1. About CIFAS  

CIFAS is a community mobilisation group involving working women from both formal and informal sectors (housewives & domestics) as well as women in agriculture. Its objectives include: promoting breastfeeding and timely & appropriate complementary feeding; improving nutrition of pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers; protecting breastfeeding through implementation and monitoring of the International Code; promoting the use of Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) to enhance birth spacing; support mothers through Information, Education & Communication (IEC); monitor infant and child growth from 0-5 years; encourage income-generating activities for mother support groups; train women who could be responsible for workplace nurseries; organize courses for heads of firms to make them aware of the benefits of workplace nurseries. CIFAS is very gifted at IEC and does sketches, songs, dances, etc., about breastfeeding. It also has strong partnerships with trade unions, women's organisations, several ministries and other agencies that can co-sponsor or provide technical assistance towards starting model mother-friendly work environments. 

2. Aims & Objectives  

As part of the MFWI, the CIFAS project intends to set up breastfeeding support centres called the PAMA. This is a centre where mothers can continue breastfeeding, nutritional follow-up, and thus work with enhanced productivity.  

3. Setting up of the PAMA - Active Breastfeeding Mothers' Friendly Places  

The setting up of this Centre involved a long process of investigation, seminars, research and open discussion. The investigation process involved testing the places where there was greatest need for such a centre, in Bafia, Douala and Yaounde. In Bafia, the capital of Mbam and Inoubou, more than 200 women were interviewed to ascertain breastfeeding practices, difficulties and expectations. It was found that breastfeeding was common practice largely because the people were too poor to buy artificial milk. The feeding bottle was a status symbol and women would have bottle fed their babies if they could afford. The CIFAS members took advantage of the General Assembly of the Christian Women's Association of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon to do a second survey among more than 400 leaders. 

In Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon, 150 women were contacted and informed about the benefits of breastfeeding. A small seminar was held for the Mother Support Group and 12 women were trained.  

4. Achievements  

CIFAS set up its first workplace nursery in the market of Elig-Edzoa, in Yaound, in May/June 1995. The French term is Point Ami des Meres Actives Allaitantes - PAMA -, which means a mother-friendly meeting point for breastfeeding, working (or economically active) women. The market at Elig-Edzoa was chosen among several such as Mfoundi. Mfoundi was initially favoured because the market was near the train station, supermarkets & the BCIC bank which was interested; however, the authorities were NOT interested, so Elig-Edzoa was finally chosen. The PAMA was built of planks & equipped with basic necessities. Thirty women were trained from 29-31 May 1995, in management, advantages of breastfeeding, vaccination, nutrition, etc. The PAMA opened its doors on 1 June and was officially inaugurated on 13 June 1995 by the Ministry of Public Health. Now, the PAMA provides information about the benefits of breastfeeding and conducts regular demonstrations on various aspects of breastfeeding and use of local weaning foods.  

To commemorate the Day of the African Child in 1996, which was on the same date as the anniversary of the Soweto massacre, the PAMA's first birthday party was organised. This time the Minister of Social and Women's Affairs (a woman) and the Deputy Mayor of Elig-Edzoa (also a woman, and a magistrate) attended a lively ceremony with much media coverage. There were lots of songs, dances and sketches with the market women involved at the forefront. The party carried on at the deputy Mayor's house! 

Although the CIFAS seed grant stretched farther because of the devaluation of the local currency, there is a need now for funds to finish the building and bring water, electricity, etc. However, the mothers involved in the PAMA make baby clothes and sell items to generate income. Also, now a Canadian NGO has provided two mills to grind the cereals to prepare local complementary feeding, as this is a big problem in Yaound,. An NGO in Luxembourg is also interested in providing funds, so this is a real success story, showing how a little seed grant can stimulate interest among the authorities, generate income, interest other NGOs and donors and create an effect of emulation among other municipalities or townships who want to be as successful. CIFAS has future plans for a PAMA in Mfoundi and even Mokolo. Now that the authorities have seen what it is really all about, they are very interested! 

Two new PAMAs have since been established due to the success of the Elig-Edzoa project. Having witnessed the feasibility of the above PAMA, CIFAS was contacted by the women of Obili (in Yaounde) to open another in their area. This PAMA is unique due to the fact that it is installed in a residential area rather than in the market. Mothers are able to drop their young children off near their homes and attend to market duties, and other domestic activities nearby. 

The other new PAMA was born to service three communities: Bilanga-Kombe in December 1996, Nachtigal in April 1997 and Aboin in September 1997. This is a mobile PAMA set up to deal with women working on community farms as well as those who are transient farm workers.