Kindness that Grows: EBF’s Eco Support in Northern Cameroon

The European Baptist Federation is committed to caring for God’s creation as part of our holistic mission. Guided by our Eco Guidelines, we take practical steps to reduce our environmental impact and support sustainable initiatives in regions most affected by climate change. As part of this commitment, our council runs a carbon offset programme for all participants. EBF has made another donation of €750 to the Sahel Vert project in northern Cameroon. 

Read below for an update from the project and see how reforestation, ecological farming, and training are transforming lives and restoring hope.

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Green ways out of poverty: Ismael's new start

In the middle of the dry and dusty savannah in the extreme north of Cameroon, on the border with Nigeria, lies the small village of Boukla. The population tries to make a living from agriculture and livestock farming, but conditions are very harsh. The same is true for Ismael, who grew up here and knows all too well from his own experience the hard physical work in the fields and as a shepherd. After many years of hard work, he gave up in frustration and is now trying to get by with odd jobs.

Extreme conditions for agriculture

The extreme climatic and ecological conditions in the Sahel region pose considerable challenges for the population in northern Cameroon. Low rainfall makes agriculture and livestock farming difficult. Periods of drought and flooding occur repeatedly, placing a strain on the water infrastructure. In addition, climate change is causing increasingly irregular rainy and dry seasons, which further exacerbates the problems.

Hope through reforestation

In this hostile landscape, the “Sahel Vert” (Green Sahel) project was initiated over 40 years ago with the support of EBM INTERNATIONAL to give the population hope again. Jonathan Woulkam has been leading this work for several years now. By planting thousands of trees and shrubs every year, the aim is to create a natural barrier that will prevent water shortages and soil erosion.

In 2022, Jonathan expanded the project by adding ecological fish and livestock farming. The initiative arose from his contact with the local people. At the existing training center in Tchévi, people are now learning how to become self-sufficient with limited resources. The center has large areas of land that are ideal for livestock farming, agriculture, and fish farming.

From theory to practice

Jonathan Woulkam conducted a feasibility study specifically for this purpose and decided to utilize the area's untapped potential. A key objective of the project is the training of the local population. Participants learn important skills in livestock farming, water management, and marketing. A wide variety of vegetables are grown on the ground in Tchévi, including okra, moringa, eggplant, peppers, and even watermelons. The resulting employment stabilizes the local economy and improves social conditions by reducing migration from rural areas.

Training in Tchévi: A new start for Ismael

Ismael (name changed) lives very close to the center and heard about the training opportunities in Tchévi. He decided to give it one last try. After many years of hard work without success, he had given up in frustration. Jonathan Woulkam and his team taught him how to cultivate the soil under difficult conditions, which plants thrive here, and how to water them efficiently. The trainees were also trained in livestock farming, with local breeds of sheep, goats, and chickens that are well adapted to the hot climate.

At the end of his training, Ismael was given a goat as an incentive and start-up aid. After the goat gave birth for the first time, he returned it to the center. This was the start of a new life for Ismael. He was able to buy two more goats and some chickens, built stables, and planted fodder. His good training helped him to work efficiently and invest wisely. After just one year, he now owns eight goats and 48 chickens in his stables. He has already sold his chicken brood twice and invested the profits in new chickens and fodder.

Today, Ismael can proudly show the results of his work. He has managed to stand on his own two feet and has found new self-confidence and hope for a good future.

Pioneer work in fish farming

An outstanding part of the project is the implementation of fish farming, which does not yet exist in the region. As fresh fish is very rare to find, fish farming offers a valuable addition to the traditional nutrition and is an important source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. At the same time, local production reduces dependence on expensive imports and opens up a new source of income.

Catfish are used for breeding as they are more resistant to environmental conditions and adapt easily to the artificial environment. The fish are bred in specially designed above-ground tanks, which enable a controlled and sustainable production. In the future, it may also be possible to extend the breeding to carp.

But Jonathan's plans go far beyond that: "In a few years, we would like to expand the fish farm and equip ourselves with tanks made of robust panels, which are more durable than the weather-sensitive tanks made of tarpaulin. It might also be possible to sell fresh, dried and smoked fish or purchase machines to produce our own fish fodder."

To ensure an adequate water supply, a solar-powered water tower was built to store the water and distribute it to the fish tanks and vegetable gardens. As water is a very valuable resource in northern Cameroon, the population is also being trained in the sustainable use of it. The water used at the fish farm - which contains nutrients from the excrement of the fish - is reused for growing vegetables, thus raising awareness of the need to water plants efficiently.

The objective: a new environmentally-conscious generation

For Jonathan Woulkam, the objective of his project is clear: “My vision is to train a generation of qualified, independent and environmentally-conscious young people who can actively contribute to food security, local employment and sustainable development through modern and integrated fish farming, agriculture and livestock farming.”

In the last three years, the new project in the region around Tchévi has already achieved some of his objectives. However, people like Ismael, who come to him for training, remain particularly important to Jonathan. His intention is to guide them towards independence so that they can take their lives into their own hands and thereby provide better for themselves and their families. This not only improves their quality of life and self-confidence, but also gives them new hope and promotes social stability in the region.

According to a report by Jonathan Woulkam, project leader of “Sahel Vert” in Cameroon