A day after the 21st Edition of the National Guidance and Counseling Day in Cameroon under the theme “The Socio-professional future of the students at the heart of the Ministry of Secondary Education’s Priorities”, Open Dreams in the same spirit, went further to organized a “Student Symposium” which brought about 250+ students from across the secondary and high schools in Cameroon. It was an honor and a privilege to have successfully organized the Student Symposium 2023 in Bafoussam Cameroon.
This program was intended to bring to the knowledge of young talented teenagers across the West Region of Cameroon about existing opportunities the world has to offer them and equally how they can take advantage of such through the help of Organizations like Open Dreams, The UREGA Foundation, The HALI Access Network and more.
The program involved the singing of the National Anthem and the Open Anthem,a welcome address from the Open Dreams Program Coordinator for the West Region, a talk from the African Science Academy (ASA) by Agatha Souzi Youyou, a talk from a TechGirl Lindsay Zokou, a music interlude, a presentation of UREGA Scholars and handing of their Textbooks from the UREGA, a talk and Prayers by the Rev. Harmony Ngafeeson and more.
It was a long day and a day well spent, exchanging and impacting the lives of young Cameroonian teenagers, walking them through existing scholarship opportunities and how they can take advantage of them now. This program took place at the Kingdom Embassy Bafoussam Auditorium. It was attended by 250+ students (quite massive and unprecedented) from 10+ secondary and high schools across Bafoussam.
The Regional Program Coordinator for the West, Ngolefac Emmanuel in his welcome addressed, dazed the students when he expounded on how they can become great if they could just Dream Big and Take Risk! “Dreams are Valid,” he said, and he implored the students to take up their pens and bloc notes to write down all essential points as the facilitators were giving out their experiences on college applications. He concluded his presentation with these words: "Everyone can be successful if he/she believes in their potential. Believe in yourself, be unique and be you, be genuine, and above all, be real. Scholarships are not a myth, they are real so work hard, build your capacity, and trust God in the process as you embark on the journey".
The students were encouraged to learn more about scholarship experiences especially when the fifteen-year-old student, Lindsay Zokou a TechGirl, shared her experience in the US. Her story was on point! Later Mrs. Ngolefac presented on “PEER PRESSURE”. Her presentation helped many students to identify and handle negative peer pressure.
As the saying goes, “Learning without playing makes Jack a dull boy”, students and youth stole the show with music presentations, displaying their talents in dancing.
Immediately after the talent display, the Rev. Harmony Ngafeeson came up and encouraged the students. He said, “Dreams are Valid and we have seen how Open Dreams is working relentlessly to see that you have verified and authentic first-hand information about scholarships. But if you are not disciplined, you will certainly not benefit from them opportunities. Stay away from drugs, and irrelevant relationships and above all, respect your parents, teachers, and in fact, everyone in your community. Do not forget to be part of extra-curricular activities in school, church, as well as in your respective communities".
To close it up, he prayed for the students and blessed them before another exciting moment during which there was light refreshment and networking.
Open Dreams Bafoussam
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