to inmates in Yaounde, Mbalmayo and Mfou in the Centre Region would be included in the exercise.The activity earmarked for Nkolbisson, Yaounde VII Municipality, will be closely followed by a special programme dubbed "Christmas Tree" by Shemka Foundation to offer end of year gifts to the children.

The activity is one in a series of social, humanitarian, sanitary and educative programmes by the Foundation ahead of Christmas and New Year Day celebrations with vulnerable children in the region.The Foundation's focus this year is to integrate the children in mainstream life and boost their morale.

Shemka Foundation plans to offer gifts such T-Shirts, books, clothes and foodstuff to the children at its Nkolbisson head office. The gifts are secured through partnership with the US Embassy, Public Health Ministry, MTN Foundation, CAMNAFAW, orphanages, child care centres, and so on.

Meanwhile, social centres expected to participate in the event received training in poems, dances, among other creative activities.Created in 2000, Shemka Foundation promotes the health and well being of vulnerable children and elderly people through education and vocational training with the sponsorship of the US Embassy in Cameroon.