During the 2024–2025 academic year, the”RENÉE BUREL” Training Centre in Koza, CAMEROON, welcomed 89 female learners (single mothers, displaced girls and vulnerable indigenous girls) from the districts of Far North Cameroon – Mayo-Moskota Koza. Although the cost of training is affordable, economic, and social realities mean that not everyone can afford to pay this amount: fortunately, charitable donations help to make up the shortfall.
Each member of the training team has a specific role: Mr. GUIBAI André is the director, Ms NGUIZIYE Jacqueline is in charge of finances, Mr. GANAVA NGUELEO Samuel is in charge of discipline, and I, Sister Monique, am responsible for the whole team. Each of us has our own specific area of expertise: food processing, cosmetics, educational talks, general education, arithmetic, manual work, sewing, embroidery, knitting, physical education and sports, etc. In order to contribute financially to the running of the Centre, we made more than 50 unisex outfits and school bags for the pupils of the private Catholic school in Moutchikar, a town near Koza that is plagued by the sect that is rampant in the Far North of Cameroon.
In order to raise awareness of the Centre, we took part in the parade on 11 February in Koza’s festival square and in the very memorable parade celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March 2025. Together with other women from Koza, the “learners” were trained in the manufacture of soy products: powdered and liquid milk and the making of pancakes.
Our Centre opened two years ago and welcomed 20 girls; at the beginning of October 2024, we had 89, and on 17 May this year, 77 were able to complete their training. Applications for admission are increasing, but despite the generous support of many men and women of good will, as well as that of the Congregation, we are struggling to accept them all…
Thank you all for what we are doing together for this vulnerable social group. May the Holy Spirit continue to inspire our spirit of charity so that we may always share with those who are less fortunate than ourselves.
Sister Monique GABANA and the team of trainers at the Renée Burel Centre. Published on 11 July 2025
