Against All Odds: Charity Targets 2,000 Orphans As Schools Reopen

As classrooms across Cameroon throw open their doors this Monday, September 7, 2026, for the start of the 2026/2027 academic year, excitement fills the air for hundreds of thousands of nursery, elementary, and secondary school children. Yet, beneath the school reopening anticipation, lies a deep sense of anxiety for many parents struggling to secure essential supplies, pay tuition fees, and buy textbooks.

Far More Acute Situation

In the English-speaking North West and South West Regions, this annual challenge is far more acute. Nearly a decade of socio-political unrest, combined with the devastating lingering economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. And financial hardship nationwide, has left thousands of families shattered. For orphans and children from vulnerable homes, getting a smooth start to the academic year is often an English-speaking region's tallest order.

Divine Charity Foundation Steps In

Stepping up to bridge this critical gap, Mercy Global Leadership and Divine Charity Foundation officially launched "Operation School Resumption" last month. The month-long initiative - running from August 20, 2026, through September 21, 2026 - targets 2,000 orphans and vulnerable children across 10 villages in the Donga-Mantung Division of the North West Region.

The initiative began in Tabenken village. On Sunday September 6, 2026, the team distributed school supplies to hundreds of kids in Binshua village. With the Fon and local authorities lauding the gesture of Divine Charity Foundation. 

Under the leadership of Divine Charity Foundation founder, Evangelist Gladys Yaah and key partner Dr. Mercy Ozakpolor, the drive brings together a dedicated core team. Including Evangelist Evelyn, Apostle Bisherine, Brother Desmond, Sister Tata Carole, Mbulih Julian, and Apostle Samuel.

Every Child Deserves An Opportunity

"The gesture was prompted by the difficult circumstances faced by many orphans and vulnerable children in the Donga-Mantung Division of the North West Region. Particularly when it comes to accessing education. As a foundation, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to go to school, regardless of their family or financial situation.

“So Divine Charity Foundation realized the cost of school fees, uniforms, books, shoes and other basic educational materials was preventing many children from returning to school. This initiative is therefore our way of giving these children hope, restoring their dignity and helping them build a better future through education, " Evangelist Gladys Yaah told Cameroon Tribune Online.

Others Also Included

She added that the scope of their work extends across the territory due to the ongoing situation:

"Due to an increase in the number of orphans, and underprivileged, we also sustain prisoners, widows and street children. We carry out this exercise all over the North West and South West Regions because of the ongoing crisis and living conditions there," Evangelist Yaah explained.

To ensure the beneficiaries are fully equipped, the foundation is providing direct support with school fees, uniforms, notebooks, and essential educational materials like school bags, books, pens, pencils, and rulers. Recognizing that basic nutrition is essential for learning, the foundation serves hot meals - such as corn chaff and jollof rice - before distributions. Which take place on neutral faith grounds - Fon’s palaces.

Expansion To Littoral, IDPs

For the 2026–2027 academic year, the foundation expects to spend approximately millions of FCFA on the Donga-Mantung initiative alone. While expanding support to displaced persons (IDPs) and others in the Littoral Region.

"We have been involved in supporting orphans, vulnerable children, prisoners, widows, widowers and the less privileged round the nation for over 21 years. Created in 2006, we have assisted approximately 30,000 less privileged. Out of which are ~10,000 orphans (~3,000 from Donga-Mantung Division), ~15,000 prisoners, and ~3,000 widows and widowers around the nation. Our objective has always been to ensure that the support reaches everyone who genuinely needs it," Gladys Yaah pointed out.

Aid Package, Spiritual Support

Beyond physical relief - which includes dresses, buckets, toiletries, and stock food for prisoners, as well as rice, soap, oil, and salt for widows - the foundation prioritizes spiritual guidance and mentorship. As Evangelist Yaah explained:

"Beyond the material assistance, we also provide encouragement and mentorship by sharing Gospel literature. Our goal is for these children to grow up in the fear of the Lord and understand that their current circumstances should not determine their future."

Collaborative Goodwill

When asked about how the foundation finances such extensive operations, she highlighted the reliance on collaborative goodwill: "The funds come primarily from my personal contributions,...