History of CJARC
In 1986, Coco Bertin Mowa and Martin Luther Amahata Adibita, two blind people trained at the Rehabilitation Institute for the Blind in Buéa, created COJARY. Subsequently, on August 4, 1988, the organization changed its name to CJARC (Club des Jeunes Aveugles Réhabilités du Cameroun).
In 1986, CJARC began its activities in Coco Bertin's room at her parents' home. It began weaving chairs. Later, following a request, activities continued on the veranda of the Délégation Départementale des Affaires Sociales in the Essos district.
1990 marks a turning point: CJARC is officially recognized by the Ministry of Administration.
By 1991, many blind people were using the association. This became possible thanks to an “operation recovery” carried out in several neighborhoods to identify isolated people. At the same time, CJARC acquired a plot of land. Between 1989 and 1991, a poultry farm was built with financial support from the Swiss Federation of the Blind. In 1992, the farm began raising broiler chickens.
Martin Luther moves with his family to the Ahala farm. CJARC organizes the “Blind Christmas Special”, a festive meal for around 30 blind people.
Mr. Coco Bertin, General Manager of CJARC, is invited to Nigeria by the NGO Ashoka Innovators for the Public. He is selected as the organization's first Cameroonian partner, in recognition of his commitment to extending its actions to blind people living in rural areas.
In 1994, CJARC built a temporary headquarters on the premises of the Délégation des Affaires Sociales, in the Essos district. That same year, three branches were opened: in Djombé, Douala and Mbouda. A partnership begins with the Croisade des Aveugles de France.
At the same time, CJARC members and other blind people set up the ASAMC (Association Sportive des Aveugles et Malvoyants du Cameroun). Martin Luther became President and Coco Bertin took up the post of General Secretary. The Douala branch obtains temporary premises to serve as headquarters.
In 1998, two events marked the life of CJARC.
-First, Martin Luther and Mr. René Myn Kong take part in sporting activities organized by the International Blind Sport Association (IBSA) in Spain.
-Next, two French volunteers, Jacky Le Moing and Carole Decaudin, join the team. Alongside Swiss board member Robby Bär, they contribute to the design and construction of the CJARC headquarters.
Between 1999 and March 2001, a branch was set up in Ebang. At the same time, CJARC entered into a partnership with the Dutch-based Fakkel 2000 Foundation, headed by René Myn Kong and Mrs Jonker. Thanks to this partnership, a seminar was organized to train trainers in mathematical Braille signs.
The seminar is led by Henri Magadur, as part of our collaboration with the Blind Crusade. Following a General Meeting, the CJARC management team is reorganized. Martin Luther retains his position as General Treasurer, while Mr. Som Ligom Jean Pascal becomes General Secretary.
The General Manager's stay in Europe, accompanied by Félicité Nzoudja, brings many benefits. He underwent computer training, made numerous contacts and actively sought funding for the construction of CJARC's headquarters. As a result, a number of organizations became actively involved in the project.
In July 2001, construction begins on CJARC's headquarters. From October 10 to 21, 2002, CJARC organizes a seminar on the use of the white cane and training in integral Braille. On this occasion, CJARC celebrates for the first time the International White Cane Day, held every October 15.
2003 was a landmark year for CJARC. It received the Certificate of Excellence “Prix du dynamisme” from Good-Will, in recognition of its exceptional dynamism and contribution to the social integration of disabled people.
That same year, in the presence of members of the government and diplomatic corps, Cameroon's First Lady, Chantal Biya, officially inaugurated the CJARC headquarters.
The move marked a turning point in CJARC's activities. Requests for support from Yaoundé and the hinterland increased considerably. This dynamic reinforces the idea of creating an integrated elementary school, adapted to the specific educational needs of blind children.
It was against this backdrop that the Ecole Primaire Intégrée Louis Braille (EPILB) was created in 2004. It began with fewer than fifty pupils. Today, it caters for around 150 children, both sighted and blind.
The first two classes to take the Certificat d'Études Primaires (CEP) for the 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 school years achieved a 100% pass rate.
In 2005, CJARC acquired a 736 m² plot of land in Mbankolo. This site includes two buildings dedicated to broiler rearing. The same year, a branch was set up in Ebolowa. The club also signs a partnership agreement with the Ministry of Youth to implement the Functional Literacy Project for the Blind (PAFA).
Launched in 2005, the PAFA program will provide literacy training for almost 300 blind people by 2008.
In January 2006, a functional and organizational restructuring was implemented. This change transforms General Management into General Coordination.
