Reach out Cameroon – for community development of rural areas
By Denise
Nanni and Milena Rampoldi, ProMosaik. Let us go to Cameroon where we talked to Esther Omam of Reach Out Cameroon,
an organization caring about community development in rural areas which are
difficult to reach and under-privileged. Reach Out Cameroon defines itself as a women and youth centered not-for-profit making organisation.
Nanni and Milena Rampoldi, ProMosaik. Let us go to Cameroon where we talked to Esther Omam of Reach Out Cameroon,
an organization caring about community development in rural areas which are
difficult to reach and under-privileged. Reach Out Cameroon defines itself as a women and youth centered not-for-profit making organisation.
What are
the issues that brought to the foundation of Reach Out Cameroon?
the issues that brought to the foundation of Reach Out Cameroon?
The
inequalities suffered by women and youth in our communities, the inadequate
implementation of government’s policies in some of the isolated hard – to –
reach areas of our region made us have a particular focus on their plight thus
the creation of Reach Out Cameroon.
inequalities suffered by women and youth in our communities, the inadequate
implementation of government’s policies in some of the isolated hard – to –
reach areas of our region made us have a particular focus on their plight thus
the creation of Reach Out Cameroon.
What are
the objectives and activities that you carry on?
the objectives and activities that you carry on?
REACH OUT
Cameroon supports underprivileged groups within the communities on health
issues, wealth creation, human rights and governance for improved livelihood
using a community centred approach and advocacy.
Cameroon supports underprivileged groups within the communities on health
issues, wealth creation, human rights and governance for improved livelihood
using a community centred approach and advocacy.
What are
according to your experience the most effective ways to foster community
empowerment?
according to your experience the most effective ways to foster community
empowerment?
– Capacity
building/strengthening
building/strengthening
– Education
– Advocacy
and communication
and communication
– Participatory
monitoring and evaluation
monitoring and evaluation
How would
you define your approach?
you define your approach?
Our
approach so far has been community centred, where people’s needs and interests
are taking into consideration while making them to discover the hidden
potentials in them that could turn the story of their lives round.
approach so far has been community centred, where people’s needs and interests
are taking into consideration while making them to discover the hidden
potentials in them that could turn the story of their lives round.
What are
the projects that your Gender Department implements at the moment?
the projects that your Gender Department implements at the moment?
– Child,
Early and Forced Marriages (CEFEM)
Early and Forced Marriages (CEFEM)
– Making
Gender Based Violence history in the South West region
Gender Based Violence history in the South West region
– Massive
political participation of women in the electoral process of Cameroon
political participation of women in the electoral process of Cameroon
– Citizen’s
initiative for the strengthening of democracy in Cameroon – Case of South West
Region
initiative for the strengthening of democracy in Cameroon – Case of South West
Region
–
Facilitating the elaboration of Communal development plans of some council to
reflect the people’s needs and aspirations.
Facilitating the elaboration of Communal development plans of some council to
reflect the people’s needs and aspirations.
Just ended
project:
project:
Women
working for women’s rights
working for women’s rights
Women
worming for women to build a culture of sustainable peace in Bakassi
worming for women to build a culture of sustainable peace in Bakassi
Using
votomobile techniques for peace
votomobile techniques for peace
Do you
cooperate with local authorities and institutions? If yes, how?
cooperate with local authorities and institutions? If yes, how?
Yes, we do
cooperate with local authorities. We are one of the organisations in our region
which tried (with support from the European union sub programs for structuring
and strengthening of civil societies in Cameroon) to establish dialogue
platforms in our region to better communication between Public and private
actors.
cooperate with local authorities. We are one of the organisations in our region
which tried (with support from the European union sub programs for structuring
and strengthening of civil societies in Cameroon) to establish dialogue
platforms in our region to better communication between Public and private
actors.
So, we
enhanced visibility and collaboration with local and administrative authorities
by organizing Open Day Forums, facilitating the elaboration of communal
development plans, inviting them to our events, getting them involved in some
and also carrying out advocacy sessions through town hall meetings.
enhanced visibility and collaboration with local and administrative authorities
by organizing Open Day Forums, facilitating the elaboration of communal
development plans, inviting them to our events, getting them involved in some
and also carrying out advocacy sessions through town hall meetings.
We had also
organised the Grand Gender Forum : Mainstreaming gender in the development
process of the South West Region. This action saw the participation of all key
stakeholders and also strengthened our collaboration with both local and
administrative authorities.
organised the Grand Gender Forum : Mainstreaming gender in the development
process of the South West Region. This action saw the participation of all key
stakeholders and also strengthened our collaboration with both local and
administrative authorities.
Finally, we
usually submit letters of collaboration which are accepted by the authorities
concerned.
usually submit letters of collaboration which are accepted by the authorities
concerned.
