For dozens of children in Bimbia, the return to school this year came with an unexpected boost. Books, school bags, and other learning materials were handed to them on Saturday, September 5, 2026, through a back-to-school initiative spearheaded by Sarah-Derval Lifanda, Founder and CEO of Hope for Africa (HOFA).
The support program, held at Man-O-War Bay in Bimbia, Limbe III Subdivision, brought together pupils, students, parents, community leaders, and volunteers as HOFA made its second back-to-school intervention in the village.
The initiative comes at a time when many families in the South West Region continue to grapple with displacement and economic hardship. For some parents, meeting the basic requirements for a new school year remains a challenge.
Sarah-Derval said these realities influenced her decision to extend HOFA’s assistance to children in her home community.
“A lot of people have been displaced, have lost their livelihoods, and need support,” she explained, noting that HOFA has also undertaken similar interventions in other parts of the region, including Buea.
She said bringing the program to Bimbia was a deliberate decision to ensure children in the community also benefit from the organization’s efforts to promote education.
For her, the materials are not simply school supplies. They encourage children to stay focused on their education despite the difficulties around them.
“Education is and will always be the key,” she said, adding that the determination she sees among young people continues to motivate HOFA to do more for them.
The number of children who showed up also underscored the need for such support. HOFA had initially planned for 52 beneficiaries, but close to 78 children eventually turned up. Because additional materials had been prepared, the organization was able to accommodate the extra beneficiaries.
She said the response reinforced her belief that children still have a strong desire to learn and build better futures for themselves.
“I see that the younger ones still have the zeal and desire for education, and that is our push. It is now our responsibility to push them forward and help them achieve their dreams,” she said.
She used the occasion to thank the Bimbia community and its traditional leadership for embracing the initiative. She particularly appreciated the Chief of Bonangombe for his continued support and commitment to ensuring that members of the community are not left behind.
The HOFA Founder also acknowledged the donors, volunteers, friends, and members of her team whose contributions helped make the exercise possible.
Among those recognized were Sango Siegfried M. Lifanda, Nyango Lucy Eliva, Nyango Ndongo Quan, Nyango Alice Nako, Sango Pastor Njaba, Rev. Dr. ICE, Sango Kodjo Manga, Nyango Ejomi Kofele Bessem, George Mangeh, General Bome Sone, Edith Ekumdime, and Richard Mokake, alongside the Hope for Africa team and a sister and friend from MINPROFF.
But Lifanda says the project will not end with the distribution of school materials. Plans are already being considered for a broader program next year that could combine educational assistance with skills acquisition for youths who are no longer in school.
Such an expansion, she said, would allow HOFA to reach young people beyond the classroom and provide them with practical skills that can help them become more self-reliant.
The Chief of Bonangombe, HRM Kinge Victor Musuka III, welcomed the intervention, describing it as a meaningful gesture from Lifanda, a daughter of the community.
He encouraged parents and children to treat the donated materials with care and ensure that they serve their intended purpose.
“Don’t misuse this donation. I can attest to the importance of didactic materials in the life of a school child,” the traditional ruler told beneficiaries and their parents.
For parents who attended the ceremony, the assistance could not have come at a better time. They expressed gratitude to HOFA, saying the donation would help reduce some of the financial burden of preparing their children for the new academic year.
The Bimbia exercise reflects HOFA’s broader commitment to supporting vulnerable communities while investing in the education and future of young people.
Founded by Sarah-Derval Lifanda, Hope for Africa focuses on empowering women and girls economically, strengthening their participation in peace-building, and promoting women’s rights, peace, and security.
Through initiatives such as the Bimbia back-to-school program, Sarah-Derval says the organization hopes to translate that commitment into practical support for families and young people who need it most.
@Laarry Times
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