In a landmark event that took place on July 15, 2026, in Maroua, Plan International Cameroon and the local non-governmental organization ALDEPA officially marked the successful completion of their joint initiative, “Provision of Multi-sectoral Basic Services to Youth in the Lake Chad Region.”
For over three impactful years, this collaborative effort has reached deep into the Far North Region of Cameroon, guiding thousands of vulnerable young people toward a path of safety, self-reliance, and renewed hope. The closing ceremony celebrated not just the end of a project timeline, but the enduring structural changes brought to communities that have long faced socio-economic and security challenges.
Funded by the German Government through the German Federal Foreign Office – GFFO, the project was designed to address the complex, overlapping challenges faced by young people living in the sensitive Lake Chad basin. By focusing on an integrated, holistic approach, the program combined physical protection, essential healthcare, vital psychosocial support, and targeted economic empowerment.
This multi-sectoral strategy ensured that young participants did not just receive temporary aid, but were equipped with the tangible skills and mental resilience needed to actively shape their own futures and lift up their local economies.
The human element of the three-year journey is best reflected in the lived experiences of its participants, who have transitioned from survival to leadership. Rachel Gaïgued, a young woman who took part in the program, shared how the initiative fundamentally altered her life trajectory, enabling her to continue her education and build the confidence to serve as a junior parliamentarian. Her story is a powerful testament to how access to basic services can unlock latent potential, transforming young beneficiaries into proactive advocates who can effectively champion the rights and needs of their peers on a wider stage.
While the formal operations of the GFFO-funded project have officially drawn to a close, the sustainable foundations laid over the last three years ensure that its impact will ripple outward for generations. The capacities built, the health and protection networks established, and the spirit of youth leadership fostered in Maroua and surrounding areas are now deeply embedded within the community fabric.
The seeds of resilience and empowerment sown by Plan International Cameroon and ALDEPA will continue to grow, proving that targeted investment in youth is the most effective catalyst for long-term peace and development.
