Author Archives: denismikifoundation

Girl Child, He 4 She, Health, Her Voice Club, MenEngage, Partnerships, Women's Rights, Youth in the Picture

Denis Miki Foundation Officially Becomes A Member of the MenEngage Cameroon Chapter

Posted on by denismikifoundation
28
May

Having signed up as a global member of MenEngage in the last few months, it was considered much needed to accept the call to belong to the local chapter of the MenEngage Alliance. Denis Miki Foundation has as 2 representatives for the MenEngage Alliance Cameroon Chapter one member from the Her Voice Club to be represented by Nfomi Laura Berka who will accompany a staff at DMF for meetings.

The aim of the MenEngage Alliance is to raise awareness of the influence men have in ending gender-based violence and speaking out against all kinds of inequality. This meeting was held on the 25th of May 2019 in Buea and was represented by one member of several organization all over Cameroon some of which includes; Big Step Outreach Network, Mother of Hope, Community Center for Intergraded Development, Hope family Life, Vision in Action, Reach Out Cameroon, MINPROFF and others.

The program started at 8:45am with the arrival, registration and introduction of member organizations. Also talks on why engage men in gender equality and several reasons where given like they form an integral part of the society and can also contribute to end violence. The Criteria was shared as to how one could join the movement like signing their memorandum of association by implication accepting their terms and conditions. Some organizations where voted such as:

  1. MenEngage Cameroon Coordinator; Community Center For Intergraded Development
  2. Child Rights Constituency; Hope Family Life
  3. Women’s rights Constituency; Mother of Hope Cameroon
  4. Youth Constituency; Sustainable Women Organization.
  5. Key population Constituency; Vision in Action
  6. HIV/AIDS Constituency; Big-Step Outreach Network.

DMF signed the Memorandum of Understanding and officially became a member of the MenEngage Alliance Cameroon Chapter.

Governance, Internet Rights, Partnerships

Open Internet; A Platform for Development

Posted on by denismikifoundation
09
May

The Internet is a virtual space facilitating inter-connectivity among people and machines across the globe; which makes it an ecosystem of its own and not so different from the physical world. The web was designed to bring people together and make knowledge freely available. Internet access is one of the rights that have become inherent to humans. Everyone has a role to play to ensure the web serves humanity. Governments, companies and citizens around the world can help protect the open web as a public good and a basic right for everyone.

In the past few years a number of countries have begun to promote an internet governance model based on the concept of network sovereignty. Network sovereignty holds that governments should have total control of the internet within their borders. This model differs from the current multistakeholder model of internet governance in which governments, civil society, and the technical community are considered equal partners in ensuring that the internet remains one, interoperable, global network. In practice, network sovereignty affords governments the ability to monitor the flow of information online, control the type of content that is accessible, and access user data stored within their jurisdictions.

Throughout January 2017 to March 2017, the government of Cameroon interrupted and shutdown the internet in the two English-speaking regions (North West and South West). This was executed under the pretext of maintaining public order. According to Internet without Boarders (2017), this has since been the longest internet shutdown in the history of Internet interruption in the world. By Economist analysis the ecumenical implications and losses of the cut is estimated to over 440 million F.CFA (US $ 880,000). The Cameroonian government’s institution of Law No 2010/012 of 21 December relating to Cybersecurity and Cyber-criminality in Cameroon, the Law Against Terrorism and the new Penal Code punishes citizens who publish false information including on social media. This situations are practical examples of the network sovereignty and the power it gives a government and also the challenges it has on an entire nation and the world at large.

Network Sovereignty is a threat to an open internet and democracy since it goes against international laws and declarations like the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms. The 8th Principle of the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms on Privacy says “Everyone has a right to privacy online including the right to control how their personal data is collected, used, disclosed, retained and disposed of. Everyone has the right to communicate anonymously on the Internet and to use appropriate technology to ensure secure, private and anonymous communication”. The concept of network sovereignty goes against the above mentioned principle and Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks”.

A new movement of local, national, regional and international leaders made of Civil Society Actors, Organisations and Individuals are now rising for the fight for the existence of an Open Internet which is free, and accessible to all. There are coalitions like the Digital Rights Coalition, Association for Progressive Communications, the Internet Rights Principles and Coalition Campaign and Open Internet for Democracy. It is imperative for everyone to join the movement to ensure a safe and open internet as we are all beneficiaries of the Internet. Denis Miki Foundation is an active member of several of this coalitions and campaigns and encourages all to join in as an individual and/or organisation.

A new movement of local, national, regional and international leaders made of Civil Society Actors, Organisations and Individuals are now rising for the fight for the existence of an Open Internet which is free, and accessible to all. There are coalitions like the Digital Rights Coalition, Association for Progressive Communications, the Internet Rights Principles and Coalition Campaign and Open Internet for Democracy. It is imperative for everyone to join the movement to ensure a safe and open internet as we are all beneficiaries of the Internet. Denis Miki Foundation is an active member of several of this coalitions and campaigns and encourages all to join in as an individual and/or organisation.

Democracy, Governance, Leadership, Volunteerism, Youth in the Picture

DMF Local To Global Fellowship

Posted on by denismikifoundation
18
Feb

Building global leaders has been identified as a crucial factor for community and organizational growth. That makes sense when competition can come from anywhere. Being globally-focused is now a prerequisite for survival and for community advancement. Future global leaders must be those who can develop local leaders with the ability to execute development-wide plans, across nations and regions, at the local level. Being a global leader today goes beyond having a “global strategy” and requires an “interface leaders” — or local leaders — to execute strategies.

The understanding that, programs and projects needs to be distilled down to the community or local level, because understanding local markets still matters. The Local to Global Fellowship program at Denis Miki Foundation will train the Next-generation global leaders on the basic but globally accepted skills needed to become successful in today’s world. The lessons and knowledge shared will come from experts in the development, social entrepreneurship and humanitarian sector. Our goal is to develop local leaders who will represent the voices of local people and communities across national, regional and global communities and sectors. The Local to Global Fellowship is driven by the fact that indeed, the best global leaders are also the best local leaders because within nations and across the world, global leaders need to have local plans.

The Local to Global Fellowship has as purpose to inspire, train, build the capacities of local leaders and transform them to globally recognized and respected leaders. This programme is designed to help rising local leaders identify and refine their personal leadership styles, develop their emotional intelligence, and acquire the skills that will enable them to bring out the best in others.

Over five days, you will gain perspectives on how you are perceived, learn to connect with others, and identify areas of growth. The programme also includes a small group coaching session that will help you establish a personal development plan that you can implement within a three to five-year timeframe for sustained career advancement.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Open to participants from around the world
  • Be a young leader aged between 20 to 35
  • Action oriented and currently running, involved or planning to launch a development initiative or social enterprise

Date and Fees

  • Both national and international participants will pay a $5 non-refundable application fee
  • Both national and international participants will pay a $300 participation fee if selected that will cover lodging and feeding
  • Denis Miki Foundation will not cover transportation for both national and international participants.
  • Selected international participants will have to cover their visa fee to Cameroon. DMF will be able to facilitate the visa application process for selected international participants.
DateVenueParticipation FeesNon refundable application fee
17 June – 21 June 2019Victoria Guest House, Hotel Limbe, South West Region Cameroon150,000FCFA ($300)2500 FCFA ($5)

Alumni / Early Payment / Team Enrolment Benefits

All previous DMF Mentees and Volunteers who are part of our team of alumni are entitled to 30% alumni savings on this programme.

Alternatively, you can enjoy savings if you pay early with MTN Mobile Money, Orange Money, Visa or MasterCard: 
> 30 days before start of programme: 10% savings 
> 20 days before start of programme: 5% savings

Team enrolment benefits are also available, please contact the Programme Advisor Nancy Efeme for details at nancy@denismikifoundation.cm

Application Deadline

  • Deadline for application for the 2019 Cohort of DMF Global Fellows is the 22nd of April, 2019 at 5.00 p.m. GMT+1
  • Participants are strongly advised to apply at least 2 days to the deadline to avoid challenges that arise as a result of overcrowding.
  • Applications received after the deadline will not be considered

How To Apply

Click here to apply.

Children's Rights, Girl Child, Humanitarian Assistance, Orphans & Vulnerable Children

Child Protection In The Midst of The Anglophone Crisis

Posted on by denismikifoundation
11
Feb

Children are one of the vulnerable groups affected by the ongoing Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon. The absence of education, the lack or poor access to health services and programs are major human rights concerns identified on the field by the team of Humanitarian Actors at Denis Miki Foundation.

It is in this regards that we are working together with communities, local and international partners to find ways of providing safe solutions that promote and protect the rights of children directly affected by the Anglophone Crisis. These include Internally Displaced Children and those Living in conflict areas.

In order to be able to achieve this, DMF Program Assistant and Women Mediators & Human Rights Activists Program Lead, Nancy Efeme participated in a 4 days training on Child Protection organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund, Cameroon.

The training which took place at the Capitol Hotel Buea from the 29th of January to the 1st of February 2019, brought together humanitarian actors and stakeholders working in the area of promoting Children’s Rights and who are members of the Child Protection Cluster.

Some of the topics touched on during the four days included; Child Protection In Emergency ( CPiE), the Minimum Child Protection Standards In Emergency, Child Protection Monitoring, managing UASC-Unaccompanied and separated children, Identification, Documentation, Tracing and Reunification.

Capacity Building, Children's Rights, Girl Child, He 4 She, Health, Her Voice Club, Leadership, MenEngage, Orphans & Vulnerable Children, Partnerships, Volunteerism, Women's Rights, Youth in the Picture

Her Voice Club Formed Following Focus Group Discussions with Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) on their Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR)

Posted on by denismikifoundation
23
Jan

Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) are faced with challenges particularly while engaging in relevant policy and program design processes that directly affect their lives. An example of this is absence and lack of meaningful engagement of adolescent girls and young women in national AGYW and youth related policy and program processes supported by or linked to the Global Fund. Gender inequalities limit the ability of young women to protect themselves from infection.

In 37 countries only 30% of young women had the knowledge to prevent HIV. Young women with HIV also face stigma and discrimination. To respond adequately to the needs of adolescent girls and young women, their voices and ideas must be heard. They must have the opportunity to shape policies and programs that affect them. This report presented is based on information gathered following consultative sessions through Focus Group Discussions with 48 AGYW in Cameroon to ensure their opinions and voices are captured to shape the decision making, implementation processes in the HIV/AIDS respond plans in Cameroon through the Global Fund.

        This report presents field consultation and analysis from this target group that represents their voices and opinions on a wide range of methods through which services like education can be provided to them. It provides a platform where we can ensure that they are able to seek and claim their rights to sexual health and HIV services. It highlights methods to contribute to the fight to end gender-based violence, a cause and consequence of HIV infections and proposes ways to create safe spaces for young women to become advocates and leaders in the HIV response and change harmful social norms to empower them.

The sessions that began with girls from 13 to 18 saw a lot of them having a lack of knowledge on HIV/AIDS. This was noticed because some of their answers to questions asked were incorrect and they were lacking on important knowledge about HIV/AIDS for example when it was coming to the difference between HIV and AIDS. A lot of them who were shy to speak at the beginning were able to start talking after a few minutes and we could watch their confidence grow and immediately after the session and our departure from the school a lot of them went on the internet to read more about HIV/AIDS and started following us on Facebook. The girls who participated at the Apostolic Comprehensive Secondary School have now began a club called Her Voice Club.

The AGYW who participated in the sessions out of the school campus had their sessions in outdoor environments, a choice made to create a space where they were comfortable and felt safe. The discussions created new friendships, exchange of life experiences and situations, knowledges and methods to engage them fully in the Global Fund processes. To be able to continue building on their capacities for their fully engagement in the Global Fund processes they proposed that a Whatsapp group should be created which was done of them and the Expert Trainers and the project team at DMF. A secret Facebook group was also to be created so that participants without Android Phones could be members. The team at DMF regularly shares workshop and consultative meeting opportunities at both the local, national and international levels, coach them in the application process so they can begin the engagement processes. Some are working closely with the team to build the article for the International Journal of Public Health so that they can be introduced to the processes and their capacities built.

Capacity Building, Girl Child, Governance, He 4 She, Health, Her Voice Club, Human Rights, MenEngage, Partnerships, Women's Rights, Youth in the Picture

Call For Expert Trainers

Posted on by denismikifoundation
27
Dec

PROJECT THEME: “Engaging the Voices, Opinions and Perspectives of AGYW groups in HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment Processes through Focus Group Discussions”

GOAL

The goal of this project is to provide a space for the meaningful consultation of Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) in Global Fund Cameroon processes as well as in Divisional, Regional and National processes to reduce new HIV infections among AGYW aged 15-24 to meet Global Fund targets.

OBJECTIVES

  1. To get the voices, perspectives and opinions of AGYW before designing and implementing HIV prevention polices/processes,
  2. To actively engage AGYW in HIV prevention efforts to improve acceptance and sustainable ownership of interventions, increase retention of AGYW in treatment programs and maximize impact
  3. To incorporate solutions proposed by AGYW into HIV prevention/treatment initiatives because AGYW are experts at understanding their own issues and designing solutions.

 

METHODOLOGY

-Together with the team at DMF, Expert Trainers will establish necessary criteria to carry out the study.

-Study procedure, will be explained to each participant by the experts prior to administering consent.

-Together with the team at DMF, the Experts will develop an interview framework that will enable the focus groups to examine risk factors for AGYW as well as strategies proposed by AGYW to address HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.

-The team of experts will determine the language of study, how the study will be conducted and the coding and consolidation system to make the study effective and the results reliable.

There will be 6 focus group discussions, 3 composed of AGYW aged 15-19 and another 3 composed of AGYW aged 20-24. Each group will comprise 8 participants making a total of 48. All sessions will be recorded and shall take place in Limbe between the 3rd to the 13th of January, 2019.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Expert Trainers in the fields of Health, Community Outreach and Service with proven track records on HIV/AIDS related programs most especially with previous and/or ongoing collaboration with Global Fund programs in Cameroon will be given more priority.

To apply send a One Page Abstract on the project theme attaching your most recent Curriculum Vitae (CV) to Denis Miki Foundation at contact@denismikifoundation.cm copying; Miss Emilia Miki emily@denismikifoundation.cm, Mr Emmanuel Vifansi emmanuel@denismikifoundation.cm, Miss Ndolo Ekema ndolo@denismikifoundation.cm and Mr Parviel Chirsir parviel@denismikifoundation.cm

Deadline: The deadline for submission of abstracts and CVs is the 30th of December 2018 at 11.59PM.

ABOUT DENIS MIKI FOUNDATION

Denis Miki Foundation is a development initiative that since December 2013 has worked with rural and urban-poor communities in Cameroon. Our programs at Denis Miki Foundation focus on primary health care, water, hygiene & sanitation targeting primary school children, youth, women and the underprivileged persons, conservation related activities, community development projects, vocational training and promoting sustainable agriculture, arts and talents promotion activities. DMF’s missions are to contribute to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and community development by empowering the people and their communities. We have as objectives to sustainably develop and enhance the capacities of the poor, vulnerable and rural areas of Cameroon.

 

ABOUT HER VOICE FUND

HER Voice is the result of various consultations with women organizations and women’s funds citing challenges faced, particularly by young women, while engaging in relevant policy and program design processes that directly affect their lives.

Through its “Community Rights and Gender Strategic Initiative”, the Global Fund has invested in HER Voice to support the meaningful engagement of adolescent girls and young women in national AGYW and youth related policy and program processes supported by or linked to the Global Fund, for an initial period of 12 months.

HER Voice believes that to respond adequately to the needs of adolescent girls and young women, their voices and ideas must be heard. They must have the opportunity to shape policies and programs that affect them. HER Voice collaborates with and compliment other initiatives geared towards strengthening quality of interventions targeting adolescent girls and young women.

The HER Voice Fund is jointly managed and administered by SHRH Africa Trust (SAT) and Eastern Africa National Networks of AIDS Service Organizations (EANNASO).

Awards, Capacity Building, Charity, Girl Child, Her Voice Club, Leadership, Orphans & Vulnerable Children, Partnerships, Recognitions, Volunteerism, Youth in the Picture

DMF Project Coordinator, Tembeng Eli-Anne becomes a Mentor at My YALI Family Holiday Camp

Posted on by denismikifoundation

DMF Project Coordinator, Eli-Anne participated as a Mentor at the maiden edition of the YALI West Africa Alumni Association Cameroon My YALI Family Camp. The median edition of My YALI alumni holiday Camp held at Nkolbisson, Yaounde. The 5 days camp with theme ‘STRENGTHENING YOUTH RESILIENCE THROUGH POSITIVE MIND DEVELOPMENT AND MENTORSHIP’ was organized by the US embassy Cameroon which saw 50 YALI Alumni’s throughout all the regions of Cameroon ( known as mentors) and 50 orphans taking from 10 orphanages from the 10 regions of Cameroon ( known as mentees ).

During this one week program the mentees and mentors had lessons on civic participation; they were introduced to entrepreneurship and public management. We also had life skills lesson on the production of paper bags which will help combat the use of plastic bags which is currently causing havoc to our environment. Later that day, the mentees were taken on the menstrual cycle lesson which at the end of the BEADING OF A BRACELRT EACH TO RE[PRESENT THEIR VARIOUS MENSTURAL  day which are from 3 to 5 days.

The mentees were later assigned to a mentor each according to their various different regions . The camp was graced with the visit of the USA Ambassador to Cameroon H.E Peter Henry Barlerin where he viewed some artistic works from the mentees and had lunch with the campers. The day ended with handing over of school needs to the kids by the ambassador.

The camp ended with mentees planning sessions with their mentors and ten clean up and an alumni meeting then departure.

Tembeng Eli-Anne

Awards, Recognitions

DMF Founder/CEO becomes an Obama Foundation African Leader

Posted on by denismikifoundation
19
Jul

Emilia (Emily) Epeti Miki the Founder/CEO of Denis Miki Foundation and Efeti Ventures and the Delegate of the Cameroon National Youth Council, Limbe 1 won the Obama Foundation African Leaders award. She was among the 5 Cameroonians selected out of 200 young Africans. This prestigious award was won thanks to the impact Denis Miki Foundation has had with our work with women, girls, children, boys and men in rural and urban poor communities in Cameroon to drive community development initiatives, capacity building, food security and wealth creation program with an aim to empower community members to become self-sufficient and alleviate poverty. This adds to several awards won by our Founder/CEO like the Mandela Washington Fellowship award by the U.S. Department of State, Queen Young Leaders award by Queen Elizabeth, voted among the 50 Most Influential Young Cameroonians and also featured as one of the 100 Young Cameroonians Inspiring Change in Cameroon. As a social entrepreneur, Emily works to reduce poverty through economic empowerment, mentorship and coaching. She currently facilitates capacity building trainings, women and youth empowerment trainings, community and rural development outreach programs. Her works have increased impact substantially and have impacted over 8500 youths, 1500 women and has made it possible for her to receive invitations to consult in the organization of more events like this one.

In July 2018 Emily was selected as one of the 200 young Africans from over 10,000 applicants for the Obama Foundation African Leaders program that brought together 200 emerging leaders from across the continent at Johanessburg, South Africa to explore new ways to take on the biggest challenges in their communities. This convening had President Barack Obama, Former President of the United States host a Town Hall with the 200 Leaders where Emily can be seen in the video asking President Obama a question and which now has her commonly going as “Obama’s niece”.

The convening also brought top leaders like Aliko Dangote, Koffi Annan, Former Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Graça Marshal among several top leading politicians, entrepreneurs, business men and women around the world.

Charity, Women's Rights

Share The Love; Sponsor A Widow’s Health Insurance Project

Posted on by denismikifoundation
10
Jul

To commemorate the International Widow’s Day which is celebrated globally on the 23rd of June each year, Denis Miki Foundation launched the “Share The Love; Sponsor A Widow’s Health Insurance” Project. There are an estimated 500,000 widows in Cameroon, out of a population of about 20.550.000, accommodating some 250 different ethnic groups. Widows are the most vulnerable and neglected group in our community. In our community, the widows are among the poorest and most marginalized group in the community. There exists a multiplier effect where they cannot afford quality education for their children. Consequently, some of these children drop out of school, have unwanted pregnancies while some resort to joining bad gangs and become arm robbers. Therefore, an effort to economically empower widows is a timely intervention to take them out of poverty and equally preserve the future of their children. Widows and their children, particularly their daughters, who so often suffer the most discrimination and violence, direct and indirect, from state and non-state actors, and this discrimination, resulting in extreme poverty, marginalisation, and exposure to violence, requires visibility so that it can be addressed by governments.

A project to financially and economically empower them is primordial for their well-being. This economic empowerment will facilitate the widows to send their children to school, also be able to sustain the family given that they are now the main bread winner in the absence of their husbands. The project has as goal to economically empower 50 widows in the coastal area in Limbe Cameroon. The key objective is to assist in poverty reduction and to improve the livelihood of the widows who are mostly poorly catered for and live in financial hardship. Our activities will involve community mobilization to identify the widows, sensitize them and register them for Health Insurance in the BEPHA program.

We are focused on empowering women and young girls. We are motivated by the hardship, neglect and male dominance experienced by the women in our community, we are therefore engaged in assisting these women and young girls to train them to become financially independent and economically empowered. We are moved with compassion for the widows who have nobody to defend and fend for them. They usually have their late husband’s property unjustly taken away from them. Thus, such a project will be a source of comfort and hope to them.

We, with several of our partners calls on and invites widows to register and benefit from the project; “Share the Love; Sponsor a Widow’s Health Insurance” at their office situated besides the Chinese Shop Newton, Limbe. The project aims at achieving health insurance support for widows who cannot afford their health care because of poverty and high dependency from children left behind after the death of their partners. In a bit to reduce the poverty suffering levels of widows and develop programs to address their health challenges and encourage actions in achieving full rights for widows and ameliorate their conditions.

Register today at Denis Miki Foundation with the photocopy of your national identity card or birth certificate and one passport size photograph or call the numbers 677985413 or 677422454.

Health, WASH Programs

World Water Day 2018 Celebrated Under The Theme Nature For Water

Posted on by denismikifoundation
23
Mar

To commemorate World Water Day 2018 celebrated on the 22nd of March, DMF partnered with the Regional Delegation of the Ministry of Water and Energy Resources and other stakeholders as a member of the Taskforce and representative of Civil Society Organisations. The one week activity included Call-in sensitization programs on EDEN RADIO Limbe to sensitize and educate the entire community of Limbe and other neighbouring towns on the importance of water to life and our collective role in the proper management of the natural resource made available for us.

With a growing population and increasing need for portable water to meet the needs of the community, the Bonadikombo Water Catchment and Management Committee is an exemplary Community Based Approach of solving our present water crisis. To commemorate the 2018 World Water Day which is celebrated today the 22nd of March we joined the Regional Delegation of the Ministry of Water Resources and Energy, The Limbe 1 Council, CAMWATER, Community Water Management Committees and other stakeholders in a working visit to the Bonadikombo Water Catchments where we learned on how they have in the last 30 to 40 years supplied water to the population of Mile 4, Ewongo and other neighbouring communities with an almost 95% success rate. Using the Community Assets Based Approach of solution provision and problem solving building on smaller Spring Catchments in local communities in Cameroon is seen to be the best approach to solve the Water Crisis that is an alarming community challenge in the nation today.

A round table discussion that brought together all water stakeholders; the councils, ministries, civil society, media and community water management committees gave a platform for deliberations, debates and the drawing up of resolutions on how to manage our water needs and challenges. Also challenges faced and best practices that have worked well for some stakeholders were shared and tools of water management were shared.

The celebration which ended with an open day event under the patronage of the Governor of the South West Region had a mix of arts and culture with artist performing educative songs on water and it’s importance to life, how we should manage our natural water sources and protect it from bacteria and prevent water borne diseases like Cholera and Typhoid.