Bertoua: Eneo Gives Hope to Children, with Gift to an Orphanage
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The Orphelinat Marie-France and the Nkolbikon community in Bertoua now have a vital resource : potable water. Thanks to the “Light Up Future – One Child, One Light” solidarity programme spearheaded by Eneo Cameroon employees, a modern borehole was inaugurated and officially handed over last week during a ceremony steeped in emotion and gratitude.
“Going forward, potable water is just a few steps away. No more tiring back-and-forths. No more doubt on the quality of water consumed. No more deprivation that affects hygiene and health. Instead, we have a reliable, constant, clean and sustainable source, ” revealed Raissa Tekeu, Eneo regional director for the East Region in her speech.
Everything started back in September 2024 during the Back-to-School now Light Up a Future - One child, One light campaign organised at l’Orphelinat Marie-France. While handing out school bags and books to orphanage children, the General Manager discovered a disturbing reality: the children did not have reliable access to potable water. Diseases related to the consumption of unclean water, tiring water-fetching chores, lack of hygiene and other challenges made their daily life difficult, casting a shadow over their smiles. On Tuesday 12 August 2025, water sprouted from a brand-new borehole handed over to Orphelinat Marie France. Majolie Matia is the founder of Orphelinat Marie France. “Eneo that gave us this gift shows that it has a big heart and that we can always count on it. We will always be grateful for this gift, which will impact this orphanage and residents over the long-term,” she stated.
This borehole is more than a simple well. It is equipped with an overhead water tank, autonomous solar power supply and a reliable system to ensure clean and accessible water, both by day and night. Co-designed with community input, this facility also symbolises modernity and sustainability. Construction cost CFAF 17, 399, 196 (seventeen million three hundred and ninety-nine thousand one hundred and ninety-six). It is worth noting that these projects are part of our programme to combat diarrhoeal and water-borne diseases that we launched in 2020, by facilitating the access of vulnerable and marginalised communities to potable water.
The WASH programme has already been implemented through the construction and hand-over of 10 potable water boreholes to health centres, schools, orphanages and local communities, costing over all CFAF 183 million.
