Author: youthprojectafrica

Since 2016, parts of Cameroon have been gripped by unrest since activists stepped up their campaign for independence for the minority English-speaking region from the majority French-speaking Cameroon. Hundreds have died, whole communities burnt down, thousands injured, hundreds of thousands internally or externally displaced, yet the world is silent. Over 60.000 live as refugees in horrible conditions in neighboring Nigeria. Over 160,000 live in the forest to escape deadly clashes between the military and the separatists.

 

Verschillende delen van Kameroen verkeren in grote onrust sinds 2016, toen Engelstalige minderheidsgroepen opstonden in hun campagne tegen de Franstalige meerderheid. Honderden mensen zijn gedood, hele dorpen zijn platgebrand, duizenden zijn gewond geraakt en honderdduizenden zijn op de vlucht geslagen, maar de wereld blijft er stil over. Meer dan 60.000 vluchtelingen leven onder erbarmelijke omstandigheden in buurland Nigeria. Meer dan 160,000 vluchtelingen leven in het regenwoud om aan dodelijke gevechten tussen het leger en de separatisten te onstnappen.

YPA is collecting the following items:

❖ Medications: First Aids, Neonatal, Vaccines, Antiseptics, Antibiotics, Antimalaria etc.…
❖ Food: Nonperishables, Rice, Cereals, Spaghetti, tomatoes, milk, sugar, salt etc.…
❖ Clothing and sleeping materials ( sleeping bags, tents)…Financial Support … SANITARY PADS

All materials and financial support received will be sent directly to the refugees through our volunteers and partners such as the AYAH FOUNDATION who are currently on the field. Regular updates will be published on our website.

Items can be brought to:

Youth Project Africa
Turnhoutsebaan 255/3
Borgerhout/Antwerpen 2140,
Belgium
+32 465 504109
Please call or text before coming.
We can also pick the items from you

 

 

 

– The African Perspectives on Trans-Mediterranean Migration – 

To view the campaign, click here: YPA-CAMPAIGN

On a visit to Cameroon during the Christmas Holidays I asked some of my Cameroonian nephews and nieces, aged between 9 and 14, to show me the position of Cameroon on the world map. To my surprise, none of them could do this. They also struggled to name even one neighbouring country (Cameroon has 6 to choose from; Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea). Unfortunately and without generalizing, this is the case for most children and even (young) adults that I met during my recent trips to Cameroon. They have no clue of their position in the world, let alone they know how the situation in their country is compared to the situations in other parts of the world. They live their lives with the strong belief that the best thing that can happen to them is to travel out of their own country. They simply do not understand that even if they go to Europe and make more money, their monthly costs and responsibilities will also increase proportionally.

But can we really blame them? I don’t think so. Every person is looking for happiness and a better life after all. What many, especially young Africans do not realise is that for most of them, the best life is in Africa. Nowadays almost every young Cameroonian has a smartphone with internet, but when you inquire about the things they use it for, no one will tell you they use it to study, read or do research.

I see it as my personal mission to educate these young people about the world. To teach them how to investigate news and information that people tell them and most importantly to inspire them to become critical citizens of their countries. I also believe that this goal can be achieved with rapidity and certainty. Not by simply sending children to schools that teach definitions only, but by teaching them how to think independently and showing them how to take charge of their own lives. We have to teach youths that to achieve anything in life, it is in their hands, and not in the hands of their government, their family, or the government of a developed country. We need to teach young Cameroonians and Africans how to make use of the possibilities, opportunities and potentials they already have. And they can start right where they are. They do not have to go to Europe to realise their dreams. Until we do this, migration can never be stopped or controlled because of wrong expectations. Especially not by putting soldiers with guns at the border.

Florine van Meer (florinevanmeer@youthprojectafrica.org)

 

 

On June 25th, 2017, Youth Project Africa organized a charity football match in Buea, the regional capital of the south west province, Cameroon. The purpose of the match was to mobilize support and solidarity for the less privileged youths and other vulnerable populations in the area. The event which ended with a three hour working session, brought together hundreds of participants and well-wishers to commemorate the kick-start of YPA activities in Cameroon. In attendance also was the Executive Director of the group and representatives of the Government. Mr Eta A. Constant, the Project Director of Cameroon, chaired the working session that also saw a number of projects selected for immediate implementation.

 

 

Youth Project Africa will soon start a project to support orphans. More information will follow shortly. Till then.. Enjoy watching this picture of these beautiful girls that are soon to receive help from YPA!

Also have a look at this video:

Today 31 students took part in a brainstorming session to share their ideas and build action plans on the project to improve the well-being and literacy of orphans in the region. The meeting was coordinated by YPA regional coordinator Mr. Joanes Eyong. Several projects have come out and we will inform you about this shortly.