SEX WORKERS OUT IN THEIR NUMBERS TO BETTER THEMSELVES ECONOMICALLY

The meeting began at 10:00 am and lasted for about an hour, 25 minutes. The sex workers, (97% girls not more that 35 years of age), a young guy who was the translator, the proprietor of the motel Mr. Nzume Epitieme (Head of Prostitutes), six interns from the University of Buea reading Gender studies, one international volunteer and the Executive Director of OGCEYOD, Mr. Elvis Wepngong were present at this meeting. The aim of the meeting is to provide another activity or job for the girls aside their normal prostitution. Since OGCEYOD is preparing a project that will benefit them in this light. And also to identify the challenges they face in the course of their job. The meeting began after everyone introduced themselves and then the proprietor made a small speech on behalf of the girls saying how he always advises the girls that their job doesn´t make them look like outcasts but they are the same like everyone other Cameroon look for means to have a sustainable livelihood. He also said that he feel bad when the girls are being laughed at. He said that he had a total of 90 girls under his supervision. He owns a motel with 15 rooms and a toilet (H2O System) where the girls stay the night with their clients. Mr Njume also talked of the imposed 3000 FCFA on the girls as small financial saving “Akawo” as their personal saving. This money is intended to pay their rents in his motel as well as help them take care of their kids back home with the parents or family for those who have.

After his welcome words, the Executive Director of OGCEYOD made his proposal known to them saying he wants to carry out a project that will benefit the sex workers, saying that the girls will need to undergo a training in whatever business they’d like to do aside prostitution. His strategy is to carry out a pilot phase with about 40 sex workers benefiting from the scheme. With the scheme being successful, he will advocate and lobby with the Cameroonian government to implement a national project with this target group of girls. He said that he doesn´t spend time criticising the government or worked against them but OGCEYOD seeks avenues to partner with them to aspiring change and  reach the common goal of sustainable development. At the end of his presentation he said that the targeted population has to accept this proposal will work for them before the organizations puts any proposal on paper for funding by donors. In addition, he said the social welfare is aware of this project so that they will give OGCEYOD the necessary technical support.  The 50 sex workers present at the meeting supported the idea since they don´t really make much lately from their present job because of the financial crisis. Mr. Njume and the sex workers thanked the OGCEYOD team for the initiative and the strong commitment  to partner with them  deeper.