Cameroon

Our plan in Cameroon

Plan is working at the grassroots level in Cameroon to empower communities to bring real and lasting change, so that children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Plan has worked in Cameroon (population 18 million) in central Africa since 1996, and currently has programs in over 350 communities which aim to address the following issues affecting children:

• High rates of infant, child and maternal morbidity and mortality
• Limited access to quality primary school education and vocational training
• Income insecurity for rural families
• Underdeveloped relationships/partnerships amongst the development stakeholders
• Poor awareness of children’s rights in program areas

Plan’s programs and strategies to address these issues include:

Child survival and early development

Health care for children (aged five years and under) such as malaria, malnutrition, pneumonia, diarrhea and vaccine-preventable illnesses are the focus of this program. Early childhood stimulation for babies; supporting community-run pre-schools in rural areas; birth registration; and promoting behavior change in hygiene and sanitation are also addressed by this program. Plan is also supporting the Cameroon Government in its approach to childhood illness.

Childhood development

This program focuses on children’s development aged 6 to 12 years targeting primary school education including classroom construction and renovation, life skills development, good hygiene behavior and promotion of child participation in community development. Enrolment of children in primary education is very low in rural Cameroon and those that do attend, only 56 per cent complete their primary education a Plan survey revealed. Through this program, Plan supports the Cameroon Government to carry out effective and regular supervision of schools and teacher training.

Towards a productive adulthood

Young people aged 13 years and older living in rural areas are given the opportunity to gain life skills and vocational training for a balanced and productive life. The program also promotes youth participation in community development and decision-making processes and HIV/AIDS prevention.

Sustainable rural livelihoods

Food security and family income through sustainable agriculture and non-agricultural income generation activities and access to finance services for small-scale business development is the focus of this program.

Building relationships

Plan Cameroon helps support community-based groups and other local organisations to develop relationships and partnerships to better mobilise limited development resources. Sponsorship communications are facilitated through this program.

Baka/pygmy rights and dignity

The Baka pygmies who have traditionally lived in the forests as hunters and gathers are slowly integrating into mainstream Cameroonian society. Plan is helping the Baka to gain recognition and nationality as well as access education, modern health care, learn improved hygiene practices and agriculture. The program aims to build self-esteem as the Baka deal with the challenges of integrating with the rest of society.

Country Facts

Country	Cameroon	Australia
Flag
Population	13.1 Million	19.9 Million
Language	French and English	English
Capital	Yaounde	Canberra
GDP per capita (USD/year)	897	$29,000
Life expectancy	45.7	80.3
Access to safe drinking water	66%	100%
Literacy	67.9%	100%
Source:	United Nations: Millennium Development Goals Report 2006