Safe Hands Association

Safe Hands Association in partnership with the Margaret Asah Initiative marked the National Youth Week with a Cervical Cancer Awareness Program At Government High School Bonadikombo Mile 4 Limbe. We had the opportunity to talk to the students and share life-saving information on one of the most preventable cancers affecting women. We sensitized the students on the main cause of cervical cancer which is the Human Papilloma Virus (hashtag#HPV), a very common virus that can be transmitted through sexual intercourse. Many people carry HPV without knowing it, which is why awareness, vaccination, and regular screening are so important. We also talked about prevention methods, including: • HPV vaccination, recommended for girls from 9–14 years before exposure to the virus The importance of screening through Pap smears and HPV testing, especially for women from 21 years and above. Early detection can identify abnormal cells before they develop into cancer, making treatment highly effective. We wish to use this opportunity to appreciate the administration of Government High School Bonadikombo Mile 4 for the warm reception, and we celebrate our partners and volunteers who made this outreach impactful. We were able to reach out to over 200 students and 20 teachers who were present. Together, we can end cervical cancer through awareness, vaccination, and screening.

 Today, Safe Hands Association in collaboration with Zion A Happy Home Foundation and the Margaret Asah Initiative, reached out to widows, widowers, and orphans in Tiko with material support, including food items, to help them begin the year 2026 with hope. As we come to the end of 2025, we remain committed to serving the less privileged. Every end-of-year has become a tradition for us, it’s an opportunity to stand with those in need and remind them that they are not alone. The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude through songs and prayers, blessing the organization and everyone who made this gesture possible. We want to use this opportunity to thank our donors, well-wishers, and volunteers who made this visit a success. Thank you is a response from a grateful heart. Number of beneficiaries: 20 Category: Elderly men and women, widows, widowers and teenage mothers.

This Campaign, organized by Safe Hands Association in collaboration with the Margaret Asah Initiative , was an impactful program aimed at educating, informing, and empowering women and men within the community about the importance of early detection and self-breast examination. This year’s campaign brought together participants, including women, men, and teachers. Breast cancer continues to be a global public health challenge, and the World Health Organization (WHO) identifies it as the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, accounting for approximately 2.3 million new cases in 2020. Despite the alarming statistics, breast cancer remains one of the most treatable forms of cancer when detected early, making awareness campaigns like this one essential. One of the most remarkable aspects of this year’s campaign was the inclusive approach, recognizing that breast cancer affects not only women, but also involves men, the campaign promoted shared responsibility and encouraged them to become advocates for early detection within their families and communities. The campaign’s overarching goal was to provide both women and men with reliable, evidence-based information that could help reduce late-stage diagnoses, improve survival rates, and encourage a more proactive approach to personal and family health.  Safe Hands Association, through its continued dedication to community outreach, recognized the urgent need to engage women , men, boys and girls in conversations around breast health—an issue often surrounded by silence, myths, and stigma. 

Empowering Mothers, Protecting Children: Safe Hands Community Health Outreach in Far North Region, Mokolo Community At Safe Hands Association, we believe that every child deserves a healthy start in life. In a recent community health outreach, parents were equipped with vital knowledge on how to keep food safe, prepare meals hygienically, and preserve them properly to protect their children from illness.  Far North Region, Mokolo Community The session also featured a hands-on demonstration on how to prepare and use Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), a life-saving remedy for dehydration. Thirty breastfeeding mothers, alongside other parents, not only gained practical skills but also went home with free packs of ORS.  Through this initiative, we continue to empower families with tools and knowledge that promote healthier and safer communities.

Safe Water, Safe Lives in Communities Of The Far North Region Of Cameroon  In the Far North Cameroon, families still drink from unsafe wells and streams, putting children at risk of deadly diseases like cholera and diarrhea.  Safe Hands Association recently trained 100 residents on local water purification methods and distributed 300 aqua tablets to give families immediate access to safe water.But thousands more are still in need. With your support, we can reach more hard-to-reach communities and ensure that no child suffers simply because of the water they drink.  Together, let’s bring hope and safe water to the Far North. 🌍💙

DONATION OF HYGIENE KITS TO ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN VILLAGES IN THE FAR NORTH REGION Adolescent girls in the Far North Region face challenges  when managing their menstrual health. Poverty, cultural taboos, and lack of access to basic hygiene products often result in school absenteeism, low self-esteem, and increased vulnerability to reproductive health issues.  when we  support adolescent girls with hygiene kits to manage their menstrual cycles safely and with dignity, we raise awareness on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) through education and discussions during distribution. This encourage school retention by reducing absenteeism caused by lack of menstrual products. By donating hygiene kits and raising awareness on sexual and reproductive health, the Association reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of women and girls.  The main goal of this initiative was to promote dignity and self-confidence among adolescent girls and women while ensuring that no girl misses school simply because she lacks access to basic menstrual hygiene products. Keeping girls in school is important for the future of their communities, and ensuring they have sanitary pads, soap, and other hygiene items is a practical yet powerful way to achieve this.  To respond to this challenge, a donation of hygiene kits was organized for adolescent girls in rural villages, with the aim of promoting menstrual hygiene management, dignity, and empowerment.  Content For One Hygiene Kit, (3) packs of Sanitary Pads, A Toothbrush a Toothpaste, (3) Shaving Blade, Soap (1 )Toilet tissue, (2) Panties, Bathing bucket, disposable plastic bags, Zip Lock Bag and Instruction leaflet In addition, the program  improves hygiene practices, reduce the risk of infections, and empower young women with knowledge about their bodies and their reproductive health.  We supported over 50 adolescent girls and women of child bearing ages with hygiene kits to support their  reproductive health Your hygiene kit contains the following essentials to help you stay clean, fresh, and confident every day

DONATION OF FREE EMERGENCY DELIVERY KITS TO LESS PRIVILEGED WOMEN IN THE FAR NORTH REGION (2025) Access to quality maternal healthcare remains a major challenge in the Far North Region of Cameroon, limited health infrastructure continue to put women and children at risk.  Many women in rural and crisis-affected communities face difficulties during childbirth due to a lack of basic medical attention and trained personnel. To address this need, a donation campaign of free emergency delivery kits was organized to support less privileged pregnant women and promote safer deliveries. The main goal of the initiative was to: Provide essential delivery kits to underprivileged pregnant women. Reduce risks of maternal and neonatal complications lastly to encourage the women to make us of the health centers and avoid the use of home delivery.  We donated a total number of 100 delivery kits to women who couldn’t afford and assisted others to pay for their delivery fee. Content for One Emergency Delivery Kit (1) Plastic Sheet (100cm by 100cm) (1) Surgical Gloves (1) Surgical Blade (3) Pair of Clean Gloves (1) Soap (1) Maternity Sanitary Pad (1) Cord Clamp (1) Napkin (1) Diaper, Pieces of Gauze, (1) Suction pump, Olive Oil (2) Syringes (10ml and 2ml)  and Instruction leaflet  We educated the women on how to identify danger signs during pregnancy, the importance of antenatal visits, and on various nutritional diets healthy for both mother and child.   At safe hands association we promote and advocate for  maternal and child health. This is why we continue to strive to provide a safe and secured environment for the populations we serve and their families.

WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK 2025 Breastfeeding is universally recognized as one of the most effective ways to ensure child survival, optimal growth, and healthy development. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF), exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life provides all the nutrients, fluids, and energy a baby needs.  It also protects against common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia, which are major causes of child mortality in low- and middle-income countries. Beyond six months, continued breastfeeding combined with safe and appropriate complementary foods remains essential for healthy growth and development until at least two years of age. Globally, World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), celebrated from 1st to 7th August each year, is coordinated by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) in collaboration with WHO and UNICEF. It serves as a global platform to raise awareness on breastfeeding’s role in improving child and maternal health, reducing malnutrition. this year’s global theme, “Enabling Breastfeeding – Making a Difference for Working Parents”, emphasizes the urgent need for support systems that empower mothers to breastfeed effectively, regardless of employment status. Problem Statement: While the benefits of breastfeeding are widely acknowledged, many mothers in Cameroon—particularly those in rural and crisis-affected areas—face significant barriers to initiating and sustaining optimal breastfeeding practices. These barriers are most severe in the Far North Region, where socio-economic and environmental challenges intersect to create a high-risk environment for infant health. Nutritional Challenges: the Far North is one of Cameroon’s most food-insecure zones due to recurrent droughts, erratic rainfall, and poor agricultural yields. Many mothers themselves are malnourished, affecting breast milk production and quality. Why This Matters? These interventions directly address the root causes of poor breastfeeding practices in Cameroon’s most vulnerable regions. They provide knowledge, skills, and support systems to mothers, helping them overcome socio-cultural and economic barriers to breastfeeding. With sustained funding and technical support, these initiatives can be scaled up to reach more mothers in crisis-affected and hard-to-reach communities ultimately reducing infant mortality, improving nutrition, and building healthier futures. The primary objective of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week activities was to sensitize nursing mothers on the critical importance of exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of a child’s life. Exclusive breastfeeding is proven to provide the ideal nutrition infants need for healthy growth and development while boosting their immunity against life-threatening illnesses. Beyond the first six months, mothers were also encouraged to continue breastfeeding up to two years or beyond, as recommended by global health authorities, while introducing complementary feeding. A second goal was to equip mothers with practical skills by demonstrating a range of breastfeeding techniques and positions. These included the cradle hold, cross-cradle hold, football hold, and side-lying position each selected to offer comfort, prevent nipple pain, and ensure proper latching for effective milk transfer. Such demonstrations were especially beneficial to first-time mothers and those struggling with breastfeeding challenges. Locations Visited: Our activities were conducted in strategically selected locations across three regions of Cameroon, targeting both urban and rural communities to ensure a broad reach. In the Northwest Region, sessions were held in Mankon and Banso, are areas also facing significant maternal health challenges due to ongoing crises. In the Southwest Region, activities took place at the Regina Pacis Hospital  Mutengene and CMA Muea. In the Far North Region, the program reached mothers in Sirak Gorai, Mouhour, Mikili and other locations facing  barriers to breastfeeding promotion. We also prioritized the distribution of illustrated educational leaflets to all participants. These guides were carefully designed with pictorial instructions for ease of understanding, especially for mothers with limited literacy. The goal was to provide a take-home reference that could reinforce learning after the sessions.

Diabetes Screening Campaign at Upper Towe Village Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly diabetes, are on the rise in Cameroon. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies diabetes as one of the leading causes of death in low- and middle-income countries.  Despite its growing prevalence, many Cameroonians—especially those in rural and semi-urban communities remain unaware of their diabetic status due to limited access to healthcare and lack of awareness. This screening was organized to bridge the gap in early diagnosis, offer free testing services, and raise awareness among the inhabitants of Upper Towe about the dangers of undiagnosed and uncontrolled diabetes including pregnant women.  In areas like Upper Towe, there is limited access to health education and diagnostic tools, leading to under diagnosis and poor management of chronic diseases such as diabetes. The team at  Upper Towe, Village Southwest Region of Cameroon. Most people in our community  only seek help when complications starts, and by this  time treatment becomes more costly and complex. Early detection remains a major challenge due to: Poor awareness, Financial constraints and Limited health infrastructure