Fostering a sustainable standard of living in Southwest Cameroon through education, conservation, and economic empowerment.
Cameroon, in central Africa, possesses great natural beauty and numerous cultural attractions. Sometimes known as “Africa in miniature” because of its geographical and cultural diversity, Cameroon’s natural features include beaches, deserts, mountains, rainforests, and savannas; Cameroon is also home to over 200 linguistic and ethnic groups. The Southwest Province of Cameroon contributes to this geographical and cultural diversity, with a population of over 2 million people, with pilot projects in Kupe-Muanenguba Division with a population of 120,000 people in 110 villages, distributed over a surface area of 3404 kilometres. With an average population density of 30 inhabitants per Km, and an equatorial climate (average relative humidity 80%, average annual temperature 15-25 degrees centigrade, wet and dry seasons) the Southwest Province contributes many unique and captivating elements to Cameroon’s national identity.
While the people of Southwest Province enjoy significant cultural and geographical attributes, they also struggle with chronic hunger, poverty, and discriminatory inheritance customs. Infant mortality is high (218 children per 1000 die before the age of five, in contrast to 7 per 1000 in the U.S.) and women are often disenfranchised with regard to reproductive, land and inheritance rights. Food needs in the area are growing, while the capacity to provide for these needs has decreased. In recent years, new challenges have emerged, including a crumbling health system, growing rates of poverty and unemployment (48 percent of Cameroonians live below the poverty line, and 30 percent are unemployed), and a spike in the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, which reached an alarming 11% in 2004. In 2002, a United Nations Development report ranked Cameroon 135th out of 173 countries, with a human development index (HDI) of 0.512.
The Partners For Productivity Foundation (PFPF) was formed in January of 1998 to respond to the growing poverty and conservation challenges facing the Southwest Province of Cameroon. Based in Bangem, Kupe-Muanenguba Division, PFPF was created by the ministry of territorial administration (Internal affairs, via prefect oral order No 006/L/G.42/162/A1) and has a status equivalent to section 501© (3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
Today, PFPF works with rural communities to collaboratively envision and implement sustainable, innovative solutions to problems identified by Southwest Province community members. And, in partnership with iLEAP, the Center For Critical Service, PFPF is extending its grassroots program work into the global community, through an international network of scholars and practitioners committed to fostering sustainability worldwide.
PFPF’s mission is to develop the Southwest Province’s rural communities through collaborative education, thoughtful
advocacy, innovative natural resource conservation, careful science and effective management. By connecting local people to the knowledge, experiences and resources they need to create sustainable communities, PFPF functions as a force for positive social change. Working in partnership with others, PFPF supports the rural communities of Southwest Province in building their capacity to provide for themselves today, tomorrow, and well into the future.
While the people of Southwest Province enjoy significant cultural and geographical attributes, they also struggle with chronic hunger, poverty, and discriminatory inheritance customs. Infant mortality is high (218 children per 1000 die before the age of five, in contrast to 7 per 1000 in the U.S.) and women are often disenfranchised with regard to reproductive, land and inheritance rights. Food needs in the area are growing, while the capacity to provide for these needs has decreased. In recent years, new challenges have emerged, including a crumbling health system, growing rates of poverty and unemployment (48 percent of Cameroonians live below the poverty line, and 30 percent are unemployed), and a spike in the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, which reached an alarming 11% in 2004. In 2002, a United Nations Development report ranked Cameroon 135th out of 173 countries, with a human development index (HDI) of 0.512.
The Partners For Productivity Foundation (PFPF) was formed in January of 1998 to respond to the growing poverty and conservation challenges facing the Southwest Province of Cameroon. Based in Bangem, Kupe-Muanenguba Division, PFPF was created by the ministry of territorial administration (Internal affairs, via prefect oral order No 006/L/G.42/162/A1) and has a status equivalent to section 501© (3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
Today, PFPF works with rural communities to collaboratively envision and implement sustainable, innovative solutions to problems identified by Southwest Province community members. And, in partnership with iLEAP, the Center For Critical Service, PFPF is extending its grassroots program work into the global community, through an international network of scholars and practitioners committed to fostering sustainability worldwide.
PFPF’s mission is to develop the Southwest Province’s rural communities through collaborative education, thoughtful
advocacy, innovative natural resource conservation, careful science and effective management. By connecting local people to the knowledge, experiences and resources they need to create sustainable communities, PFPF functions as a force for positive social change. Working in partnership with others, PFPF supports the rural communities of Southwest Province in building their capacity to provide for themselves today, tomorrow, and well into the future.
PROGRAMS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS
In the Muanenguba – Bakossi forest eco region, 80 % of people gain their living by utilizing natural resources: these communities have some of the worst socio-economic indicators in Cameroon. Community Issues: low crop yields and droughts; remote communities; poor economic infrastructure, inadequate access to health care; underutilization of good soils; low literacy rates. PFPF Program Activities: Community-based forest management, food security, community development and appropriate technology initiatives.
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS
More than 1 million people in the Southwest Province live in rural communities and in absolute poverty. More than half the girls in these communities marry before the age of 18; many lack secure rights to land. Such rights confer direct economic benefits as a source of income, status, nutrition, and collateral for credit. Community Issues: higher rates of anaemia and malnourishment in young brides/infants; higher maternal/infant mortality; 45% of women have no say about personal health issues:70% of school-aged children not enrolled in school are young girls; land rights not secured, even for those with legal rights status. PFPF Program Activities: Strengthening women’s land and inheritance rights; community health initiatives (HIV/AIDS, malaria, etc); economic empowerment through integrated education and micro-credit programs.
TRAINING AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT CENTER (TRED-CENTER)
Upon completion, the TRED-Center will equip the people of Cameroon’s Southwest Province with the perspectives,
skills, and technical knowledge essential to envision and implement locally appropriate development activities. Through the creation of sustainable food production systems, the TRED-Center will train young Cameroonians to become effective farmers, responsible stewards, visionary community leaders and global citizens. In addition to agricultural and related value-added activities, the TRED-Center will provide guest lodging, conference services, a local resturant and catering, in order to provide students with management and public engagement opportunities.
skills, and technical knowledge essential to envision and implement locally appropriate development activities. Through the creation of sustainable food production systems, the TRED-Center will train young Cameroonians to become effective farmers, responsible stewards, visionary community leaders and global citizens. In addition to agricultural and related value-added activities, the TRED-Center will provide guest lodging, conference services, a local resturant and catering, in order to provide students with management and public engagement opportunities.
LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Volunteers are highly valued at PFPF! If you have an interest in helping we welcome your support. If you have questions
about volunteer opportunities please let us know your background and how you would like to help. PFPF provides accommodation to all volunteers, and we welcome people with a variety of skills and abilities. We also accept financial donations. In addition to our established programs, opportunities exist in landscape master planning (trail development, soil assessment) farm planning (cropping plots, livestock layouts, fish ponds designs)TRED- Center programming (Farm to Cafeteria, Food Preparation, Basic Education classes), marketing & public relations (Special events, Communications, Website), and fundraising/networking (Business and Corporate connections).
about volunteer opportunities please let us know your background and how you would like to help. PFPF provides accommodation to all volunteers, and we welcome people with a variety of skills and abilities. We also accept financial donations. In addition to our established programs, opportunities exist in landscape master planning (trail development, soil assessment) farm planning (cropping plots, livestock layouts, fish ponds designs)TRED- Center programming (Farm to Cafeteria, Food Preparation, Basic Education classes), marketing & public relations (Special events, Communications, Website), and fundraising/networking (Business and Corporate connections).
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