BAMENDA COMMISSION FINANCES
There were four main sources of money raised in the Portsmouth diocese for Bamenda during the year 2004. The annual collection on Bamenda Sunday raised just over £34,300 with a further £12,600 coming from individuals and parishes for specific projects.

Our investments in the diocesan investment fund produced just under £7,600 with a further £9,750 arising from a legacy made by Father Frank Reynolds. The legacy was used to buy additional units in the diocesan investment fund. The total funds we received therefore amounted to £64,250.

The costs to run the Bamenda Commission only amounted to £680. leaving the balance (after the investment of the legacy) available for the needs of our sister diocese. We used £10,000 for the education of a Bamenda priest and £46,900 went either on projects in Bamenda or towards specific medical equipment requirements.

There is always a far greater demand for our resources than the supply available which means that we have to prioritise how the funds are used. Our main priorities have been towards helping to support and expand the medical facilities in Bamenda as well as helping with HIV/AIDS education, prisoners and orphans. We are also able to help with ongoing ecumenical work.

Our grateful thanks go to these individuals and parishes who have decided to directly support individuals and projects in Bamenda. We would also thanks every who contributes so generously on Bamenda Sunday. We know how much our support means to the people of Bamenda and if you do feel able to be more generous then the additional funds will allow us to support even more of the vital work which is required.

Treasurer: Mr Robert Hayes


CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
As Mgr. Jeremy Garratt has mentioned in his forward Archbishop Paul of Bamenda, is due to retire in January 2006. Archbishop Paul developed the link between the dioceses of Portsmouth and Bamenda nearly 30 years ago and through his vision and fortitude the relationship has gone from strength to strength over the years.

To say 'goodbye' and to ensure that the link between the dioceses continues to develop Mgr. Jeremy Garratt and I travelled to Bamenda in April. This was an opportunity to see for ourselves the situation in the diocese and to get first hand information about the projects which the people of the Portsmouth diocese have supported recently.

The projects are developing well, some more quickly than others, and your support for all the programmes is enthusiastically received by the local communities.

The Portsmouth donations are contributing to water projects and the building and equipping of health centres, schools and churches but, perhaps even more importantly, the donations are supporting the key local people in our sister diocese.

These people, mainly religious sisters - provide help to disadvantaged individuals and their families, particularly those suffering from social injustice and the devastation of AIDS.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic shows no sign of abating although the cost of drug treatment has reduced dramatically. The health centres and hospitals are crowded with AIDS cases and the associated infections, TB and pneumonia particularly.

Based at Njinikom Hospital a scheme called 'Project Hope is providing holistic support for AIDS victims - from counselling to active treatment and palliative care. The epidemic is overwhelming in its proportions and the number of orphans left behind, after their parents have succumbed to AIDS, continues to grow.