Buea, Cameroon

Cameroon is a Third World Country in the West Central region, bordering Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Congo, and Gabon. Cameroon, home to 20 million people is known as “Africa in miniature” for its rich cultural, linguistic, and geological diversity. There are over 250 ethnic groups, each with its own dialect and traditions, both French and English are official languages in Cameroon. According to data available for 2011, 47.7 % of girls and 56.7% of boys attend primary school. The low enrollment rate is attributed to cost, with girls participation further reduced by early marriage, sexual harassments, unwanted pregnancy, domestic responsibilities and certain socio-cultural biases. Domestic workers are generally not permitted by their employers to attend schools. Even worse, there is a dramatic difference in the educational opportunities provided for disabled children and those provided for non-disabled children. Exclusion, poverty, and disability are linked. More than 95% of families with a child with a disability or special needs cannot afford to pay for an affordable educational service for the child. The child ends up doing odd jobs around the house and in the neighborhood. As they get older they are more likely to be exploited and abused because there is no one to advocate and protect their basic rights. Ss. Mary & Elizabeth Nursery and Primary Academy is designed and built for an inclusive learning environment that will provide quality education to disadvantaged and special needs children in a happy, safe and friendly environment where they are able to reach their highest potential of development.