ORISA® water purifier promotes access to drinking water in health centers thanks to Échanges France Cameroun
On February 20, 1990, the association Échanges France Cameroun was born. It was founded by 4 former Cameroonians and a Cameroonian emigrant, Jean-Claude Mathieu, who was its president. The association’s aim is to help the people of Cameroon within their means.
Gilles Wafo-Tapa is currently president of this humanitarian association, which works in 3 main areas:
- Access to drinking water for the population.
- In the field of health
- In the field of education
Échanges France Cameroun has been working to help the Cameroonian population for over 30 years. With regard to access to drinking water, the association has been involved in the creation of several wells since 1999. Since 2022, the association has also been using an ORISA® water purifier produced by Fonto de vivo.
Drinking water well dug in the village of Djebem in Bandjoun
Well construction campaign in Cameroon between 2004 and 2006
Well construction campaign in Cameroon between 2004 and 2006
A mini-dam built at Donakrivin
Drilling a well in the village of Kaffam
Water and electricity supply project at the Djiogo health centre
The Semto health centre helped by Échanges France Cameroun
On May 30, 1970, Abbé André Ndjoyo founded the Semto Catholic medical center with the participation of Catholic Christians from the Notre-Dame du Sacré Coeur parish in Semto. At the time, the center was run by nuns, and when they left, the diocese asked Mr. Gilles Wafo-Tapa to take over its management and turn it into a reference health center.
So, with the Echanges France Cameroun association, of which he has been president since 1997, Gilles Wafo-Tapa is going to help develop this center.
Work at the Semto health centre
ORISA® purifier to supply drinking water to patients in health centers
Using ORISA® in Cameroon
At the Semto health center, an average of 25 to 30 patients are treated every day. It is necessary to provide them with drinking water, which is why, since 2022, the association Échanges France Cameroun has helped purchase an ORISA® water purifier to give the center’s patients access to drinking water. However, according to Gilles Wafo-Tapa, this is still not enough for the time being, as he estimates that 4 units of this purifier are needed.
During his visit to Nantes, Gilles Wafo-Tapa gave us an interview, which you can find below, in which he talks about his association, the health center, access to drinking water and ORISA®.
To contact Échanges France Cameroun: francecameroun44@yahoo.fr
To make a donation to Échanges France Cameroun: https://www.echange-francecameroun.org/adhesion-association-echanges-france-cameroun/
Interview with Gilles Wafo-Tapa, President of the association Échanges France Cameroun
“Le problème d’accès à l’eau demeure majeur. Nous apportons de l’autonomie aux personnes qu’elles soient en situation d’urgence ou de développement humanitaire.”
“Adapter et rendre abordables les technologies de filtration aux usages de chacun, pour relever les défis sociaux et écologiques de notre époque.”
Anthony Cailleau, représentant France des projets en Colombie, Directeur Général et co-fondateur de Fonto de vivo.Interlocuteur pour l’aide au développement et à la coopération internationale.