Cameroon

The women of Cameroon face serious challenges directly related to poverty and geographical location.  The severe lack of access to education, especially for women in rural areas, has kept poverty rates high.  In 2007, only 50.5% of girls in the corresponding age group completed primary school (most current statistics available). These women are forced to discontinue their education at a young age due to poverty-related factors.  They are not only subject to a continued life of poverty, but also suffer from AIDS, prostitution, violence, poor hygiene, and early pregnancy, which have high risks of ending in maternal death.  

Resolving to help women out of this situation, Foundation SCA has partnered with the Association pour la Promotion de la Femme (APF) by supporting one of APF’s initiatives in Yaoundé, Cameroon: Sorawell Professional Training Center for Women.

Sorawell Professional Training Center: VIDEO

Program Title: Sorawell Professional Training Center for Women

Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon

Requested NGO and Partner:
Association pour la Promotion de la Femme (APF)
Sorawell Professional Training Center for Women

Program Summary:

Foundation SCA supports Sorawell's unique and successful program that directly addresses the problems surrounding young women's lack of access to education and employment.  Since 2004, Sorawell has reached over 900 lives a year through their three-year program for enrolled students, as well as short-term technical training classes and seminars for women in the surrounding areas.  In 2012, Sorawell hopes to reach over 1,000 women and girls through the expansion of its programs.

The three-year program has grown to accomodate 45 students. The curriculum for this program is broken into three main categories: general education, practical training, and business administration. General education includes: health and hygiene, nutrition, AIDS education, language, science, history, and writing and grammar. Practical training involves exercising skills in the culinary arts, international cuisine, menu preparation, and guest services.  Business administration includes classes in accounting, inventory, financial planning, business ethics, and management.

Foundation SCA and Sorawell are dedicated to enabling women to protect their own human dignity and reach a higher standard of living through hard work, education, and professional training. This program gives women the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and technical skills that will ultimately contribute to ending the cycle of poverty, and allow them to take the initiative towards leading an independent life, free from discrimination, abuse, and exploitation.

By giving these women the necessary tools of education and expertise we enable them to become productive self-governing citizens, with a understanding of their personal responsibility in the social, civic, political, economic, and moral decisions that shape their own lives. We empower them to reverse their plight—and that of generations to come—because of the multiplying effect that they have on their families and communities.

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