Need Assessment at Mile 17 Motor Park, Buea

The ongoing Anglophone crisis in the South West Region of Cameroon has severely impacted the lives of many residents, particularly in Buea Municipality. As part of our project titled “Empowering Homeless IDPs: Promoting Healthy Sleep Patterns Among Street Hawkers and Sex Workers,” the Berine and Bokwe Foundation (BEBOF) conducted a thorough need assessment at Mile 17 Motor Park, Buea. This assessment aimed to understand the sleep health challenges faced by vulnerable groups, especially street hawkers and displaced young girls, and to tailor our intervention accordingly.

During our need assessment at Mile 17 Motor Park, we engaged with numerous street hawkers and young girls who have been displaced due to the conflict. We gathered valuable insights into their daily struggles and the adverse conditions affecting their sleep health.

One of the hawkers we met was Mercy, a 17-year-old girl who lost her parents during the conflict. She now lives with her younger siblings in a makeshift shelter and sells fruits at Mile 17 to support her family. Mercy shared her story with us, highlighting how the lack of proper sleep has affected her health and ability to concentrate. Her dream of going back to school and having a safe place to sleep at night resonated deeply with us.

Similarly, we spoke with Yuven, a 22-year-old street hawker who has been displaced from his village. Yuven sells phone accessories on the streets and sleeps wherever he finds space. The constant stress and insecurity he faces have severely impacted his sleep and overall health. Despite his struggles, Yuven remains hopeful and is eager for any support that can help improve his situation.

Key Findings

Our assessment revealed several critical issues impacting the sleep health of street hawkers and displaced young girls:

Unsafe Sleeping Environments: Many individuals sleep in insecure and noisy locations, making it difficult to get restful sleep.
Long Working Hours: The need to work extended hours in stressful conditions further disrupts their sleep patterns.
Lack of Healthcare Access: Limited access to basic healthcare and social support exacerbates their poor sleep health.
Nutritional Deficiencies: Inadequate nutrition affects their overall health, including their ability to maintain healthy sleep patterns.

Project Implementation

In response to these findings, our project aims to implement several key activities to improve sleep health and overall well-being:

Establishing safe, clean sleeping areas with security measures for street hawkers and young girls.
Offering sleep health education workshops led by professionals.
Providing basic healthcare services, including mental health support.
Ensuring nutritional support through meal programs.
Creating community support networks to foster ongoing support and healthy sleep patterns.

Conclusion

The need assessment at Mile 17 Motor Park, Buea, underscored the urgent need to address sleep health among street hawkers and displaced young girls affected by the Anglophone crisis. Through our project, we aim to provide comprehensive support to improve their sleep quality, physical and mental health, and overall resilience. By addressing these critical issues, we hope to create a healthier and more productive community in Buea Municipality.