The Friendship Circle (TFC) Raises $70,000 For Medical Equipment To Cameroon Hospitals

By Joseph Besong [caption id="attachment_107988" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Under the theme, “Hope, Health, Empowerment, and Charity,”The Friendship Circle (TFC) raised $70,000 for medical equipment to Cameroon hospitals[/caption] Members of The Friendship Circle (TFC) – a diaspora not-for-profit organisation – on August 13, 2023, met for a first-ever annual gala. The gala was hosted at The Montgomery Civic Centre in Silver Spring Maryland, USA and ran under the theme, “Hope, Health, Empowerment, and Charity”.  Also, in attendance at the gala were various stakeholders interested in TFC's humanitarian and philanthropic work. The total attendance figure exceeded the 300 mark. On the agenda was the need to mobilise funds and resources to be used in uplifting the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable Cameroonians living in Cameroon and abroad. A first of its kind, all gala attendees agreed that such galas should be held more frequently hence the resolution to describe the first gala as an ‘annual’ gala. This essentially means more are earmarked to come yearly. Deliberating on the plight of vulnerable citizens in need of help, the gala attendees all agreed that one-off ‘donations’ aren’t the way to go. Rather, resolutions were reached to come up with lasting solutions that focus on imparting key life skills such as professional, health, educational and leadership skills. Also agreed upon was the need to come up with sustainable economic investments. [caption id="attachment_107991" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Council Member for Prince George's County (District 2), Wanika Fisher applauded the ground breaking work of the TFC and urge others to emulate their example.[/caption] The first to be prioritized however was health. A huge population of those who attended testified about the dire healthcare situation in Cameroon. Some experienced the situation personally while others knew about someone’s unfortunate story. As such, it was agreed that all funds raised would be channeled towards the healthcare sector. To ensure that the projected initiatives all bear fruit hence the vulnerable are uplifted, all gala attendees generously donated to the cause. At the end of the gala, it was announced that the accumulated donations reached a whopping $70,000! Also announced at the end of the gala was the information that the funds raised would all be used to provide at least 300 hospital beds. Apart from projecting what future initiatives should look like and how the intended beneficiaries are going to be helped, all gala attendees were briefed on the work that TFC has done in the recent past to help all those in need. In December, it was stated that TFC partnered with Safari Lounge to feed 25 widows and families totaling a population of more than 100. The donated items were worth one million FCFA ($2000) and included rice, beans, garri, maize, oil, plantains, shoes, and clothes among other items. Furthermore, the attendees were briefed that TFC also partnered with the Cameroon Youth Assembly (CYA) in January 2023. The objective was to organise an Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Fair to be held later the same year. The event did materialise and was hosted at the Mountain Hotel Buea, South West region, Cameroon. Outstanding performers during the Fair shared a prize pool of over 2 million FCFA. Adding to its incredible body of humanitarian work was the successful hosting of the 5km run. The TFC-sponsored racing event was held in April 2023 and was organised in honour of Mr Charles ‘Charlo Biz’ Besong who was a TFC pioneer member. Mr Besong passed away in 2018. The event aimed to promote a healthy lifestyle in the midst of diseases. [caption id="attachment_107990" align="alignnone" width="838"] TFC President, Njukang Asong (NJ) was thrilled with the massive attendance and expressed his gratitude to everyone that helped to make the night a resounding success.Photo Joseph Besong, PAV.[/caption] Looking ahead to the future, Mr Brendan Simo, the CEO of Brontech Solutions and a member of TFC commended all those who donated and said that there is a need to continue working together if Cameroon and Africa as a whole is to develop. He lamented the fact that a good number of Africans have gotten success as individuals but cannot work and succeed as a group. The Council Member for Prince George's County (District 2), Wanika Fisher applauded the exemplary nature of TFC and urged others to emulate their examples in the community. TFC President, Njukang Asong (NJ) was thrilled with the massive attendance and enthused guests with multiple facets of community projects and initiatives that TFC has been working on. Expressing profound appreciation to the guests and their generosity, Asong said TFC was buoyed with the support and will continue with even bigger community initiatives and projects. Another activity that spiced the first  Gala and fundraiser was the Fashion display. The elegant men and the beautiful ladies showcased their skills in Fashion. The exercise was colourful and full of energy. The Stanlion Clothing line coordinated the fashion Show. [caption id="attachment_107903" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The TFC has been actively engaged in promoting educational and healthcare initiatives, along with various empowerment programs[/caption] Distinguished individuals who have done incredible work in their field of work were honoured. Among them was Deputy Chief Roy Mokosso who received the Hope Award, Dr Esther Peter who received the Health Award, Mr Brendan Simo who received the Empowerment Award and Mr Rich Akwo who received the Charity Award. The prestigious TFC Leadership and Service Award was extended to Dr Oscar Lambe for his incredible work in helping the vulnerable and less privileged in Cameroonian towns across Manyu and Fako Divisions. Dr Sylvia Dasi was also spotlighted during the Fundraiser for her dedication and commitment to community initiatives. Posthumously honoured was the late Mr Charles Besong who received The Friendship Circle Leadership and Services Award. Receiving the honour on his behalf was his family , grateful to TFC for the continuous support and remembrance of their departed member. Iconic Cameroonian musicians Ben Decca and Lady Ponce, added the entertainment to the satisfaction of attendees.