In Cameroon, factors such as demographic growth, lack of infrastructure and insufficient action by the public authorities are exacerbating the social and economic poverty of local populations. Nyalla, a district of Douala, is home to many young girls from rural and disadvantaged areas who do not live with their families. Because of their isolation and lack of resources, many of them end up in street situations. There is an increased risk of prostitution, whether forced or out of spite, exposing them to numerous dangers such as trauma, unwanted pregnancy and disease.
To address this issue, we are working with our partner Chaîne des foyers Saint-Nicodème (CFSN) to support young girls living on the streets through the New-Bell day centre and the Arts and Style vocational training centre. Through these two facilities, they are supported until they become socially and financially independent.
The importance of awareness-raising activities
To ensure that the reintegration of young girls is sustainable and to strengthen their protection, awareness-raising campaigns are carried out.
The young girls taken into care are made aware of subjects that are fundamental to their protection and well-being: sexuality, hygiene, health, access to their rights and the dangers of the street. Educational talks are held 4 times a month at the day centre, allowing the young girls to discuss these issues. Weekly street outreach work is also carried out to identify new young girls in need of support.
To ensure that the girls have a stable living environment when they leave the centre, our local partner also invites their relatives - identified through social surveys - to awareness-raising sessions. The aim is to stress the importance of the family's role in the education and training of young people, and to prevent further breakdowns.
Community participation is also encouraged through the involvement of local businesses in the reintegration process, offering young girls internship opportunities and contributing to their professional integration.
Finally, awareness-raising with local authorities is an integral part of our partner's activities: this enables them to be informed about the situation of children in street situations and the preventive measures available to meet their responsibility to protect them.
Step-by-step reintegration and long-term support
We offer support in several steps. Firstly, the Nyalla training centre offers three apprenticeships: sewing, hairdressing and aesthetics, the choice of which is made by the young girls after three months of pre-training. They then go on to professional training courses. At this stage, they can choose between the employee and entrepreneurial route. If they choose to launch their own economic activity, they have the opportunity to receive financial and material support to ensure the viability of their business.
Finally, the specific feature of the support is the long-term follow-up, which continues long after they have left the centre. While weekly visits are organised during their training, support is maintained for several years after they graduate. This is made possible thanks to the professional network of women who have been supported by the Nyalla centre, as former beneficiaries often offer work placements to young girls still at the centre.
"I'm a 17-year-old girl, and I'm grateful because you've given me the opportunity to be a solution for my family and my country. I'm grateful for the fulfilment you've brought to my life, allowing me, a low-class girl, to fulfil my dream of being an entrepreneur." Young girl in3rd year, sewing course.