You may have heard of child sponsorship but do you know exactly what it is?
Child sponsorship is a type of humanitarian program through which an individual or organization (the sponsor) provides financial and emotional support to a child in a precarious situation. This sponsorship aims to improve the child’s living conditions, often in areas such as education, health, and nutrition. A child sponsorship program focused on improving access to education is particularly relevant in the Adamawa, North, and Far North regions of Cameroon, where educational challenges are significant, including:
- Lack of educational infrastructure: Many schools lack essential resources, adequate infrastructure, and school materials, which hinders learning and schooling.
- school dropout: approximately 30% of children drop out of school before reaching secondary level, often due to economic constraints or lack of support;
- Limited access to education for vulnerable populations: Children from poor families struggle to access education due to school fees, lack of transportation, and the need to contribute to family income.
A more integrated program that also addresses nutrition and health challenges would be an ideal approach to improving the children’s quality of life. However, given our current technical resources, we have decided to focus our efforts on education, a fundamental pillar of sustainable development. This strategic focus allows us to maximize the impact of our actions by addressing immediate educational needs, while laying the foundation for future expansion into other essential areas.