Future in our hands
international network

CAMEROON PARTNERS

STRATEGIC HUMANITARIAN SERVICES

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
STRATEGIC HUMANITARIAN SERVICES (SHUMAS), a Cameroonian Development NGO, after working on her own for sometime, started sorting out possible networking and collaboration with northern NGOs who shared common objectives and methods of approach to development. Between 1997 and 1999, the General Co-ordinator of SHUMAS, Stephen Ndzerem and the President of Plant a Tree in Africa/Co-ordinator of Future in Our Hands UK, Mike Thomas, were involved in some intensive correspondence.
One of the issues they discussed was how to seek a sustainable solution to the adverse effects of eucalyptus plantations on water sources and farming areas. Women were the principal victims.
SHUMAS, like many NGOs, was continuously worried, as many groups still remained beggars and dependent on external sources notwithstanding the efforts invested.

Since then SHUMAS has established partnerships with AidCamps International and Building Schools for Africa both of which have resulted in a comprehensive school building programme involving a partnership between local communities and the schools' parent teacher associations.

Another inspirational development has been the establishement of an Organic Farming Training Centre in the NW Region near Kumbo.

A partnership with Spreading Health [Founded by Dr Peter Hearn] is facilitating primary health care training for people in the rural areas. The current project is working with SHUMAS to sponsor local village candidates to train for three years at the St Louis Higher Institute of Health & Biomedical Sciences in Bamenda (the capital of NW Cameroon).

Strategic Humanitarian Services, PO Box 5047, Nkwen-Bamenda, NW Province,
Cameroon, Central Africa. EMail: bs_njodzeka@yahoo.com
SHUMAS WEB SITE

FUTURE IN OUR HANDS CAMEROON WOMENS CO-OPERATIVE NETWORK

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The FIOH Cameroon Womens Co-operative Network came about as a result of talks given by Mike Thomas to 3 womens groups in 1999 about savings and credit schemes. Since then SHUMAS has introduced the idea to many womens groups in the NW and N provinces. SHUMAS now helps to support and build the capacity of, the many co-operatives which have joined the Network.

CAMEROON GENDER AND ENVIRONMENT WATCH (CAMGEW)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Cameroon Gender and Environment Watch (CAMGEW) is a not-for-profit organization created in October 2007 with authorisation number N° 000998/RDA/JO6/BAPP to look for a solution to environmental and women's problems in Cameroon. CAMGEW works locally and thinks globally, integrating gender in solving environmental problems in Cameroon. CAMGEW believes that the future of our mother planet-earth is in the hands of men and women, young and old and also that this planet can be sustained by putting social and environmental justice at the centre of development.
CAMGEW believes that solutions to the numerous environmental and gender problems encountered in the world at large can only come through concerted action from all concerned persons and citizen organisations working together.
Considering that the Millennium Development Goals adopted by the 55th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations places environment and gender issues amongst important international concerns, CAMGEW seeks to serve as a means to fill any gaps in Cameroon towards the realisation of these cherished goals of protecting the environment and enhancing gender equality.

Considering that environment and gender issues are problems that exists worldwide and requires global or local solutions, CAMGEW looks for solutions to environmental and gender problems at the local level. CAMDEW seeks to achieve its objectives based on its credo of Think Globally and Act Locally by liaising with other like-minded organisations worldwide. CAMGEW therefore resolves to function according to its core values of honesty, engagement and dedication in total respect of its constitution.

CAMGEW has the following vision, mission and objectives:

VISION:
Enhance gender balance and promote creative, adoptive and innovative approaches for sustainable development.

MISSION:
Fight poverty; promote sound environmental management, gender balance and economic sustainable development.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Promote cultural conservation practices which are sustainable;
2. Promote gender balance and women empowerment and emancipation from her drudgeries;
3. Promote affordable, reliable and accessible modern energy technology which is sustainable, efficient, effective and possibly renewable to be at the reach of women to reduce their sufferings;
4. Promote the participation of women in decision making processes and enhance accountability and transparency in the society in all domains;
5. Promote the availability of food, potable water, shelter and education for women, their children and families;
6. Provide and seek for sources of livelihood for women and their children;
7. Conduct research, training and advocacy on identified environment and gender problems.
8. Encourage agricultural, economic, cultural and social diversification.

CAMGEW operates nationwide. To achieve these objectives, it works in partnership with all stakeholders to share skills, knowledge and experience for sustainable development that will help to make the world a better place.