My Journey

I come from Baba II village, North West region (NWR) Cameroon, live and work in the city of Bamenda. Born in a low income family, in a local rural community on the out sketch of the city of Bamenda, my mother has been a widow for 34 years struggling to support us single handedly since the day she became a widow. The big challenge I face now stems from the fact that with a disability, am living in a country whose labor policies are disability unfriendly and opportunities for self employment are very difficult though possible.

Just like me, Cameroonian women with disabilities face three-fold discrimination as a result of their disability, perceived inability and Low socio-economic status. They equally faced both physical and attitudinal barriers. Live in poverty and lack opportunities for gaining an education, finding employment and forming meaningful social ties. This situation is further aggravated by cultural barriers that relegate these women with disabilities to the background with limited implementation of policies in Cameroon. As a woman with, am challenged because less than 1% of women with disabilities have been educated, I have the opportunity to be empowered, I like to contribute my expatriate and the knowledge I will gain from this World Pulse to improve on the lives of more sisters with disabilities.

I am a volunteer Program Officer at the coordinating Unit of Associations of Persons with Disabilities (CUAPWD), Bamenda Cameroon, and founder of Community Association for Vulnerable Persons (CAVP) Baba II, Santa Subdivision North West region Cameroon. Run a small income generating activity as an alternative source of funding for daily up keep. I will do more needs assessment exercises, empowerment workshops, continues sensitization, educative talks and awareness raising on the media and in communities, groups and families of persons with disabilities. I will carry out community outreach activities to contribute for the improvement of livelihood for women/girl with disabilities, victims of sexual abuse and gender based violence.

I gain support from CUAPWD, grassroots self-help groups of my target population and Empower Women through frequent online discussions and empowerment webinars. I will need technical support, improved knowledge on project management, monitoring and evaluation, networking, partnering with international organizations and sourcing for funding. I commit myself to spend at least 21 hours on the internet weekly and being available to fully participate in the training. A woman with a disability, highly motivated, committed and a strong advocate for the rights of WWD.