In October 2022, Action Lab For Development partnered with the German organization, Engagement Global gGmbH, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development(BMZ). The project focused on supporting cultural minorities in Cameroonian crisis regions through entrepreneurship, with a focus of women empowerment.
Learning-cum-discussion groups were organized for twenty-five trainees selected and admitted to the project based on the criteria of willingness, interest and commitment in agricultural and entrepreneurship development, ability to do manual labour, capability of speaking English, etc. Program staff organized trainees into groups and discussion sessions, analyzed impact,completed a follow-up analysis, and engaged in fundraising activities. Topics discussed in each session included start up farming, hairdressing and aesthetics, tailoring, and commerce. Additionally, some sessions focused on the protection of the people in the North-West and South-West crisis regions of Cameroon. From these sessions, trainees were asked to suggest an entrepreneurial idea, and a winning idea was supported monetarily.
The project started with an online search for German students ready to engage in entrepreneurial and charitable work. The program took place in Douala, Cameroon, with the support of two selected German students. The selected students were Keyu Liu and Carlotta Bon. Keyu Liu arrived in Cameroon first on 5th August 2023 and Carlotta joined later, first completing an internship with the German Development Agency (GIZ). ActLab team Prince Benard, Titus and Ebenezer, welcomed Keyu at the Douala airport with roasted fish and beers from the neighborhood. Keyu studied electrical engineering and robotics, with an interest in philosophy for the ethical development of robots with consideration of humans. Upon Carlotta’s arrival, the ActLab team continued with office work and community outreach while preparing for the workshops and classes. Keyu and Carlotta presented workshops to engineering students of the St. Louis University Institute Douala and Bonaberi campuses for two days. Carlotta presented on Health Economics, and Keyu on Robotics.
ActLab contributed over $1,000 to the initiative, and with Carlotta’s introduction, GIZ graciously sponsored a workshop with more than $3,000 in support. The event was covered by My Media Prime, a television station in Douala and broadcasted over the television. At the workshop, Mme Ignes of GIZ taught the participants about citizenship participation, which is part of the German government’s support of Cameroon towards decentralisation. Tfurndabi Cornelius taught entrepreneurship and IT, Atingi team taught on digital inclusion, and Carlotta Bonn taught design thinking. The workshops were held at Alvi Hotel Douala.
The results of the project saw an increase in the number of self-employment initiatives,throughout micro, small and medium enterprises and including sectors like agro-business, primary production transformation, transport, new technologies related business, internet, mobile phone retailers/dealer, carpenters, tailors, and hostelry. ASA participants highlighted to trainees the equality of opportunities regardless of gender, age, ethnic origin, or religious belief. Equal opportunity employment initiatives were created and strengthened in youth and women groups.The outcomes demonstrated sustainability and promotion of equality, with a lasting impact.