info@recdev.org
Way-In Nkwen, Bamenda, Cameroon

Transforming Self Talk- How to Stay Resilient.

Words created the World. This is a profound belief of Christianity. I had a friend whose name meant “bad luck”. He was called “bad luck” 17 years into his life. Well, we’re not hear to talk about his life but our lives and how transforming self talk has been found to be a useful tool to change the situations around us. Faith in scriptures mean that we can confess what is not as if it were, for example, that we are healed, saved, protected, despite senses showing the negative. This is a powerful phenomenon firmly and freely rooted in the concept of the power of words. The words we tell our selves.

This short piece is about transforming self talk. The self talk that transforms you and me from one state of mind, heart and thought to another. If you for example arrive a new place, you can chose to tell yourself that you are scared of meeting new people or that you are excited to do so. If you chose that you can be excited, then you agree with yourself that while being cautious, you are happy to meet others. This is a simple example but more complex life threatening situations are when you loss a loved one, are engulfed in a personal crisis, sin, challenge or some form of a hard situation in a family or with friends or colleagues. We all face these times but I am here to say that the world not withstanding, is a great place and you have enough time to support yourself through a personal effort called Transforming Self Talk.

We have prepared a one page Transforming Self talk worksheet to help you gather ahead of a crisis, some important self talks that you can do to cope with a stressful moment or time.

This is thanks to the Community Solutions Program, you can have an adapted version here:

We hope that this helps you in reducing depression, and promoting your mental health and a better life outcome from challenging times and situations. This will also boast your faith and prayers and medication as you regain your self.

Best.

Another Service Call at the Africa NCDs Network

RADA was elated that the CEO, was recently elected as Chair of the African NCDs Network. “This means that together with the 5 member team, from West, Central, Southern, East and francophone Africa, the ANN has a timeline to be established by December 2020” said Ferdinant.

The Africa NCDs Network (ANN)

He added that “It is team work. We have these regional representatives and an Interim Advisory Board all working together to establish the Network”. The Africa NCDs Network is an advancement in the effort to make NCDs are priority everywhere. The Vision of the ANN to “Make NCDs a priority in the African Continent” by advocating for NCD prevention and control in the African towards universal health access, affordability and risk factor mitigation.

Ferdinant also indicated that the African Union, African sub regional economic blocks as well as regional partners and stakeholders are the key partners to make policies that will support Africa to hold up to the global NCD burden come to realization.

It is worth noting that Ferdinant was already serving as the Central African sub regional representative to the Interim Secretariat and is currently the Secretary General of the Cameroon Civil Society NCD Alliance (CACSNA) and the President of the Reconciliation and Development Association, RADA.

NCDs currently are responsible for 41 million deaths each year; representing about 70% of annual global deaths. 85% of the premature deaths occurring in Low and middle income countries partly because of limited access to care, and increasing prevalence of the risk factors of tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, alcohol misuse and pollution. The Major categories of NCDs responsible for this catastrophe include Cardiovascular Conditions, Cancers, Diabetes, Chronic Respiratory Disease and Mental Disorders. The key risk factor driving these are largely due to increasing urbanization, globalization and demographic aging.

More about NCDs on: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases

Follow the ANN at: https://twitter.com/AfricanNCDsNet

Our Views, Our Voices (OVOV) Cameroon:

Welcome to Our Views, Our Voices (OVOV) Cameroon! for Persons Living with NCDs

“Nothing for us without us”

Our Views; Our Voices- Cameroon

Purpose of the Group:

A RADA initiative with overall objective to understand the needs, challenges and priories of PLWNCDs to inform advocacy efforts.

Rationale: Persons living with NCDs are experts of their own situation. Their real experiences, needs, challenges and priories are often overlooked, misunderstood or not taken into consideration on decisions that affect their care, support and lives in general. The presence of technology facilitates our ability to connect support and meaningfully engage and include persons living with various NCDs in policy advocacy. An Online Platform has therefore been created to facilitate this engagement.

Modalities: (What to Expect when you join):

  1. Consultations on your needs, challenges, priorities and concerns
  2. Inclusion and engagement in the Cameroon advocacy agenda for PLWNCDs
  3. Events and opportunities will be posted for PLWNCDs to be meaningfully engaged in advocacy for better care and support
  4. Prioritize active participants in events and opportunities.
  5. Online support via our Advisory Team of Clinical experts on medical concerns (Interception of concerns: not e-consultation).
  6. A calm, locked and well regulated group in which only for admins post except when opened during conversations on specific topics or on specific days of the week for Q&As.
  7. Last but not least; you will be expected to adhere to and maintain confidentiality as part of the group.

Your Invitation

If you are living with an NCD, or know anybody living with an NCD, regardless of their age (above 15 only), and/or profession, we invite you to join the OVOV group here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KkxXfaHJZy5LV2BpMPMPdB

The above information also serves as your welcome information into the OVOV group.
Again, Welcome; and share with other persons living with NCDs or their Care Givers; whom you think we need to hear from.

Let’s Join the Voice of Persons Living with NCDs and let their Views and Voices be strongly asserted.

Communications Team, RADA
Contact Email: Info@localhost

Pre-needs assessment survey on Entrepreneurship Empowerment for Young people with a Vocational Trade.

Many families in town get baby sitas from the villages. The promise is always to either put them in school or help them learn a trade. Several young people also go to vocational trainings and after their graduation, they tend to find their way to odd jobs or practice the skill they learned as an income generating activity. But how many of the latter succeed?

I know of a cousin who learned shoe making. He could really make shoes. His mother even helped him establish a shoe making business. But it could not be sustained. He went forth to become a security guard. He did not have allied skills in business, entrepreneurship despite the fact that he could be one of the first to make “made in Cameroon” shoes, stronger than most imported shoes we get.

RADA seeks to identify and strengthen the skills of young people who have dropped out of school or did not have a chance to continue school, to empower them with additional basic educational and entrepreneurial qualities that will support their trade and advance their lives.

A consultant has been hired to conduct this survey in Bamenda. This is one of the hardest-hit areas in terms of Internally displaced persons, as a result of the ongoing anglophone crisis. If you know persons that fit this category, please contact info@localhost or reach out directly to

Dr Sevidzem Courage.
Research consultant, RADA Entrepreneurship Empowerment Project

Email: couragesevidzem@yahoo.com

Phone: /Whatsapp: 675 551 812

RADA features in One Young World News!

In the midst of new challenges, OYW Ambassadors continue to display leadership and innovation in their communities. Among Ambassadors who have launched new initiatives, the CEO of RADA has featured in two main weekly articles of One Young World.

The first being the Community mutual Aid crisis response initiative, linking those in need of assistance with volunteers who want to assist, and the second being his role in a Youth Webinar

Find the links to the publications below:

Community Mutual Aide Crisis Response: HERE

Session 2: The Future is Now! Youth, NCDs, and the COVID-19 Pandemic organized by the CORE Group NCDs Interest Group- HERE

CORE Group Webinar on Youth Focused NCD Accountability Frameworks – HERE

The team behind the scenes of all the work done in RADA in planning session

RADA in Collaboration with the Cameroon CS NCD Alliance organizes Panel Discussion and Press Briefing

SUMMARY OF MESSAGES:

  • We all are accountable for our actions and responsible for our environment through good policies.
  • Preventing NCDs makes perfect economic sense.
  • NCDs are slow in progression, a silent pandemic. NCDs kill and everyone is at risk.
  • It’s our duty to sensitize the public on the existence and dangers of NCDs and their risk factors
  • NCDs are a leading cause of poverty in many countries and should be prioritized in ours too.
Nessa Mbatu, Ferdinant M. and Claudette N.

The global week for Action on NCDs is aimed at reawakening people on the presence of NCDs. The action week is in its third year and the theme for this year was ACCOUNTABILITY. RADA Cameroon in collaboration with the Cameroon NCD Alliance, organized a panel discussion\media briefing amidst several other activities under the umbrella national theme “Raising Attention, Promoting Accountability on NCDs at local and national levels in Cameroon”.

This panel discussion was to inform and educate the public on NCDs through the media.  This event was attended by a total number of 35 persons, with 13 media houses represented to cover the event. The panel discussion started at 10:30am. This was a late start due to the power failure which hindered the early start of the discussion. The panelist on board for the discussion where, Mr.Ferdinant Mbiydzenyuy the CEO of RADA/SG of the Alliance, Madam Claudette the North West Delegation of Health, Focal Person for NCDs , Madame Relindis, the Chief of Bureau Health for the Health District and  Madame Mbatu Nessah a youth advocate and representative from Value Health Africa. The Panel was moderated by Irene Mofor, a young Advocate for NCDs.  The panelist present for the discussion were of diverse backgrounds so as to be able to answer the certain question form their various field of understanding. Due to the crisis that was prevailing in the region, the person living with NCDs who was invited to the panel was unable to get a taxi to arrive on time. Also, the Person living with Kidney Disease who is a Journalist and was invited to moderate, was unable to come as she was unwell.  

Recommendations by/To RADA and the CACSNA after the session:

  • Youths should take up the responsibility to go out in to the public and sensitize the people on the risks associated with NCDs, the various risk factors and how to manage and control them.
  • Government should implement a policy ban on the sales of tobacco, sweet drinks and alcohol especially in student environments.
  • There should be an improvement in specialty care given to persons living with cancer, stroke, diabetes and NCDs in general.
  • RADA should come up with programs that will help facilitate the fight against NCDs in the country.
  • As individuals, it is our duty to be aware of the existence of NCDs and work to prevent and control it.
Cross Section of Staff of RADA

To conclude, we all know that NCDs are not Human friendly and they are not biased they do not look at how rich you are or how poor you are nor do they look at how tall and short you are. They affect each and every one of us. Statistics shows that we are truly living in a generation that is more likely to die before their parents due to the risk of NCDs.  So, we have to take action right now to fight against the spread of NCDs. Let stand together and fight this common cause in other to save our future generations to come. Health is wealth.

A detailed report with speakers specific comments to Media is here:

IMPORTANT Advisory Note: Travelers in the English Speaking Regions of Cameroon

ALL TRAVELING TO BAMENDA, AND THE NORTHWEST AND SOUTHWEST IN GENERAL ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING:

  1. For your own good, whenever law enforcement agents ( whether in uniform or not) stop a vehicle you boarded, stay calm, avoid hissing and grumbling. Whether you are a man or a woman,
    respect them.
  2. Please take the receipts of your electronic equipment, laptop or other bulk gadgets (original or photocopy), anywhere you go if you must carry them.
  3. If you don’t have means of identification from your school or workplace, get at least a national ID card or driver’s license. It is crucial. your professional Badge may also help u at the military control. But be careful with it at the other type of control. U know u know.
  4. Delete all your bank alerts, and transfer sensitive information into a flash drive or memory card. Keep your financial transactions away from your phone.
  5. Carrying more than one ATM card may bring serious problem for you in our present-day Northwest especially with the other type of control: be warned !!!
  6. If you must move at night no matter how close to your house, take your ID card and let someone go with you.
  7. Dress responsibly – it will save you. Looking rugged and wild may earn you serious trouble. Take care of your hairstyle.
  8. If you are given a vehicle to go for an errand, make sure all documents are complete and up- to- date. Also, your driver’s licence must be complete before you hit the road.
  9. When your car is being searched, don’t just look away in anger ; they are doing their job. Just
    pay close attention to what’s going on, to avoid “had I known”.
  10. If you are not sure of what someone is carrying in a bag, pack, or sack, please ask politely before accepting to give the person a ride. You may be arrested for what you know nothing about.
  11. After any stranger you decide to give a lift comes down, move forward a little, park and search your vehicle very well before you continue so as to avoid harboring any incriminating objects left behind.
  12. It is mandatory necessary you don’t keep this message to yourself alone.

13) Be patient when traveling. Being in a haste may land you into serious problems. Where you find vehicles parked and are waiting, seek advise. You may not know the trap ahead

14) You will fine multiple controls from Matazem, Santa, welcome to Bamenda, Blue moon, mile one junction, Tradex etc before you enter town. Do not complain. They are working on instructions. You will be asked to drop down and identify yourself. Your car will be searched at these spots. They will take all your time. But do not complain.

15) Be aware that there is operation Bamenda Clean involving all men in uniform and the population. Don’t be frightened in the quarter when u see a group of millitary.

16) Above all avoid certain talks because even those people you think you know them, you don’t really know them in details. Be vigilant and Stay safe.

This note was copied and modified from a circulated message. It is endorsed as an Advisory to those traveling in the NW/SW regions of Cameroon.

Thank you.

Singed:

Ferdinant M. SOnyuy
President, RADA.

Statement by the Reconciliation and Development Association during the Week for Action on NCDs, from September 7-13, 2020 on Accountability

Brief Background:

Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) are silent killers. Non transmissible from person to person unlike COVID-19, and are driven largely by four main modifiable risk factors – tobacco use (cigarette smoking), unhealthy diet (excessive fasts and sugar), physical inactivity (overweight or fat deposits), and harmful use of alcohol.

Some of these diseases include; cardiovascular diseases which accounts’ for most NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.0 million), respiratory diseases (3.9 million), and diabetes (1.6 million). In 2018, the United Nations High Level Meeting on non-communicable disease added Mental Health and Pollution resulting in a 5 by 5 framework approach to preventing NCDs. Each year, NCDs account for 41 million deaths globally, with 85% coming from the low- and middle-income countries.  35% of annual deaths in Cameroon are due to NCDs.

Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, persons living with NCDs have been provide to have highest risks of severe outcomes. About 80% of COVID-19 deaths are recorded with persons living with NCDs. We’ve seen through COVID-19, the devastating effects of inattention to certain groups of our population providing universal health coverage. We also need to build our health system to be ready to respond to crisis comprehensively. NCDs are a major cause (and consequence) of poverty and a barrier to economic and social development.

 “Investing in population health to solve the problem of NCDs makes economic sense” – Prof. Jean Claude Mbanya, Chair, Cameroon NCD Alliance

The ActOnNCDs Campaign:

We have made plans, promises, and political signatures on global goals as well as commitments to fight against NCDs.  It’s time to keep these promises by Acting on issues related to NCDs.  The Global Week for Action on NCDs is in its third year. Each year, it is conducted to raise a voice for NCDs. For 2020, under the theme «ACCOUNTABILITY” the Week of Action aims at reawakening people on the dangers of NCDs as well as unite the NCD movement to recognize that accountability is not just in finances, but also in what we promise to do. Accountability is a crucial force for political and programmatic changes that will reduce the NCD burden of NCDs not just in Cameroon, but globally, improving the health of the population.

As RADA, we are affirm that community development is incumbent on a healthy society, hence, call on health, trade, finance, agriculture and other sectors of both government and the society to give heed to the benefits of investing on a healthy workforce and population by Acting on NCDs where their responsibility lies.  

Actions such as those below are essential:

  1. We need to ban sales of alcohol to youth and children below 18 years of age.
  2. Tax unhealthy products such as (high sugar and fatty content foods)
  3. Educate on moderation and appropriate feeding by the population.
  4. Continue to promote physical activity
  5. Ban the illegal sales of tobacco and drugs such as tramadol.
  6. Promote an end to conflicts that inflict mental health stress, pain and suffering

OUR ROLE AS RADA

As a member of the Cameroon Civil Society Non Communicable Disease Alliance, we are running a National Youth NCD Action Network to raise awareness among youths, and support them towards walking the talk on NCDs. We add our voice to the efforts being made by the government as well as the entire NCD community in Cameroon to increase access to care for persons living with NCDs and re-iterate that more specific interventions needs to be implemented.  

Together with the Alliance, RADA is ready to support, partner and collaborate with stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of national commitments on NCDs and Universal Health Coverage towards the fulfilment meaningful community development.

Thank you.

Ferdinant M. Sonyuy
President/CEO, RADA.

About RADA :

RADA is a community development organization based in Bamenda. Our mission is to promote community development by building bridges to sustainable solutions in the domains of health, education, agriculture, technology and peace. More about RADA on www.recdev.org

Tweet Chat with Food and Genes Initiative

“Acting on NCDs must start from understanding the root causes that lead to NCDs” Samuel Ogunsola; CEO of Food and Genes Initiative, Nigeria.

To mark the NCDs week this year, we are delighted that in collaboration with the Food and Genes initiative, the CEO of RADA will be facilitating a tweet chats on the risk factors responsible for NCDs.

The link is www.twitter.com/foodandgenes

Also follow RADA on twitter at: @Recdefcameroon.

Global Week of Action on NCDs- 2020: Raising Attention, Promoting Accountability on NCDs at Local and National levels in Cameroon

Theme-2020: Accountability

What is the Global Week of Action for NCDs?

NCDs are currently the #1 cause of death and disability in the world, and the burden is disproportionately severe in low- and middle-income countries, where four out of five people with an NCD live. The Global Week for Action on NCDs is organized by the NCD Alliance global and aims to unite the NCD movement each year under a specific theme, concentrating our combined efforts with the aim of reducing the NCD burden globally and increasing health and equality. Join the movement!

Under the banner of “Raising Attention, Promoting Accountability on NCDs at Local and National levels in Cameroon” The Cameroon CS NCD Alliance will be mounting the national stage with activities to raise awareness on NCDs and the need for accountability regarding desired prevention and control SDG targets. The theme for this year’s Week of Action on NCDs is “Accountability”. Activities will put persons living with NCDs at the center of essence for the Week’s action.  

  1. Social Media Activities by all members
  2. Inclusive games at the Baptist Center by CBCHS
  3. Advocacy visits to Mayor, and MoH by CBCHS
  4. Radio Talk shows by CBCHS, RADA, and C3T
  5. Panel Discussion by RADA
  6. Tweet Chats  by RADA
  7. Interactive online Q&A on NCDs by RADA
  8. Zoom Conference – in Collaboration with CORE Group by RADA
  9. Patient meeting – by CBCHS
  10. Press briefing /Conference  by RADA and C3t
  11. Health Talks in Churches  by CBCHS
  12. Publication of statements by all members
  13. NCD Tracts sharing at a Major market by C3t
  14. Zoom Webinar by Rural Doctors

                          See the full time table of Activities below and dates to participate.

SN Activity Dates Organization(s) i/c
1 Disseminate messages on social media
(Contribute to ‘Voices of Change’; Share ‘Voices of Change’ quotes,
champion quote cards, info graphics, video messages or key messages through
social media using the harsh tag, #ActOnNCDs.)		 September 7-13). All Member
organizations
2 Organise inclusive fun games at the Baptist Centre in Bamenda Saturday, September 12  CBCHS
3 Local Council Advocacy visit September
9		 CBCHS
4 Visit to the radio for a Radio program (Radio Talk with Young NCD Advocates) September 8/September CBCHS/RADA
5 Organise
a meeting with Cancer Survivors in view of charting a path for the creation
of Patient Advocacy Group for Persons living with cancer and Survivors of
cancer
 		   CBCHS
6 Publish campaign activities on member
newsletters including the “NCD Voice Newsletter” and “Radates” are in view. 		 September 13- 14th CBCHS/RADA
7 Health Talks in
Churches 		 September 13 CBCHS
8 Statements from member organizations
will be issued on media  (All
Associations) 		 Full Week All Members
9 The
Alliance will also issue a Statement on media  on the global Campaign		 September
9th – 13th		 CACSNA
Secretariat
10 Sensitization
campaign through traditional media including Magic FM, Radio Tiemeni
Siantou(RTS), The Post and Le Messager 		 September 7-13th C3T,
11 Field visit with
Media, CACSNA Team members in Yde, PLWNCD to sensitize population on the
various NCDs followed by the distribution of hydro-alcoholic gels and Flyers
on NCDs at Mvan neighbourhood at the level of travel agencies.		  September 8th 2020 at 14 Pm C3t
12

Two 2- Advocacy visit
to the authorities:
Le Sous
Directeur de la lutte contre les MNTsLe
Directeur de la Promotion de la Santé ou Sous Directeur de la Santé MentaleDélégué
régional de la Santé Publique pour le Centre

(We encourage members in Yde to partake
N.B use your masks along).

 September 10-11, 2020 C3t
13 Panel
discussion/ Press Conference, to discuss the problem of NCDs, the Alliance’s
work on NCDs in collaboration with other partners that will be present in Bamenda
and possibly, Yaoundé. (RADA,).
Topic:
“Accountability on NCDs”		 Friday 11th RADA
14 Zoom
Webinar with CORE Group partners: “Youth Leaders Taking Action:
Developing an NCDs-Focused Accountability Framework.” 		Sept. 9,
2020		 RADA
15 Tweet
Chart with Nigerian Partners		 September
7, 2020		 RADA
16 Online
Interactive Session on “Accountability on NCDs” with RADA CEO.		 Sept. 13,
2020		 RADA
17 Zoom conference for health care
providers in rural areas to discuss their experiences and current actions
taken by stakeholders in supporting persons living with NCDs in the context
of COVID-19		 TBD Rural
Doctors

About the Theme of 2020

Governments have committed to many NCD targets through the United Nations (UN), such as World Health Organization (WHO) NCD targets and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Accountability mechanisms for NCDs that are currenetly in place can be strengthened by independent civil society-led action, especially at the local and national level. We can all help ensure that commitments made translate into targets met, to turn back the tide on the current NCD epidemic. We’ve seen through COVID-19 the devastating effects of neglect – it’s time to stop making the same mistake with NCDs!- from trade to livelihoods and ultimately, development.
(Adapted from NCDA website).