United Action for Children

Projects > Africa > Cameroon

Introduction

UAC is a caring organization for children and youths. Our main goal is to provide affordable alternative, yet quality education to the children and disadvantaged youths of Buea, Cameroon.

We realized that children who are voiceless and vulnerable suffered from abuse and neglect, labor, sexual harassment, and exploitation. To stop this there was a need for a group that could help develop a caring society for the children as well as providing help where necessary before it was too late. The organization began in 1996 and currently has several projects which are run with the help of volunteers.

Project Director:

The director, Mr Orock Thomas Eyong, is a trained counsellor. He realized that guidance counsellors trained by the government were only being sent to government institutions. Thus he asked what became of the other children who didn't attend these institutions. Along with some friends, he came up with a group that would not only provide counselling to other school children and those not attending government institutions, but also other programs that could help improve their well being and equip them with the necessary skills that could enable them to integrate quickly into society.

United Action for Children started its volunteer program in 2001. Since then the director's house has been open to volunteers from Europe, the US, Korea and other parts of the world who come to help the children and youths find their way into the world.

Who do we need?

Volunteers of either sex with experience in any of the following skills:

teaching
woodwork
computer maintenance
painting
community work
fundraising
project management.

What will you be expected to do?

According to your interests, you can help out in the nursery school, assist in the various vocational programmes being offered, paint murals, help with administrative work or get involved in fundraising both locally and internationally.

Environment:

United Action for Children (UAC) is located in Buea, 45 minutes drive away from Douala International Airport. This picturesque town is situated at the foot of Mount Cameroon and is well known as a tourist spot both because of the mountain and its old German relics. Thirty minutes drive brings one to the sea town of Limbe where volunteers can always go to swim, visit the zoo and botannic gardens among other things.

Buea is a very safe and peaceful town with both languages - English and French spoken. It is situated in the English speaking part of Cameroon. There are two seasons - the dry and wet season. The dry season starts from November to May while the wet season starts from June to October. Buea is reputed to have the best climate in Cameroon. Internet is easily accessible, as are telephone facilities.

The Programme:

Woodwork & Painting Programme:
This programme was established for young people at risk. UAC provides counselling and teaches them how to set up and manage business. The youngsters are trained in how to make chairs, tables, cupboards, educational puzzles, candle Stands and how to paint. Currently there are 8 students who are trained at a time. Because of limited space, the centre is unable to host more youngsters who are scrambling to enter. In the future, the centre intends to introduce woodcarving, mechanics, stone carving skills, animal rearing, sewing, gardening and agriculture.

Computer Training:
A computer training centre has also been established by UAC to provide information communication technology to young people, thus empowering them to face the realities of life. Not only young people are interested though. We have a lot of interested adults wanting to take the classes! This is also run by local staff and volunteers.

HIV / AIDS Education:
UAC has also set up an HIV / AIDS education unit to provide counselling and sex education to school-going and out of school youths. UAC works in collaboration with schools. It is run by local staff and international volunteers.

Disability Project:
UAC in collaboration with Stichting Liliane Fonds, has a special programme for home-based handicapped children. Under this, a mediator identifies home-based handicapped children and in dialogue with the various families, the needs of the children are worked out then submitted to Liliane Fonds for funding. Liliane Fonds helps in the domain of medication, education and training as well as placement.

Nursery School:
This is open to children who are not able to attend regular ones due to high cost. It is staffed by eight local staff and occasional volunteers. It has an enrolment of 190 with roughly 25 per class. There are six nursery classes and two primary classes.

Facilities:
UAC has constructed a nice playground, playroom and a video shade. It also has a remedial reading programme which is open to young people with reading difficulties.

Accomodation and Food Costs:

Under 1 month	US $300
1 month	US $350
2 months	US $550
Subsequent months	+ $150 / month

Volunteers will take their food at the directors house daily. You will be accommodated in rental accomodation. The cost of the rental accommodation is included in the price above.

Volunteer vacancies:

Six volunteers at any one time
Temporarily not receiving bookings as of June 08).

Volunteer assisting in the nursery

Nursery school kids - Cameroon

United Action for Children, Buea

Nursery school mural

Woodwork training - Cameroon

Computer training Cameroon

Volunteers assist with nursery school - Cameroon

Cameroon youngsters

About Cameroon

In addition to its French and British colonial past, there are over 130 ethnic groups in the country speaking dozens of languages. Islam and Christianity compete for souls, as do an array of traditional animist beliefs. Cameroon has its problems and can be a challenge, but it's worth it.

Visa Requirements:

It is possible to obtain a visa for three or six months. If one obtains a three month visa, it can be renewed once. This means that six months is the maximum period. We have been renewing many three months visas for our volunteers who want to extend their stay. After six months, it is only possible to ask for a residence permit. For a volunteer to obtain a visa to come to our project, he or she must need an invitation letter from us. We can fax this through on request once you are ready to start processing your visa.

Volunteers should also make the necessary arrngements with regards to vaccinations. Compulsory vaccinations are yellow fever.

* Read previous volunteers experiences at UAC here