For the past two year, we have been discussing this project. It was very difficult and frustrating at the beginning because making phone calls from the UK to Cameroon were not a fancy thing to do as it costed money which we did not have. However, since William's returned to Cameroon in August 2007, the project has finally seen some lights. We have been very busy, extremely busy since then and through our hard work, we have obtained our legal status: Registration No: 225/RDDA/C19/BAPP of the 7th of November 2007 and thanks to the collective work of the project team.

William Meli Has a B. Eng (Bachelor Engineering) with 2.1 grade from the University of Teesside, and many years work experience in the UK VCS (Voluntary and Community Sector) at strategic level since 2002.

Most members of the project team also have Bachelor Degrees and few are currently doing their reseach study at the University of Douala in variuos fields, including Geography, Economics, Law, nursing and Computing&Maths.

The project overall aims are to promote the effectiveness of community based project as a weapon for poverty reduction as set out in the Cameroon government "Poverty Reduction Strategic Paper 2005. Greener, Cleaner, and healthier environment for all, and to assist in building young people capacities so that together young people help Cameroon to grow sustainably.

We are very sorry that most articles on this section are in French, the English version will be available soon.

You can view some of the group activities by clicking on links.

What we have done so far

There was a football tournament organised on the 1/09/2007, which aimed to raise awarness of HIV, STI, Hepatitis B and Mental health among young people and promote friendship.

On the 27th, 28th, and 29th of September 2007 a three day SEMMINAR was organised at the Don Bosco Building in Yaounde. The training semminar was a result of a 4 months survey of smaller youth associations, which 90% of groups interview had leadership problem, did not know how to search for funding or write proposal for projects. The aim of the semminar was to build the capacity of group leaders so that they can appropriately account to their members.

In December 2007, GCY and Synergie officially welcome a new partner, The "Collectif d'Annimateur 30" of Gard, NIME France, sponsored by the French Ministry of Youth and Sport. The aim of the visit was to develop a partnership to deliver the "PQAS" Protocol de Qualification des Animateurs Sociaux. During their 2 weeks stay, we ran several activities together. The focus was on the GCY Environmental Health priority. We organised street cleaning, shool visits to educate children about the environment, a football competition and a meetings. At the end it was agreed that GCY would prepare the draft proposal for the PQAS and forward to the Collectif 30. The PQAS took place from August 2008 to December 2008. More information and photos will be available soon.

Perspectives for 2009

The "PQAS 2009 session" is now under preparation.

Future project also include the reinovation of a community clean water supply. The "Puits de la mort" of Bepanda has caused a cholera epidemic that claimed the life of hundreds in 2003. After our visit to the site, we have plans to secure the hole, canalised all household contaminated used water so that it do not communicate with the main drinking water hole. Thousand of children are currently using this water and there is a fear of another epidemic.

We are also planing to improve reach of ICT in the Bangang "Tele Centre Communautaire". This village centre currently have 2 computers with internet access that serve more than 5000 pupils and students in the village. There are only 5 such centre in the whole country.