The Gardens community in Limbe witnessed a historic moment on Friday, February 13, with the official inauguration of a life-changing water project at Our Lady of Lourdes College, Gardens Limbe.
The project was initiated and sponsored by Dr. Kate Atabong Ndi, a USA-based humanitarian, Cameroonian-American philanthropist, and widely known as Lady Kate, who continues to impact lives through multiple platforms. She is President of African Women’s Foundation Inc, CEO of Miss Africa USA Pageant, and Executive Director of Afro Global Consulting LLC. She also works in collaboration with Youth for Human Rights International as a Human Rights Advocate.
The colourful inauguration ceremony was chaired by His Majesty, the Paramount Chief of Limbe, Ikanea John Elufa Manga-Williams, and the Assistant Mayor of Limbe 1 Council, Mr. Henry Motomby .
Also in attendance were Quarter Heads of Gardens, Senior Council members, the Queen Mother Mrs. Anastasia Atabong, Miss MEVCUDA, Miss Universe Woman Cameroon, members of the Gardens School Alumni, community leaders, and representatives of all beneficiary schools.
The project will directly serve four schools with a combined population of over 1,500 students, as well as the entire Gardens community behind Centenary Stadium, Limbe.
With this intervention, students and families now have free and easy access to clean running water—meeting a vital basic need that supports hygiene, sanitation, and public health. The project significantly reduces the long distances children and families previously travelled to fetch water, giving students more time to focus on their studies and improving the overall quality of education.
Speaking during the ceremony, Dr. Kate highlighted that the project involved the rehabilitation of a public tap originally provided by the government but abandoned for over 25 years. For decades, residents were forced to walk several kilometers in search of water.
The rehabilitated water point is now fully functional and equipped with four tap heads to prevent overcrowding and long queues. The water is properly filtered and certified safe for consumption. According to the commemorative plaque mounted at the site, the donors and partners who supported the project were officially acknowledged and honored for their contributions to the success of the initiative.
In a major boost to the sustainability of the project, the Honorable Henry Motomby 1st Deputy Mayor Limbe Council 1 announced that the Council has committed to donating electricity to power the water supply system. This announcement was received with applause and appreciation from community members.
“In her address, Dr. Kate Atabong Ndi emphasized the importance of access to clean water as a foundation for development.
“Water is life. When you give people water, you give them health, dignity, education, and hope. We are grateful to see lives being improved through free access to clean running water,” she said.
She also dedicated this donation in honor of her 2 brothers who are of late Nkem Valentine Atabong and Nkem Conrad Bobo Atabong, & of all her siblings who also are Alumnis of Catholic School Gardens.
We honor the Legacy of Late Pa Kemonde Wagmonde who taught all of us. She said
The project aligns with national and global sustainable development goals by promoting community health, education, and environmental responsibility. Residents expressed gratitude for the timely intervention, describing it as a turning point for the Gardens community.
With this initiative, Dr. Kate Atabong Ndi and her partners have once again demonstrated that committed leadership and humanitarian action can transform communities and secure a better future for generations to come.
The schools which benefited from this includes
Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School and High School, Gardens Limbe
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School Gardens Limbe
Kenonde Institution Gardens Limbe
Steps Primary School Gardens
