When we first started partnering with this group in Cameroon in 2010, they were planning and working on providing basic education in rural areas of the country, where poverty was endemic and literacy was a luxury.
Their work was enthusiastically welcomed in local communities and has grown rapidly. Our partners were also pioneers in providing education for orphans as well as providing holistic support for families, from cooking utensils to basic health care.
Then violence erupted (and continues) between different language groups in the region and this NGO found themselves sourcing and providing relief for the thousands of internally displaced people, mostly women and children.
Our partner NGO continues to expand their work, including vocational training for those who graduate from their schools – this includes options such as fish or chicken farming, well-digging and carpentry.
Crossroads has been privileged to support this work over the years and we are now preparing a fourth shipment to the group, to include more educational supplies and furniture as well as basic items for the ongoing work with displaced people.
There the mats were distributed among family groups like this one, who live in makeshift shelters like the one below.
Mary (not her real name) was left with nothing after her home and village were burnt down in escalating violence in the primarily English-speaking area of the country. Despite having no money and being mobility-impaired, she somehow managed to reach a regional centre where our partner group was able to provide her with clothes, basic household supplies and encouragement that allowed her to start rebuilding her life. As well as educational supplies, our upcoming shipment will include clothing and household necessities to help many others like Mary.
