In the aftermath of the Family Picnic 2024, a wave of joy and gratitude swept through the Cameroonian Association for the Development of the Family (ACDF). This eleventh edition, far from being a simple event, has stood out as a shining reflection of collective commitment to family values in Cameroon.
18th December 2024
4 minutes of reading
After a decade of dedication, we have reached an exceptional milestone. Over 100 families registered, with 635 participants, including children and parents, coming together to celebrate the very essence of family. Despite daily challenges, you chose to offer your loved ones this cherished moment of camaraderie and sharing. Your overwhelming presence is a testament to the importance you place on strengthening family bonds.
Our joy was further amplified by the presence of many grandparents. Often distant from such events, they brought invaluable intergenerational depth to our gathering. Their wisdom and smiles illuminated the day, reminding everyone of the significance of our roots and shared heritage.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Centre for Social Promotion (CEPS), which, since the first edition, has graciously provided the spaces at the BIWANI Meeting Centre. Its lush garden this December remains a symbol of family vitality and growth. This haven of greenery has once again been the setting for our warm exchanges, and we are deeply grateful.
Special thanks go to the EFEDI Association, which passionately contributed to organizing this edition. The presence of its president, Dr. Esther TALLAH, enriched our event with her expertise and dedication to education and family welfare. We must not forget the TAPGA couple, devoted parents of the TIAMA and AZOBE schools, who led this edition with remarkable expertise. Their personal sacrifice and leadership were the driving forces behind this resounding success. To the committee they chaired, as well as the committees of TIAMA and AZOBE schools, we extend our sincere gratitude for your dedication and enthusiasm.
As the President of the Cameroonian Association for the Development of the Family, I wish to emphasize the vital importance of events like this in the Cameroonian context, especially in Yaoundé. Opportunities for families to gather in such a warm setting, even if only once a year, to celebrate their existence and reinforce their bonds are rare.
I call upon all families: let us unite in solidarity to make these moments of sharing an unbreakable tradition. Your active participation is the foundation that will strengthen our community and provide every member with the opportunity to thrive within their family.
The horizon of 2025 looks promising. The next edition, tentatively scheduled for December 14, 2025, will coincide with the conclusion of the Jubilee Year for families, which His Holiness Pope Francis will inaugurate in a few days. This is a time of grace and blessing for all families. We ardently hope that each family, in all its forms, will joyfully experience this Jubilee Year to receive the graces God has prepared for them. Mark this date in your calendars now! Let us prepare to write together a new chapter of this beautiful human journey, where every family finds its place and contributes to a more united society.
Together, let us continue building this dream where family is at the heart of our concerns, where every smile, embrace, and shared moment becomes the foundation of a stronger and more compassionate Cameroon.
With all my gratitude and unwavering commitment,
Me Clovis Metang NJIKE
President of ACDF
The guided tour for TIAMA Primary School students at the OLEMBE Sports Complex in April 2022 was an unforgettable experience. The children had the opportunity to go behind the scenes of the world-renowned sports infrastructure that hosted the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Cameroon.
The OLEMBE Sports Complex is an architectural gem that has been built with great attention to detail. The students were able to appreciate the quality of the construction and the beauty of the spaces that were frequented by the football teams during the 2021 AFCON.
The guided tour was professionally organized, and the children were supervised by competent guides who were able to answer all their questions. Students also had the opportunity to pose for souvenir pictures in front of the world-class sports facilities.
This guided tour was a unique opportunity for the children of TIAMA Primary School to discover the world of professional sports and to be inspired by the exploits of top football players. We hope that this experience will remain etched in their memory and that it will encourage them to pursue their dreams with passion and determination.
After a period of collaboration in various areas, Tiama and Azobe schools from the EFEDI Family Association in Cameroon are joining the PARENTES International Educational Network, which already comprises 15 schools worldwide.
PARENTES International Educational Network is integrated in Parentes Foundation, a Spanish organisation based in Madrid, created to promote educational, scientific and cultural projects, with the aim of contributing to the education of children and young people. Parentes Foundation is supported by the institutions of the PROEDUCA Group, international leaders in the field of education. Currently, the Foundation collaborates with different educational entities in Europe, America and Africa.
The ties between Parentes Foundation and Tiama and Azobe began to form in 2021 – 2022 with the participation of faculty from these institutions in the Good Pedagogical Practices courses. These courses facilitated improvements in their training in areas such as academic planning, family interactions, student mentoring, assessment methods, and more. As part of the program, some teachers had the opportunity to train in Madrid and visit some of the city’s schools.
In addition to the teacher training courses, Parentes Foundation has coordinated international volunteer stays, where former students from Retamar and La Farga schools contributed to preparing the groundwork for the “OLOA Project,” marking the beginning of the construction of the new campuses for Tiama and Azobe schools. It is estimated that by the start of the next academic year, the first buildings of these schools will be available, initiating the transition to this new location near Yaoundé airport.
The new buildings will not only improve classroom conditions but also expand the number of available spaces with two primary school lines, gradually opening in secondary and high school. The inclusion of Tiama and Azobé in PARENTES International Educational Network will not affect the structure of these schools or imply changes in the teaching staff. However, three members of the Foundation have joined the board of EFEDI to advise the leadership and optimize the functioning of the schools, ensuring that as many students as possible can access quality education for a better future.
The educational proposal of both Tiama and Azobé focuses on offering a comprehensive, quality education that nurtures both academic and human excellence, in line with the principles of the Catholic doctrine. The PARENTES International Educational Network will provide the necessary support to these schools to continue their mission while fully benefiting from the advantages of being part of the educational network. This includes the opportunity to exchange experiences with other educational institutions worldwide, access unique training programs for both students and teaching staff, consulting services, and the assurance of the backing of Parentes Foundation.
