Where we do it > Cameroon

Facts & Figures Population: 18.4 million Capital city: Yaounde GDP per capita: $ 2,299 HDI ranking: 144 out of 177 countries * Life expectancy: 52

Country background

VSO Cameroon volunteers are working in the areas of Education, Participation and Governance and HIV and AIDS.

Education

Although school registration rose to 95% in 2001, only 56% of children complete their primary education. This is in part due to lack of skilled and motivated teachers that are able to teach classes that are relevant and inspire children to stay in school. Other causes are poor school management and little understanding amongst parents as to why education – particularly for girls – is important. Teacher trainers and education management volunteers are working to develop pre- and in-service training for teachers, improve the management of schools and local education offices, and undertake activities so that families are more aware of the importance of education and thus encourage their children to go to school. Other volunteers are supporting civil society organizations to advocate for Education for All.

Participation and Governance

Disadvantage is often due to poor participation of communities in development activities. VSO’s Participation and Governance volunteers are promoting participation in local decision making processes, focusing on girls, women and people living with HIV and AIDS. The strategy is to promote the voices of those disadvantaged people and support local councils to appropriately respond to those voices. The volunteers work with both civil society organizations and state agencies.

HIV and AIDS

In VSO Cameroon’s HIV and AIDS programme, volunteers are working with community based organizations to provide improved care and support services to people living with HIV and AIDS.