Our abilities are measured by the things that we can do together. Our capability is tested by how
far we can go and how we can expand our sphere of influence.
In a country where sexuality is punished by the law in a country where lack of understanding dominates and proceeds over human imagination. In the ashes of fear rises a group of young and talented individuals seeking for change seeking for an inclusive society, seeking to fight for gender diversity, seeking to fight for gender inclusion, seeking to fight for gender parity, and so it's our ability to continue doing so.
5 years of fighting, 5 years of continuous work, 5 years of putting our energy and resources, and manpower together to fight the ills wrecking our society. Yes it is on this very foundation that Working For Our Wellbeing Cameroon was founded. Indeed we can never give up because of the tears, the sorrows, the fear and the pain felt by many who just want to live their lives the way they want and be with who they want and feel free.
Working for our wellbeing Cameroon was founded in 2016 with a principal objective to uphold equality rights and access to health care for sexual and gender minorities in Cameroon. It is with this Vision that the organisation has been able to function for the past 5 years. When this journey began it didn't look like it will be a reality of achieving what we have had so far as it was visible the persecutions we faced, the betrayals and at another level the pressure coming from the government.
It is good to know that Working for our Wellbeing Cameroon was created to meet the needs of sexual and gender minorities in other words the needs of the LGBTIQ+ community in Cameroon.
We have had challenges in realising what we have so far but in no one time have we regretted what we have so far achieved till this day. 18th December 2021 the organization turned 5 years, 5 years of victory, 5 years of hard work, 5 years of conquering, 5 years of leadership, 5 years of protecting the rights of sexual and gender minorities at the local, national and International level.
The events began with the arrival of the different invitees, a red carpet session and a good number of invitees were spotted taking colorful pictures with the intention of gathering beautiful memories. When they were all done, our guests were beautifully ushered into the hall.
The hall indeed looked beautiful and full of amazing color. The tables were majestically and beautifully decorated and numbered with the various articles derived from the UN declaration of human Rights.
After everyone was seated the occasion began solemnly and without wasting so much time the event went on with a short presentation of what we have been able to do and achieve for the 5 past years. Immediately after the presentation, it was followed with a welcome address from the Executive Director of the organisation Mr NKWAIN Hamlet who gave a heart sweeping speech. His speech focused on the plight of sexual and gender minorities in Cameroon.
He spoke of the accomplishments and the various challenges faced by the organisation and he also went further in thanking the various partners who have been able to collaborate with the organisation in realising what the had so far as objectives.
His speech did not just focus on what has been done by the organisation but he also expansiated on the necessity of including sexual and gender minorities in decision making process he spoke directly to the various diplomatic representatives and administrative Representatives he focused on climate change, COVID-19 and the need to allow the LGBTIQ+ community to be involved in providing ideas to problems that are of general interest.
After the speech he went on immediately to the presentation of organisation staff because it is through their joint tireless efforts that the organisation is where it is today and on this notes he ended his solemn speech termed by many as "the speech of the year" regarded as many to be the deep truths.
Glowing pictures of the 5th anniversary of WFW.
The ceremony did not just focus on speeches and words but it was accompanied by action and visible action.
It went on with the handing over of awards of excellence to the best staff, partners who have been closely collaborating with the organisation for the past year's.
The ceremony was further Grace with the cutting of the cake which was well tagged 5 years clearly representing the 5th anniversary of the organisation, followed by refreshments and a little soft music and dance.
Finally the events came to an end with a word of gratitude that was given by the organisation program director thanking everyone that came. With this ceremony, the organisation was able to learn a few things which was that of knowing that humanity is willing but we have to do our work as human rights defenders working tirelessly and the responsibility to sharpen our advocacy skills as we just need to talk and that's all.
At times the greatest weapon is to make someone see your own point of view without necessarily fighting over something that is worth not fighting for.
In the words of our Executive Director of the organisation he said "None of us is free until we are all free" We will continue and we will not stop until society becomes better and welcoming.
This is how amazingly the ceremony came to an end and we continue to keep our determination of being better to serving our community as person's belonging to the global village.
@wfwCameroon