Since the organization was established in 1987, the Friends of Cameroon has funded more than two dozen village-based development projects in Cameroon, valued at more than $30,000. Projects have been located throughout the provinces of Cameroon, and have included a foot bridge in Kumba in the South West, a safe for Maga Health Clinic in the Extreme North, a beekeeping project in Njinikom in the North West, and a school for the deaf in Yaounde. Projects typically are in the health, education, and community development sectors.
The most recent projects funded were four community-based development projects worth 1.589.670 CFA ($3,117) FCFA, were located in Makak in the Center, Mvangan in the South, Batouri in the East, and in Yagoua, Extreme North Provinces, and focused on HIV/AIDS education and outreach. The projects were selected for the various methods proposed to reach out to local communities and educate the populations about the dangers of HIV/AIDS and how to protect against the deadly disease. The proposals were submitted by local organizations working in concert with Peace Corps Volunteers assigned to the areas.
FOC projects have included:
FOC support of $621 to the Club des Jeunes Aveugles Rehabilites du Cameroon helped the group, made upof blind and vision-impaired persons, expand their poultry business in Yaounde with the purchase of a freezer for their store.
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In 2004, FOC funded the purchase of a cassava grinder for the Neyokoty Ariey Cooperative in the Acha Etemetek village. The grinder, purchased for $820, helped the village group to expand its business while making the grinding of cassava more easily availableto the local community.
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One of FOC’s earliest projects was the construction of a footbridge crossing the Kumba River, easing the travel of villagers to the main market in Kumba. FOC contributed $1000 towards the construction of the bridge.
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In the Eastern Province, FOC support of $1,000 helped to purchase a mixed gas and electric refrigerator for the health clinic in Sokamalam, shown with the health center chief Nguel Isiclure. The fridge is used to store vaccines and allow the clinic to reach more people. The project was guided by PCV Jennifer Goldman.
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FOC supported the “Modern Beekeeping Project” of the Boyui Young Farmer’s Club in the North West, which allowed them to purchase needed equipment to improve their hives (such as the one under the arrow) and expand their honey production and group income.
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FOC project requirements
In order to be eligible for FOC funding, the applicant must live in Cameroon, be Cameroonian and/or working in Cameroon with either a private, non-profit organization, a cooperative or registered non-profit, or a village-based organization for by villagers for a communal purpose. The majority of the members of the applicant organization or the majority of the beneficiaries must be Cameroon citizens. It is required that the applicant is planning to provide, in cash or in kind, a minimum of one-fourth of the total cost of materials and/or labor of the project(s) supported by FOC funds.
The Friends of Cameroon was established in the United States in 1987, and the group’s members include persons who worked and lived in Cameroon as Peace Corps Volunteers, staff of the U.S. Embassy, USAID, and missionaries. The primary function of the organization is to keep members informed about Cameroon, continue to link those who served there, and to support small, community development projects in the country.
FOC provides funding for a variety of small, grass-roots projects in Cameroon, allowing members to continue to make a positive contribution to Cameroonian development. 
Methods of Contributions
FOC has provided assistance to various organizations through a variety of mechanisms. Often, FOC collaborates with Peace Corps Volunteers currently working in Cameroon to identify and support viable grassroots projects. Sometimes FOC provides funding directly to the organizations with the Volunteer as the local contact person. The Peace Corps Partnership program has proven to be a useful way to funnel assistance to projects in Cameroon, particularly when the total amount requested is large. By combining resources with those of other returned Volunteer groups and other community groups in the U.S., FOC can make a contribution that might otherwise be fiscally impossible. In the past, FOC has collaborated with RPCV groups in Madison, Wisconsin and Washington, DC, as well as in Western Montana. Discussions are under-way for possible future collaborations with RPCVs for Environment and Development. Continue reading ‘Development Projects’
Several FOC members are working on projects in Cameroon and have requested the assistance of FOC and its membership in making them a success. Project descriptions and contact information are provided below. Get in touch with the organizers if you can help. If you or another member is working on a project, please let us know!
Friends of Cameroon To Fund Four Community Projects
On June 4, 2006, the United States-based organization, the Friends of Cameroon, announced approval of four community-based development projects in Cameroon. The projects, worth 1.589.670 CFA ($3,117) funding, are located in the Center, South, East, and Extreme North Provinces, and focus on HIV/AIDS education and outreach
The projects were selected for the various methods proposed to reach out to local communities and educate the populations about the dangers of HIV/AIDS and how to protect against the deadly disease. The proposals were submitted by local organizations working in concert with Peace Corps Volunteers assigned to the areas. The projects are:
1. Healthcare Worker HIV/AIDS Workshops
Provincial Hospital, Yagoua, Extreme North Province
2. Association for the Development of Youth (ASDA)
Batouri, East Province
3. Youth Development Foundation
Makak, Center Province
4. Volunteer Counsling and Testing Center
District Hospital, Mvangan, South Province
In previous years, the Friends of Cameroon has funded more than two dozen projects, valued at more than 11 million FCFA. Projects have been located in most provinces of Cameroon and have included a footbridge in Kumba in the South West, a safe for Maga Health Clinic in the Extreme North, a beekeeping project in Njinikom in the North West, and a school for the deaf in Yaounde. Projects typically are in the health, education, and community development sectors.
“The Friends of Cameroon allows its members to stay in touch with Cameroon and the many friends that we made during our time in Cameroon,†said FOC President Bill Strassberger. “We are excited to be able to continue to support development activities in Cameroon by supporting community-based projects such as the four we recently selected.â€
The Friends of Cameroon was established in the United States in 1987, and members of the group include persons who worked and lived in Cameroon as Peace Corps Volunteers, staff of the U.S. Embassy, USAID, and missionaries. The primary function of the organization is to keep members informed about Cameroon, continue to link those who served there, and to support small, community development projects in the country. Additional information about the organization and how to apply for project funding can be found on this site.
Friends of Cameroon president Bill Strassberger presents FOC funds to PCV Justin Fugo in Yaounde for an HIV/AIDS education project organized by the Youth Development Foundation in the village of Makak in the Centre Province as acting Peace Corps/Cameroon director Kim Ahanda looks on.