About Us – Garizim Foundation

Garizim Foundation is a Christian organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities to children in need.

We focus on underprivileged youth in northern Cameroon, where underdevelopment, poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and sociocultural factors hinder their ability to achieve their dreams. Our programs and activities act as catalysts, helping these communities reach their goals and fulfill their potential. Discover our impact and join us in creating positive change.

Our vision is a world where people work hand in hand to provide all young people and children with the opportunities they need to reach their full potential.

Childhood and youth are key stages in the development of any individual. It is during these phases that the right opportunities must be provided to build future adults capable of taking care of themselves and contributing effectively to society. However, not all children and young people are born into the same circumstances. While some can enjoy the best opportunities and privileges, others struggle to afford even the most basic needs and rights.

Our mission is to educate, train, and equip underprivileged children and youth to become responsible, independent citizens and valuable contributors to society, reaching their full potential.

Through our comprehensive programs, we strive to break the cycle of poverty and provide the tools and resources necessary for personal and professional growth. By fostering a supportive community and promoting volunteerism, we empower young people to overcome obstacles, embrace opportunities, and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

Our objectives are:

To contribute to the holistic education of underprivileged youth, ensuring they have access to quality learning opportunities that foster academic, personal, and social growth.
To improve the welfare of less privileged youth by addressing their basic needs, including health, nutrition, and emotional support, creating a nurturing environment for their development.
To promote volunteerism among youth, encouraging them to engage in community service, develop leadership skills, and become active participants in societal change.
To advocate for educational equity and mobilize resources and partnerships that support sustainable development and empowerment of young people.

How it All Started 

Garizim Foundation was born out of a simple yet powerful realization: education is a basic human right, but for many children in Northern Cameroon, it is still out.

In December 2017, Elvire WAFO, then a veterinary medicine student at the University of Ngaoundéré, was serving as a Sunday school teacher when she noticed a troubling pattern. Many children struggled to read their Bibles or participate in basic writing exercises, even though they were enrolled in school. Some were at risk of dropping out due to financial hardship, while others had already left school because their families prioritized survival over education.

As she looked beyond the church, she discovered an even starker reality—many children had never attended school at all. Coming from fully illiterate families, they lacked even the most basic learning opportunities. This realization sparked an idea: to provide literacy and refresher classes during school holidays, giving these children a second chance at learning.

Elvire shared her vision with close friends, including Bertrand BOBETO, Kevine NONO, Blessing WALBILA, and Armand FOKENG, who wholeheartedly embraced the mission. Together, they launched the first holiday literacy program, determined to make a difference.

What started as a small initiative soon revealed a greater need. As they worked with the children, they recognized that poverty and lack of educational access were deeply intertwined, and a more structured approach was necessary to create lasting change. They began meeting in their student hostels, brainstorming ways to expand their impact. From those humble beginnings, Garizim Foundation was born.

Why “Garizim”?

The name Garizim Foundation is inspired by Mount Gerizim, first mentioned in Deuteronomy 11:29 as a mountain of blessings. True to its name, Garizim Foundation strives to be a source of hope and opportunity for the children and youth of Northern Cameroon—empowering them through education, one step at a time.