Cora Head Quarters

CORA with its base in rural Jakiri works with marginalized and vulnerable people in Jakiri, and other rural communities in Cameroon. Jakiri is one of the poorest and most densely populated areas in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. The population of Jakiri is mainly rural, and estimated at 120,000, distributed into 35 villages within a total surface area of 765km2. Villagers also settle together on the basis of family lineages.

Majority of these villages are divided by streams and rivers which are often flooded during the raining season. In fact, flooding has killed many school children and the trauma of parents seeing their children sweep away has prompted many preventing their children from going to school.

There are high rates of illiteracy and limited education facilities, with girls in particular being denied an education.

These villagers lack clean water, which has led to all sorts of water born diseases and lost of lives. Muscular Dystrophy, a disease that completely disables children is common, but unfortunately, the lack of health facilities and electricity means the people cannot store vaccines and lifesaving drugs, nor can they operate essential lifesaving medical equipment like incubators and x-ray machines. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is alarming and more needs to be done not only in the prevention but also in accessing treatment.

CORA strongly believes that these vulnerable villages are best placed to deal with their problems, if given vital resources and essential skills.