Our Year in Review- 2016

As we come to the close of 2016, Better Breed Cameroon’s team takes stock of the past year. 2016 was a ground breaking year in many ways. Our association finally received its legal registration number in the early months of this year. We experienced a growth in members, successfully met our target of holding a youth development project for every quarter of the year including our inaugural Campus Career Day and kept you al updated and informed via monthly blogposts!

This month’s post will share highlights of the year’s activities as well as tidbits of what you have to look forward to from BBCam team.

Sama Randy Youth Write Essay Contest- 2016

This was the first project of the year launched with in December 2015 with the deadline for submission of essays set for 31^st January 2016. The 2016 edition challenged respondents to answer the topic question: Can we entrepreneur our way out to a better Cameroon? Why and Why not?  We received a record high with thirty-six (36) entries which the three member jury whittled down to the best three (3) candidates. The winners were awarded prizes as follows:

With winners awarded in Buea and Bamenda. Read more here

1^st prize (100,000FCFA) – Thursie Abanjoh

2^nd prize (75,000FCFA) – Awanto Margaret

3^rd prize (50,000FCFA) – Mbah Angwah Furt

Read more about the Youth Essay competition HERE. Also note that we are currently receiving submissions for the 2017 edition of this contes

 

 

Campus Career Day

In partnership with the University of Buea, and with the partial sponsorship of MTN Cameroon, Better Breed Cameroon realized its 2^nd project of the year on 1^st April 2016. As per the press release was communicated on 23^rd February, the event was held to provide university students with an opportunity to receive pragmatic guidance on career prospects from young professional, potential employers and institution of further learning. Despite being an inaugural edition, the Campus Career Day had great organizational and participant turnout. Over 500 students were directly impacted by the event. The following opportunities arose in relation to this event:

 ACCA announced a reduction of course fees for University of Buea students.

 Bonie Fon of Bonaventures & Co pledged a million francs CFA to set up an investment club for the students of the University of Buea.

 Belle & Glam offered two gift vouchers to the top two student entrepreneurs.

 The United Bank for Africa, British High Commission and other panelist announced internship opportunities and shared contacts of professionals which students could use to find out more on questions they asked.

 Dr. Joyce Ashuntantang pledged to mentor three female students randomly selected from the registry as of June 2016 which she did.  See a report on her mentoring experience HERE: empower-me-program-with-dr-joyce-ashuntantang.

 

Web Empowerment Workshop

The first Web Empowerment Workshop ever held by Better Breed Cameroon was organized in Buea targeting students of institutions of higher learning in December 2015.  The 2016 edition took place in Bamenda on 23^rd July 2016. The project was launched on June 23^rd and the deadline for show of interest was 20^th July. 16 applications were received and 10 persons attended the event. It was an interactive workshop with participants receiving help creating LinkedIn Profiles, being introduced to blogging as a means of self- expression and marketing etc.

Better Breed Cameroon teamed up with young entrepreneurs like Cedric of Blogvisa.com, Etienne Ndagah of AfroTechnology and as always Churchill Mambe Nanje of Njorku.com

 

Better Hope Bursaries

As is tradition the last project of the year is the Better Hope Bursary launched towards the beginning of a new academic year. The bursary this year targeted schools that cater to students with disabilities. The following schools were suggested:

1. Buea School for the Deaf- Buea
2. Treasure Centre (school for children with Mental disabilities) Mendankwe- Bamenda
3. Morning Star School ( Students with hearing and speech impairments) – Bamenda
4. Ephata ( School for Children with hearing disabilities) – Kumba

Unfortunately due to the inability of our members to raise sufficient funds the association could visit only one school- Buea School for the Deaf. It was agreed that we will provide food/provisions to the schools we choose in order that it benefits the whole school and not just a single individual, particular considering that awarding bursaries based on academic excellence would be difficult given students’ disabilities.

What to look forward to in 2015?

Aside from our four main projects here is what you can expect from us in 2017

• We’re buying our own WordPress site new website! We plan to provide our readers and aspiring Better Breeders with more content, regularly updated opportunities for Cameroonians (scholarships, conferences, trainings, calls for submissions etc. which Cameroonians are eligible for), resources for being more informed/conscious citizens and spotlighting ordinary young heroes and heroines who exemplify the Better Breed creed to ‘Be the change you want to see’.
• We’re launching operation 1000 members! Better Breed Cameroon aspires to remain self-funded by its members, keeping to its vision of Cameroonians saving themselves and illustrating the power of African youth philanthropy. By making a call for more members we hope build a large enough network to sustain our activities without any foreign support. Email us for more information at betterbreed@gmail.com
• More teaming up with other social development ventures
• More content on our Youtube Channel! In the meantime, checkout what’s there already and subscribe!

 

Thanks for believing in our vision of a Better Breed and a Better Cameroon!