Child-friendly Council Initiative : UNICEF, Partners, Visit Projects In Bikok Council Area

As part of the Cameroon Children's Month, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF donors and partners on June 28, 2024 visited Bikok Council, which is one of the "Child-Friendly Municipalities." Like the other four municipalities in the country. Honored by the participation of representatives of several UNICEF donor countries and financial institutions, the visit gave UNICEF's partners the opportunity to see the transformation going on in Bikok Council area as part of the Child-Friendly Municipality label, with the support of UNICEF and FEICOM.

Bikok Takes Up Challenge!
Inspired by the guidelines and good practices recommended by UNICEF, Bikok Council has for two years now been committed to the challenge of placing the needs of children and young people at the centre of its development. The Mayor of Bikok Council, Mrs. Ottou Crescence, expressed gratitude to UNICEF for the Child-friendly municipality initiative, saying it helps in improving the comfort and the quality of the lives of children. 

Children And Their Communities
“When you mention children, you are also talking about the community because what happens to children has an impact on their communities. And so the investments of UNICEF in Bikok Council area will boost its development. I am also grateful for the presence of donors, especially the British High Commissioner to Cameroon. Much has been accomplished, but much more remains to be done. We say “thank you” to UNICEF and its partners, while asking for more,” Mayor Ottou Crescence said.

UK, One Of The Biggest Donors
“We are grateful to UNICEF for organizing the visit as well as Bikok Council, the Mayor, the people of Bikok and most especially the children for their very warm welcome. It was fascinating to visit the schools. I was particularly impressed by the technical skills of the children we met. As the children’s teacher said, education is the future – in Cameroon and everywhere in the world. That is why the United Kingdom is one of the biggest donors to efforts to develop education – it is fundamental to all our futures. It was a particular pleasure to commission a toilet because sanitary facilities are key for accessibility and for the participation in education by girls and handicapped children. I commend this practical approach to inclusion in education,” the British High Commissioner to Cameroon, His Excellency His Excellency Barry Lowen said. 

Long, Fruitful Collaboration 
“I thank the Mayor of Bikok, Mrs. Ottou Crescence Odette because it has been a long collaboration with her and all the authorities of Bikok. I am grateful to donors, especially the British High Commissioner to Cameroon, His Excellency Barry Lowen, the United Kingdom is indeed one of the biggest donors in terms of ensuring children’s access to education. The concept UNICEF is implementing in Bikok council area is what we call “Child-friendly municipality.” It has different sectors working together towards one goal – which is to ensure that children have access to all their rights, UNICEF Cameroon Country Representative, Nadine Perrault, noted.

Adolescent Girls As Future Leaders 
“That is why we visited a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH facility, saw children’s participation in technology, members of the Adolescent Group Advisory Board, AGAB, made up of adolescent girls as future leaders. These girls will provide us with a feedback mechanism by ensuring that the interventions we implement in Bikok council area are what the children actually want. This is why we took into account the views of children concerning all what we are doing in Bikok council area.

Integrating Environment Component   
“Also, we have integrated into all our projects the green aspect or the protection of the environment. We count on Mayor Ottou, local authorities and all the communities of Bikok council area to continue to nurture what UNICEF has done. UNICEF is also working with other councils and we hope that Bikok will be able to continue what we have started. One of our biggest partners in the endeavor is FEICOM. We are very lucky to have FEICOM on board, putting to use its expertise in construction,” Nadine Perrault added. 

FEICOM Always Stands By UNICEF 
On her part, Murielle Bisseck, representing the Council Support Fund for Mutual Assistance, FEICOM, said her organization is associated with the UNICEF-supported projects because it is an innovative initiative that takes into consideration many aspects. Concerning infrastructure, Mrs. Bisseck said FEICOM has provided funds and technical expertise in designing the rehabilitation projects – like the Bikok Community Radio, the Ecological Park, the School Library and Multimedia Centre in Government Bilingual High School, Bikok. 

Views, Desires Of Girls 
“We took into consideration all norms in rehabilitating the buildings, and the desires and designs proposed by the children. So, we worked with the children as a team and proceeded with the projects after listening to local children. Based on what we are doing in Bikok council area, we will develop standard plans. We have offered similar assistance to Garoua Boulai, Garoua II and Tiko councils to make local governments the places of choice for living. I can bet you, not long from now, Bikok Council will not be the same!” Murielle Bisseck promised.  

Itinerary Of Guided Tour 
The guided tour took the guests from "L'école de mes rêves" to Government Primary and Nursery Schools, Oman II, to the Library and Multimedia Centre in Government Bilingual High School, Bikok, via the Bikok Community Radio, the Boot Camp in Bikok Government Primary School Groups 1 and 2 (with digital activities by the start-up CAYSTI), and the Bikok Eopark. The visitors were able to appreciate the efforts made by the partners to offer children and young people equitable access to quality social services. And to guarantee them protection against violence, exploitation and abuse, inclusive and participative quality education, the creation of a safe, secure and clean environment with access to green spaces, play areas and meeting places....