1999 - 2000: Established an agricultural cooperative

In this first project, WEH purchased improved corn seeds and improved cassava cuttings from the Institute of Agricultural Research in Cameroon and gave them to 30 women and three men in Mangamba. We hoped that in working with WEH they would learn new agricultural methods and produce sufficient quantities to feed their families and sell commercially. We provided hoes, machetes, and files and taught them how to save by helping them to open collective savings accounts. They established their own organization, with a board and officers, and established their own rules for operation. In return they provided squash seeds for the collective farm and each member worked in the farm two days a week, in addition to working their own family plot. The project was successful in that they earned $1,000 collectively and divided it equally. 

In the second year, two more groups were spontaneously established in Mangamba. Groups opened in Kounang and Bwapaki. Other villages wanted to participate. We found that interest far exceeded WEH's means to support the cooperatives. We also learned that teaching savings and financial independence wasn't easy. Some members were inclined to take out what they had saved rather than to reinvest it. They assumed that WEH would again help them with up-front costs. When the cooperatives decided to go their own way, that project was tabled.

2002: AIDS Prevention

We received a grant from the Minister of Health to establish local committees in twenty different villages to fight against AIDS. During our AIDS/HIV Education Campaign we provided three days of explicit teaching (including condom use demonstrations) in each village. We raised awareness of where lovers meet so villages could be watchful, and hung posters to remind people that brother AIDS is lurking. Again, each village established its own organization. We helped village committees legalize and connected them to the HIV/AIDS prevention program at the Ministry of Health. Their efforts continued for several years until funding was terminated.   

2006: responded to an appeal by the Ministry of Health for applications to work with orphans and vulnerable children.

WEH was one of a group of NGOs that were accepted to work with the government. With the award of this World Bank grant to the Cameroon government, our geographical responsibilities expanded to include Dibombari, Mbanga, Njombe, Penja and Muongo. In accordance with the terms of the grant, we first set out to identify AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children in these villages. In each village we contacted the appropriate chiefs, dignitaries, and community persons who knew the people. (These persons have continued to work with us.)  In this process, we identified over 700 children who qualified under program criteria. Unfortunately, only 340 children were accepted into the program. Later, with additional funding from CARE CAMEROON, we were able to add 140 children to our roster.

We reported regularly to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Affairs. When funding was no longer available for this program, we had to rely solely on benefactors.  Now we track the welfare and progress of nearly 600 children in the villages. Our social worker visits each child every few months and we provide tuition, uniforms, books, foods, and/or medications to the most needy as we are able. Local benefactors provide food, soap, office rental costs, supplies, and used clothing.  

2007: Friends of WEH Established

A group of American friends established the Friends of WEH in the United States to support our work. They purchased a truck and shipped it to WEH in Cameroon.

Recent donations to WEH:

2017 $11,170

2018 $11,820

Another partner, Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon USA, is the alma mater of Madame Titi Manyaka, our director. Linfield sent its fourth team of 15 nursing students to Cameroon in January, 2014, to conduct health assessments of children and offer treatment when possible.  

Sign for Women, Environment, and Health organization, 2009. The Friends of WEH supports WEH initiatives.