A little geography of East Cameroon… The village we are supporting is Bambouti, The house Patrick built is called Villa Bambouti but it is not in Bambouti, it is in Bertoua about 100km apart on the main road that runs through the country. Bambouti is where Patrick and Jackson’s Grandfather was the village chief. Patrick lived in Bertoua until age 15, Bertoua is the administrative capital.
Villa Bambouti
Villa Bambouti started as a family home by Monique Olama Gomedja who originally took in 4 children which she found on the rubbish dump, it was built by Patrick Mballa, 2 UK friends and a team of young local people for the purpose of being a foster home.
Future of the Village
Since the passing of Monique and the placing of children with foster families the Villa is now being transformed into a resource centre. The long term plan is that the orphans from village Bambouti will be expected to go and work the land in the holidays and eventually return to the village if they wish to. The farmers are being given the resources to support their families and the orphans. The villagers are very excited about the opportunities that they now have to work as a corporative to enable self sufficiency and sustainability.
Ongoing development
Patrick Mballa (man center back) together with the Mosame Trust has been keen to promote community development since his mother started villa Bambouti.
