Coronavirus

Health emergency alert: immediate closure of the SBA centres because of the coronavirus pandemic!

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Because of the coronavirus pandemic and following the Cameroonian government’s statements of 18 March, we have decided to close the Serge Betsen Academy (SBA) centres until further notice. During this time, our on-side teams will put in place an alternative support scheme for the children and their families.

On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) upgraded the status of the COVID-19 outbreak from epidemic to pandemic. We therefore responded by strengthening further hygiene procedures in our centres and by training our staff and the children. For example, we walked through protective behaviours and reviewed how to wash hands effectively. We encouraged everyone to share this information with their friends and family.

Unfortunately, coronavirus has been spreading in Cameroon and its borders were closed on 18 March. The COVID-19 pandemic is serious and unprecedented threat.

The SBA board therefore convened on the same day and decided to close all centres, to help limit the spread of the virus, and to protect our children, their families and our staff.

The managers of our centres are in close contact with the SBA board members to take all necessary measures as quickly as possible. We will organise disinfection of the centres and an alternative scheme for food assistance. Each child has already received rice and peanuts so as to benefit from an allowance equivalent to meals served at the centres.

Children of Jardin Eden with their bag of rice and peanutsBag of peanuts

Bag of riceChildren waiting for their bag

We invite you to protect yourself and others by following the recommendations of Cameroon’s Health Ministry and to note the emergency numbers below: 

Emergency numbers

Here is also an article describing the symptoms that coronavirus triggers. We invite you to review it to take appropriate action were you to become infected: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_3

You will also find below a reminder of protective behaviours everybody needs to adopt, including with family:

  • Wash hands very regularly;
  • Cough or sneeze into your elbow or in a tissue;
  • Use disposable tissues and bin them at first use;
  • Greet people without shaking hands or hugging.

Finally, here is a reminder of how to wash your hands effectively by the WHO:

Above all, be careful, take care of yourself and those around you and of your country to limit the spread of the virus. Best wishes to all!