WHO WE ARE
Garizim Foundation is a youth-led association aimed at contributing to the education and welfare of less privileged youths, as well as promoting volunteerism amongst youths. We focus on the less privileged youths of the Northern regions of Cameroon, where underdevelopment, poverty, and low levels of education are a limit to youths achieving their dreams. Our programs and activities are designed to be a catalyst that helps underprivileged populations reach their goals and fulfill their potential. Learn more about the impact we have and join us in bringing about positive change.
OUR VISION
Childhood and youth are key stages in the development of any individual. It is during these phases that the right cards must be played to build a future adult capable of taking care of himself and contributing effectively to society. However, not all children and young people are born in the same circumstances. While some can boast of the best opportunities and privileges this world has to offer, others cannot afford the most basic needs and rights prescribed for every child or young person. Our vision is that of a world where people work hand in hand to provide all young people and children with the opportunities they need to fully become what they were meant to be.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to educate, train and equip less privileged children and youths to become responsible independent citizens and great contributors to our society to their full potential.
OUR OBJECTIVES
To contribute to the holistic education of less privileged youths​​
To contribute to the welfare of less privileged youths
To promote volunteerism amongst youths
OUR STORY
How it all started...
Garizim Foundation was founded in December 2017 as an idea of Elvire WAFO, a veterinary medicine student at the University of Ngaoundere at the time. Serving as a Sunday school teacher at her local church, she realized that several children could barely read their bibles in church or take part in writing exercises despite being enrolled in schools. Also, significant numbers were school dropouts or soon-to-be as a result of dire financial circumstances or the fact their parents laid more emphasis on other things to the detriment of their education.  By observing the rest of the community in which she found herself, she realized that the problem was more serious for other children who had never had the opportunity to attend a school, and sometimes coming from families where the parents were completely illiterate. She had the idea of organizing literacy and refresher courses for these young people and children during the holidays. She shared the idea with friends, among whom four (4) including - Bertrand BOBETO, Kevine NONO, Blessing WALBILA and Armand FOKENG – adhered to the vision and together they organized the very first edition of a literacy and refresher classes program. By working on this project, they explored other avenues of action to help solve the problems of poverty and education in the community where they were residing for their studies. They decided to create an association in order to be able to work in a legal context and have greater impact. The first meetings were held in their various student hostels.