Kumba III sub-division:

Mary Clara Centre donates to Mabanda kids

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba

Mary Clara center donates to children

Some over 50 children from Mabanda in Kumba III sub division have benefited Xmas gifts from the Mary Clara Center for teenage mothers. The gesture was done this December 19 at the premises of the center, on the occasion of the 2nd edition of Xmas party for vulnerable, needy and orphans of the area.

                All the over fifty children were drawn from Mabanda, and with most of them being residents of the center.

                The event which took place in the presence of some parents, guest artistes from kumba and invitees, was aimed to put smiles on the faces of the needy children, most of whom are born of teenage mothers.

                While addressing the population, the founder of the center, Mrs Mary Clara called on the population to join hands in supporting the works on the center. She equally called on teenage mothers who have been thrown out of homes as a result of early pregnancy to register in the center so as to acquire some entrepreneurial skills and talents in a bid to becoming more productive in the society.

                Mrs Mary Clara told the parents that getting pregnant at an early age is not the end of the world for their daughters. She therefore challenged the parents to stop stigmatizing their children and rather see how they can help them to bring up the children while also advising them to avoid being victims of the ill.

                The center which went operational in 2014 operates under the theme: 'No to teenage pregnancies". It activities focus on sensitization, training, orientation, counseling and farming. The center takes care of orphans as well as teenage mothers and their children.

                It equally operates hand-in-glove with the association of teenage mothers created to support the activities of the center as well as bring together all teenage mothers in Mabanda.

                The founder, Mrs Mary Clara has promised to create a nursery section at the center to educate the children.

                The second edition of the Xmas party witnessed competitions for the kids in singing, chair dance, ballet dance as well as a sack race. Winners were given special prizes.

                Based in an underdeveloped locality like Mabanda, Mrs Mary Clara hopes to reduce the rate of teenage pregnancy and rate of academic drop outs among young girls, as well as bring hope to the less privileged in Mabanda.