The Chinese Ambassador to Cameroon, Wei Wenhua, on November 21, 2017 in the country’s capital, Yaounde, donated foodstuff and other basic items to assist vulnerable people in the North West and South West Regions. The gift worth about 9 million FCFA (107,000 RMB), was handed over to Habissou Bidoung, Secretary General of the Chantal Biya Foundation, FCB, the charity organization founded by First Lady Chantal Biya.

"We appreciate the work of Chantal Biya Foundation," Wei Wenhua noted. "FCB has been assisting the underprivileged for many years. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I commend the efforts of Mrs. Chantal Biya," the Ambassador said. "The Chinese Embassy is ready to continue to cooperate with Chantal Biya Foundation to improve the living standards of underprivileged people. The present donation, which is meant for people in the North West and South West Regions, demonstrates the deep friendship between China and Cameroon," Wei added.

Habissou Bidoung on behalf of Mrs. Chantal Biya thanked the Chinese Ambassador for the donation, adding that the First Lady’s humanitarian activities were not limited to the Chantal Biya Foundation. Instead, they cover the country, assisting poor people in remote communities. Ambassador Wei Wenhua was later taken round on a guided tour of the Chantal Biya Foundation headquarters.

In order to raise public awareness on the fight against poverty, disease, misery and all types of exclusion in urban and rural areas, Mrs. Chantal Biya in 1994 founded the foundation that bears her name. The Chantal Biya Foundation seeks to prevent and ease human hardship; ensure the protection, education and social and health needs of mothers and children. It assists poor patients, abandoned children and the elderly; combats poverty and misery; protects the family, and assists needy hospitals and health centres with equipment and drugs.

An apolitical, non-denominational and non-profit humanitarian association, the Chantal Biya Foundation was recognized as a public interest association by government on April 30, 1999. It enjoys special advisory status in the United Nations Economic and Social Council. It is also member of the Francophonie Mother and Child Network.

Kimeng Hilton Ndukong, a contributor to People’s Daily Online, is Sub-Editor for World News with Cameroon Tribune bilingual daily newspaper in Cameroon. He is currently a 2017 China-Africa Press Centre, CAPC fellow.