CJARC officials pose for a group picture
By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo, *Gabrielle Souga & *Anne Bassong
The Club of Rehabilitated Young Blind People of Cameroon (CJARC) has celebrated its 37th anniversary announcing its ambitious plan of launching the first-ever inclusive middle school in Cameroon.
The information was made public on Monday, August 4, in Yaounde by CJARC’s Executive Director, Dr. Coco Bertin, during the anniversary celebrations. The celebrations held under the theme: “Inclusion, Resilience, Commitment; 37 Years of Service to People with Disabilities.”
Dr. Coco Bertin stated: “Our ambition is to launch the very first inclusive middle school in our country,” adding that the long-term goal is to create an inclusive university that supports people with disabilities from primary school through to their professional integration.
During the celebrations, the club highlighted its concrete actions, which have transformed the lives of thousands of people with disabilities. A significant moment of the event was the testimony of Marcelle Asse, a young teacher with visual impairment. After losing her sight in 2018, Asse fell into a deep depression considering suicide as the only option.
“I wanted to commit suicide at one point,” she said, tears welling in her eyes. She explained that it was upon discovering CJARC that she regained hope. She credited CJARC with helping her regain hope. After joining the centre in 2020, she learned Braille and was able to reintegrate socially and professionally. Today, Asse described herself as a fulfilled teacher, a success she attributed to CJARC’s support.
CJARC concluded its 37th anniversary celebration with a petition signing to advocate for improved care and inclusion for people with disabilities in Cameroon’s electoral process. On August 5 and 6, CJARC also hosted a free dental care campaign at its Ekié premises, focusing on oral health, a critical yet often overlooked issue for people with disabilities.
The dental campaign offered check-ups, scaling, oral hygiene education, and preventive advice, delivered by volunteer healthcare professionals in partnership with CJARC. Élodie Gaudier, a key member of the organisation, highlighted the importance of oral health, stating; “It directly affects quality of life, self-esteem, and even the ability to eat, yet it’s rarely prioritised in public policies, especially for people with disabilities.”
Since its founding on August 4, 1988, CJARC has driven innovation to enhance services for people with disabilities. The Louis Braille Bilingual and Inclusive Primary School, launched in 2004 with 16 students, now serves nearly 400, including 102 children with special needs. Additionally, CJARC’s telecommunications centre has expanded its reach to support more individuals. “Innovation is our cornerstone,” Gaudier emphasised.
CJARC was officially legalised on September 20, 1990, under number 001263/20 by the Ministry of Territorial Administration and gained NGO status on February 19, 2013, through a decree from the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation.
In 2018, CJARC partnered with ELECAM to transcribe ballots into Braille for the presidential elections, enhancing accessibility for visually impaired voters. In 2020, with funding from the Cameroonian government through MINPOSTEL, CJARC established the Inclusive Multimedia Centre.
The club also launched the HANDIKRIBI Project to promote the participation of people with disabilities in ecosystem protection and food security initiatives. Additionally, CJARC introduced the inaugural class of IFPICB students. The organisation has gained international recognition for its impactful work.
(*ASMAC Journalism Students on Internship)