Boosting community healthcare: Unite for Health unveils scheme to bankroll training of nurses.

The ambitious programme, an initiative of US-based Cameroonian health expert, Ndansi Elvis Nukam, who is Founder of Unite for Health, was unveiled on Saturday, August 30, in the town of Misaje, Donga Mantung Division of the North West Region.

The initiative which has been saluted by residents of Misaje, was presented at the close of the 8th edition of Shaa/Maasah Festival.

The closing ceremony of the rebranded Misaje Shaa festival brought together residents from the length and breadth of Misaje Subdivision.

The annual Shaa Festival in Misaje, it should be said, is a health-focused event organised by Unite for Health Foundation with the aim of promoting hygiene in the production and sale of Shaa, a traditional local liquor produced from fermented corn.

Founded by Ndansi Elvis, the festival encourages the use of clean running water for rinsing cups and has led to the formation of Shaa Women Unions, boosting women's income, social status, and health knowledge

The festival which this year included Maasah, a local delicacy produced from corn in the form of puff puff, was hosted by the people of Misaje, featuring wide range of activities, including a scholarship donation, tug of war, Maasah and Shaa competitions.

One of the highlights of the festival was the launch of a scholarship scheme by Unite for Health Foundation.

The scheme aims to train Muslim girls in nursing. Organisers announced that the scholarship recipients will be required to work in Misaje for two to five years after completing their training. 

The initiative, is a testament to the commitment of Ndansi Elvis, the founder of U4HF, to empowering the youth and promoting education and health in the community.

Women smile home with prizes

Meanwhile, the 2025 edition of the Shaa festival featured different competitions, including tug of war and Maasah competition. 

The Misaje Shaa Union emerged victorious in the Shaa competition, with Wemuh Jessica lifting the coveted prize of 500,000 FCFA. In the Maasah competition, Kigenshi of Nkanchi emerged the champion. 

Dumbu Drivers Union, on the other hand, pulled off an impressive performance in the tug of war, beating Kamine and drawing with Misaje to emerge victorious.

The festival was attended by several dignitaries, including the Mayor of Misaje, Gregory Kinlo. The municipal authority had during the event, praised Unite for Health Foundation for its generosity and commitment to the community. 

Mayor Kinlo had used the ceremony to call on other elite of the subdivision to emulate Ndansi Elvis's good example and invest in the development of the municipality.

Divisional Officer hails initiator 

Speaking during Saturday’s closing ceremony, the representative of the Divisional Officer of Misaje, Kum Eric, applauded the magnanimity of the funder and initiator of the Shae festival before describing the annual gathering as having a positive impact on the lives of the people in the entire subdivision. 

He assured the administration's continued support for the initiative, stating that it would continue to support the festival as long as it remained apolitical.

For his part, the Donga Mantung Divisional Delegate of Agriculture and Rural Development, Cham Gilbert, who attended the festival, encouraged the Shaa and Maasah women to use modern techniques to produce more maize, which is the main ingredient for producing Shaa and Maasah. 

He noted that the climatic conditions of Misaje Subdivision are favourable for maize cultivation twice a year. He was quick to encourage the people of the area to take advantage of the opportunity.

One of the innovative features of this year's festival was the introduction of Kwasham (locally produced milk), a competition for Mbororo women. 

The phase of the festival positioned the initiative as inclusive, involving all communities in the subdivision. 

Organisers have described the 2025 Misaje Shaa and Maasah Festival as a huge success, which they say succeeded in bringing together the community and promoting cultural exchange, education, and economic development. 

The Unite for Health Foundation's scholarship scheme and the festival's competitions and activities all contributed to the event's impact and significance. 

As the community looks to the future, it is clear that the festival will continue to play an important role in promoting unity, development, and cultural heritage.

Traditional rulers commend promoter

Speaking on the sidelines of the festival during a meeting organised by Unite for Health, traditional rulers of Misaje, took a firm commitment to always accompany women of the area in the festival which they described as life changing. 

The Fon of Nkanchi, His Royal Majesty Thomas Kimbusie, who is also member of the House of Chiefs at the North West Regional Assembly, indicated that Shaa is a livewire for most community members in Misaje Subdivision. 

For his part, Fon Jebo Augustine Jang II of Dumbu pointed out that women now control most the economic and financial power in his Fondom. 

Their contribution in the development of the Fondom, he said, is enormous with some of them funding the education of children and constructing their own houses.

On the eve of the grand finale of the Shaa festival held Saturday, Unite for Health had organised a health campaign for lactating mothers and pregnant women in Misaje. 

While pregnant women underwent free ultrasound testing and lactating mothers were essential material items. The pregnant women also received delivery kits. The beneficiaries have expressed gratitude to Unite for Health Foundation for the gestures.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3552 of Tuesday September 02, 2025