Empowering Minds, Cultivating Resilience

In the prevailing socio-political crisis within the Southwest region of Cameroon, lives, livelihoods, and the societal fabric have been profoundly disrupted. This tumultuous backdrop highlights the paramount importance of endowing and equipping adolescents with indispensable life skills. A collaborative endeavor spearheaded by Caritas Kumba and UNICEF has brought hope upon the Mile 20 community in the Kupe-Manenguba division through an initiative aimed at empowering adolescents. Merging teaching on financial literacy with trainings in the art of baking, the program furnished 64 youths with the tools requisite for cultivating self-reliance and resilience amidst adversities.

Concurrently, a concise yet impactful session on child protection risks was imparted to 50 community members of the community, sensitizing them on mitigation strategies and the need to establish a secure environment for the community’s children. Techniques for positive parenting were disseminated to encourage healthier familial dynamics. Moreover, awareness sessions were conducted on pertinent issues such as poverty alleviation and the prevention of sexual exploitation, accompanied by the provision of a hotline for reporting concerns. The impact of the crisis had given rise to a surge in protection violations, encompassing child labor, neglect, and sexual and gender-based violence. Interventions such as community sensitization, educating parents on mitigating abuse, and implementing reporting mechanisms presents an opportunity to restore hope and future for children affected by the crisis in Mile 20 and communities close by.

In line with the financial literacy training to the youths to facilitate informed decision making, imperative for their self-reliance, the introduction of baking skills positioned them to view it as a viable avenue for income generation and self-employment. The establishment of homemade snacks and treats can pave the way for self-sufficiency, a crucial aspect for navigating through the impact of the crises. According to Miranda ‘I now understand the meaning of doing business and sustainability’, Ekolle added that ‘this training will enable me to be more responsible in managing everything I have’. Responding to the activities the community members expressed satisfaction to Caritas Kumba and UNICEF efforts in supporting their community towards resilience.

In essence, this initiative has sowed seeds of optimism and transformation within Mile 20 through the investment in human capital dedicated to youth empowerment. Furnishing young minds with realistic life skills fortifies resilience, enabling them to reclaim control over their lives even in the most challenging of circumstances. The positive reception from the community and the participants’ resounding response underlined the essential value of such interventions in nurturing individual and collective self-reliance, imperative for weathering adversities.