In view of the World Humanitarian Day commemorated under the theme “It Takes a Village” on August 19th, 2022, CUAPWD’s Family celebrates Ketchem Valentine as an OPD Leader and a Humanitarian Volunteer with a difference.Valentine acquired profound Vision Impairment at the very later stage of his life (12 years ago) as a result of a dripping liquid substance from rubber in a rubber plantation in the South West region of Cameroon. He returned to his native Befang Village in Menchum Valley Sub-division of Menchum Division in the North West region of Cameroon, where he currently resides and coordinates the affairs of OPDs as the sub-divisional Chairperson of CUAPWD in the Menchum Valley sub-division.
Even though Ketchem Valentine lost his vision, his income sources, and his wife left him as a result of his ordeal, he did not stop thinking and working for his new family members (Persons with Disabilities) in his community; the reason why in November 2020, he was elected Sub-divisional Chairperson of CUAPWD and Technical Adviser to the Divisional Unit of CUAPWD. He also serves as a Technical Adviser to the Traditional Council of Befang and many more persons come around him for advice. (Old Picture)
In the current socio-political crisis of the Anglophone regions of Cameroon, Ketchem Valentine has received a series of training in Effective Policy work in Humanitarian action. This training had and is aiding him to carry out advocacy with Humanitarian Organizations and Community leaders on the right of persons with disabilities to meaningfully participate in decision-making and emergency response. He coordinated the collection of data for needs assessments of persons with disabilities and the striking part of it is that even with very limited resources and reasonable accommodation, he could still cross through the Menchum River without a bridge, in order to assess the needs of persons with disabilities in the hard to reach areas across the Menchum River. His determination to work encourages other leaders of OPDs and that is why on the 25th of August 2022, the Management of CUAPWD handed over to him a brand new White-cane, to aid his movement. CUAPWD is currently exploring opportunities to support Ketchem Valentine to regain his economic sources and get a good shelter as he is currently living with his 12year old daughter in a dilapidating structure offered to him by a very aging widow.
