Cameroon

Poverty in Cameroon is widespread and adversely affects 51% of its 16 million inhabitants who live below the poverty line. It is one of the poorest countries in the world ranking 148th out of 177 in the 2005 Human Development Report. The rural community which is primarily agrarian bears the brunt of it, as almost 64% of the sector lies in destitution. About half of the total population lives on less than US $2 a day. Women and children are most affected with child labor and abuse still being a common practice.

The government allocates much of its money to debt servicing; the country has a very high international debt, leaving limited resources for the provision of basic services such as health and education. Cameroon’s main cash crops are coffee, cotton and cacao. The main subsistence crops (growing food for one’s own need) are sorghum, plantain, tubers, millet and root. Livestock is also important to the food supply.

Six of the leading sources of poverty in Cameroon are poor nutrition, unreasonable high costs of necessary goods and services, high levels of unemployment, inappropriate technology, illiteracy and lack of concern for women-specific needs. It is being said that poverty in Cameroon is taking on an increasingly feminine face.

While slight improvement may have taken place over the past few years on the role of women in Cameroon in terms of employment in urban areas, majority are still stuck in rural areas as they bear the responsibility of single-handedly providing for their families.

To improve the standard of living of poor rural people depends on improving their employment opportunities, better infrastructure, and their access to education, medical care, clean drinking water, information, and the stability of the cost of foodstuffs.

In the year 2002, two years before the presidential elections in 2004, government authorities prohibited opposition meetings and temporarily held captive those who criticized the government especially political activists and journalists. Radio and television stations were shut down. Prior to that, the former secretary of the Southern Cameroon National Council was shot dead; the killing was largely suspected to be done by government security forces. Later that year police shot five people and wounded more then 30 others during a protest in Douala. The demonstrators had gathered to protest against government corruption and police brutality (a motorcycle taxi driver was beaten to death by a policeman for failing to stop at a road block).

Paris-based International Federation of Human Rights helpers also received death threats as they helped to compile a report on torture in Cameroon which was published later on.

Numerous other personnel’s that were affiliated with human rights organization received death threats too.

Recently, various organizations showed concern about consistent torture by police authorities after the arrest of suspects, with perpetrators almost always enjoying exemption from punishment. It shed light on reports of overcrowding, inadequate ventilation, and life-threatening situations in prisons that resulted in savage, inhumane and degrading treatment. About 72 prisoners were reported to have died in Douala central prison alone. Prisoners/detainees were responsible for paying for their own medical care and women and men were often held together which led to an increase in in-prison-crime resulting from jealousy.

Though legislators are said to be trying, it is a grave concern that Cameroon has not passed any law that prohibits female genital mutilation. Approximately 20% of Cameroon women are subjected to genital mutilation, mutilation can occur when a female child is born, or during childhood, during adolescence, before marriage or after a woman gives birth to her first child. Also, rapists are exempt from judicial proceedings and punishment if they marry their victim which leads to the assumption that that crime is validated.

Cameroon’s statistics on AIDS are not as depressing when compared to other countries in Africa but we have to keep in mind that the population of Cameroon is much less than other African countries and though the amount of HIV positive and AIDS carriers maybe be considerably less, the ratio is somewhat comparable. It affects a significant amount of people for it to be taken seriously.

The HIV-burden in Cameroon is estimated at almost 12 percent of the 15-49 age population which is approximately 510,000 people. About 46,000 die from AIDS annually and about 240,000 children ranging from the ages of 0 to 17 get orphaned every year to AIDS. It is predominantly spread by mother to child and husband to wife transmission.

There is a high level of political commitment to fighting AIDS/HIV in Cameroon; the government has developed a National Strategic Plan Against AIDS. The primary action area for this campaign includes prevention targeting youth and women, condom distribution, blood supply safety, HIV surveillance and involvement of employers and religious leaders helping spread awareness.

Malaria is endemic and is the leading cause sickness and mortality in Cameroon. The malaria transmission is throughout the year especially in the southern (rainforest) region. It accounts for as many as half of all medical consultations and 30 percent of hospitalizations. The death rate for children under five is about 620 per 100,000.

Tuberculosis is also a leading cause of concern in Cameroon. It has been estimated that the tuberculosis death rate is 61 per 100,000 for the country. It is also one of the many infectious diseases (including AIDS) that are on the rise in prisons. food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever, yellow fever has high risks in some locations.

Destruction and deforestation of the forest is a common occurrence, poaching is a major problem because there are not enough guards in all of Cameroon’s 18 national parks. This endangers the lives and leads to extinction of many endangered species. Around 200,000 hectares (494,200 acres) of land per year get destroyed in fires. Commercial exploitation is also very prevalent and is the primary cause of deforestation. Because of this the biodiversity or the health of biological systems is greatly reduced.

Overgrazing, another major environmental issue can lead to the stoppage of the natural regeneration of trees which eventually brings about a loss of habitat. Mid 1980s, Cameroon had lost about 40% of its mangrove swamps which was a great threat to natural fisheries. Over-fishing is also prevalent and threatens the wildlife. Air pollution, another significant problem is mainly caused by industrial chemicals and vehicle emissions.

There are active volcanoes on Cameroon, flooding, and insect infestations are also major problems.

A recent survey (UNESCO/UNDP) estimated that about 60% of children complete primary school. Only about half of these students (48%) go on for further education in secondary school while a mere 5% can afford a tertiary or college education. Over all 59.8% of adults in Cameroon are literate; which means that less than half the country is illiterate.

An increase has been seen in attendance in primary schools, with many eager children attending. However, many children in rural areas still have no access to public schooling. Secondary education had little over half of the eligible children enrolled, and the number decreases even more on the university level, with only 5 percent of the college-age population enrolled in an institution of higher learning.

There is a high amount of people in need of literacy training; one of the many reasons why Cameroon has an average literacy rate (for it can improve) is that the government does not allocate enough funding for this department. Priority in the government budget is given to paying off the high international debt. Only about 17.2% of Cameroon’s budget goes towards education. Due to lack of education and skills, a lot of women are subjected to forceful early marriages and prostitution Besides the lack of funding, there is also a lack of trained personnel and those who do go on to acquire a tertiary education end up migrating to another country for a better future taking the skills and knowledge necessary to improve the education system with them.

Association of Human Rights and Torture Defenders - Defend human rights, relief to victims of torture, fight against child labor, rape, exploitation, abuse, neglect, and trafficking, promotion and defense of women’s rights, provision of material, legal and socio-cultural assistance to victims.

Benevolent Community Education and Rural Development Society - Combating poverty at grassroots level by providing rural women with micro credit loans and training to start their own small businesses and thus play an active role in the development of their community to achieve empowerment. Training ranges from small scale farming and animal husbandry techniques to book keeping and literacy. Other projects include HIV awareness and health programs in rural communities.

Cameroon Family Welfare Development Association (CAFWEDA) - The Cameroon Family Welfare Development Association (CAFWEDA) is a non-profit self-help organization. Their mission is to play a leading role in alleviating poverty among underprivileged women, young girls and handicapped groups in rural Cameroon through education and skill building on income generating projects, as well as methods of making use of their natural resources and environment.

Cameroon Wildlife Aid Fund (CWAF) - CWAF is a UK registered charity that aims to ensure Cameroon's primates have a healthy future. Working with the government, local communities and other ecological groups around the world, we hope to show people the amazing diversity of wildlife in Cameroon, and explain exactly how and why it should be protected. We're looking for volunteers to come to Cameroon for up to 3 months, to play their part in primate conservation.

FOOD AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION - FORUDEF is dedicated to improving living standards through initiating and facilitating community actions for, and participating in conservation sustainable livelihood projects and the fight against HIV-AIDS in the South West Province and beyond.

Global Conscience Initiative Cameroon - Peace building through the promotion and protection of all the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Legal Counseling and assistance, governance and advocacy.

HOPE FOUNDATION, CAMEROON - Hope Foundation (HF) is a non-profit developmental and non- governmental organization based in Buea, Cameroon. HF was founded by a group of young committed community leaders in the year 2001, with the primary goal of promoting development thereby improving the standards of living of the rural communities in Cameroon.
Hope Foundation is involved in developmental and humanitarian activities in several fields especially education, health, water and sanitation, human rights, environment, women empowerment, ICT and assisting discriminated and disadvantaged community groups (disabled people, street children and orphans etc).

International Children's Welfare Foundation - ICWF is part of a unique, global alliance of caring individuals like you - a worldwide community sharing a common agenda for child-centered development and the well-being, rights and interests of the world's children. Enabling deprived children, their families, and their communities to meet their basic needs and to increase their ability to participate in and benefit from their societies. Fostering relationships to increase understanding and unity among people of different cultures and countries. Promoting the rights and interests of the world's children.

Mental Health Counseling Human Development and AIDS Association- MEHEDASFROM - We care for mental disabilities by providing drugs clothing, food especially to those who are totally abandoned on streets by family and friends, we do counseling to drug addicts and organize a lot of occupational therapies to help them socialize and gain their independence, we organize campaigns against mental illnesses especially the causes and prevention of these dreadful disease, we work in collaboration with other national and international organizations seeking for funds to help these poor patients. We are in need of professionals in the field of psychiatry to assist us for we don’t have a professional school in Cameroon.

NOAH'S ARK Cameroon - We are a small organization that is based in Cameroon. Our aim is to help improve the literacy rate in Cameroon and Africa. We also run small orphanages to take care of children rendered helpless because of AIDS and other natural disasters.

Rural World Resources International - Foster social and economic development in rural areas of Sub – Saharan Africa by creating employment, minimizing poverty, and improving living conditions through establishing enduring community based and owned Renewable Energy Sites that generate electricity for business and home use

TREES FOR DEVELOPMENT - Run a tree nursery of some 12000 plants using the various propagation techniques. Production and distribution of eco -friendly grafted and selected plants.
Support schools environmental clubs in orchard development programs and commercial farmers to create orchards, bee farms with eco - friendly plants. Carryout trees planting with kids age 06 to 18 years in public places to create more awareness on the importance of tree planting for a sound environment.

UNION FOR EMPOWERMENT AND CO-OPERATION FORUM (UNECOF) - Economic Growth in Cameroon is not reflected in the private sector. Unemployment remains a major problem and poverty is rife. People can no longer depend on the government for employment. There is the need to empower the youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to carryout activities that can generate income. Only in this why can we realize poverty alleviation.

Youth Development Association - We have as mission the education of children and also carry-out youth oriented projects such as waste-recycling, organic farming capacity building, animal husbandry and community development.

Youth Peer Education Foundation Cameroon - We work as peer educators to youths and adults and also organize training programs to train young school students as peers against AIDS, Alcoholism and juvenile delinquencies.

Build a Community School in Rural Mbziengo - We are seeking for volunteers who will like to participate in the building up of our community primary school. We are in a very friendly rural community. If you are interested on knowing more and will like to invite a friend please drop us a line and we will get back to you. Volunteers will have the opportunity of visiting traditional palaces, game reserves, and zoo and picturesque national parks. Volunteers are required to be from 18 and above and no special skills are required interest and friendliness to people with different cultures a requirement. You will be required to work from between 4-7 hours a day.

Community Education and Sensitization Projects - Volunteers shall be involved in various community education and sensitization programs. The various subjects of these programs shall computer education, language training in schools and training centers, sensitization and education on HIV/AIDS, human rights discussions and assistance to children and students in local schools. Volunteers applying for this camp should identify and mention the project fields in which they are good in so that we are effectively arrange an even distribution during the volunteering period.

Computer Software & Hardware Trainers - Volunteers needed to teach in Buea, Cameroon:
Computer Basics, Use of Microsoft Windows OS, Internet, Emailing, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, MS PowerPoint, MS Publisher, Web Design, Microsoft Networking, Hardware/Software maintenance. Duration, 3-12 months, Teach in English, Project at the foot of beautiful Mount Cameroon.

Construction Volunteer in Africa - BERUDEP is looking for volunteers to help out in the construction of one of our rural Primary school that was brought down by a heavy down pour of Rain during the heavy Rainy season. Volunteer is required to be very interested in working and getting their hands a little bit dirty. Volunteer is required to be more than 19 yr old.

Emergency Relief Volunteers Needed - Our Rural Organization is in urgent need of emergency Relief volunteers to come and help out a Community clinic that was brought down by heavy rains this rainy season. We work environment is a rural setting with very friendly community people who are very poor.

Projects on Street and Disadvantaged Children, Malaria Eradication & Aids - Volunteers shall be involved in a number of social projects which consist of working directly with the population with the aim of achieving a positive goal. Social projects include educating the population on malaria and how this can be prevented and treated. This project is very important because it falls in line with our current project activity. Volunteers shall organize local sensitization workshops in local districts and assist as well in the distribution of mosquito tents to deprived inhabitants greatly faced with problems of mosquitoes. Another part of volunteering activities shall be working with street and disadvantaged children where volunteers shall as well assist in distributing donated children material such as clothes and toys to this group of children. Visits to hospitals, prisons and orphanages have been planned! Other working days available shall be used for other social projects such as visiting local schools and children, assisting the rural people in minor tasks such as painting, building and cleaning.

The Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center in Cameroon, West-Central Africa - seeks volunteers for six-month stays. Under the direction of a Project Manager, volunteers are responsible for carrying out day-to-day operations of the sanctuary. Tasks include working with/overseeing Cameroonian staff (who speak French), buying food and supplies in town and nearby villages, helping with chimpanzee care and feeding, maintaining project equipment, assisting with construction projects, painting, and other manual tasks. Volunteers pitch in wherever most needed, though efforts are made to match individuals with their specific talents and skills.

Volunteer with the WIDOW REHABILITATION CENTRE (WIREC) - THE WIDOW REHABILITATION CENTRE of Buea Cameroon is seeking the services of a volunteer who will come and work with them in the realization of their projects. Their Objectives are basically centered on catering for widows and their children (if any) so as to reduce and finally eliminate hunger, poverty and suffering in their lives. These include among others. To bring widows closer to their lord and Savior Jesus Christ.To reduce all forms of physical and emotional torture of widows. To address negative traditional practices that enslaves women in their marital relationships. To empower the widows (economically/financially, etc).To educate widows and their children on their rights.