2021
Project Implementation
Beginning our major initiatives
Love, Care and Hope
About Us
Learn more about our origin, mission, and the team driving our vision.
Our Foundation
Our Story
The Center for the Needy and Vulnerable (CEFONEV) is a registered humanitarian non-profit organization born on the 2nd of February 2017 with the motto of Love, Care and Hope. We are situated in Biyem-Assi, Yaoundé, and we are a women, girls and children serving organization. Alluding to the UN SDGs and the African Union's Agenda 2063, we derive our pride from relieving the pain, suffering and trauma of these vulnerable groups of persons.
In this light, the women, girls and children are kept under our care, where the women are trained in employment and marketable skills and the girls and children are given access to quality education. We equally respond to disasters and humanitarian crises by providing first-aid relief assistance to victims.
Leadership
A Word from the President
I am Sylvie Afor Achi, the CEO and founder of the Center for the Needy and the Vulnerable (CEFONEV). The driving force behind the creation of a humanitarian organization began in 2014 in Kumba, when I witnessed the horrendous loss of a neighbor's home to a fire. It was hard to see this single mother and her three children wail in pain and agony over the loss of the only thing they called theirs.
Generally, victims of such incidents are compensated by the government or other local authorities in the area. But this was not the case; this family sought shelter from neighbors who could only offer space in their living room for a few days. One week later, frustrated, confused and full of pain, they left for their village, where they had to begin life all over again. I couldn't hold back the tears that flowed uncontrollably from my eyes.
I tried helping but couldn't do much then for lack of enough financial power. There and then I promised myself and told them as well that I was going to open up a humanitarian structure that will bring back hope to people like them. As if that were not enough, in 2016 I witnessed yet again the horrendous suffering and precarious conditions under which women, children, infants and the elderly from the war-hit Anglophone regions were living.
These vulnerable groups of people fled from their comfort zones into the bush and other regions for shelter and survival. Some of these women, though pregnant, and others nursing mothers, were seen sleeping on the bare floor in dilapidated and abandoned structures; children went for days without food, and the elderly were frustrated and confused. I couldn't wait any longer; I decided to step into the gap and serve humanity. CEFONEV was created in 2017 with the aim to serve humanity and bring back hope to the hopeless.
— Sylvie Afor Achi
CEO/President & Founder, CEFONEV
What Guides Us
Our Guiding Principles
Our Mission
Provide Psychological, Occupational and Financial relief to vulnerable women and children, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees in our society.
Our Vision
An inclusive and equitable society for all where potential and lifestyle are socially and economically enhanced.
Our Strategy
An inclusive, Empowered and a Participatory Society
Get Involved
Participate
Your time and compassion can change a life. Volunteer with CEFONEV and help a displaced child return to school or a mother rebuild her future.
The People Behind the Work
Management Team
Sylvie Afor Achi
CEO/President & Founder
I am Sylvie Afor Achi, the CEO and founder of the Center for the Needy and the Vulnerable (CEFONEV). The driving force behind the creation of a humanitarian organization began in 2014 in Kumba, when I witnessed the horrendous loss of a neighbor's home to a fire. It was hard to see this single mother and her three children wail in pain and agony over the loss of the only thing they called theirs.
As a second child from a family of six children, growing up with my Aunt away from home was very challenging but in itself was an experience. I have come across a series of experiences some of good memories and others like nightmares. These experiences whether good or bad have all contributed to shape the woman I am today.
My academic background has been a success. I gradually and courageously moved from one level to the other, gaining experiences at all levels from national to international milieu. Nationally, I obtained a diploma and first degree from ENS Bambili and have gained teaching experience for over 15 years in government schools around the nation. Internationally, in 2011, I was privileged to be in a class of 45 students from all over the world at Tel-Aviv university in Israel where I obtained an MA in Conflict resolution and Mediation.
With such rich experience and background, I must attest I knew the time was ripe to go for this noble profession of serving humanity. It is a path way full of its own challenges, but I must emphasize it is equally full of exciting moments. One thing is clear, I love what I do and do it wholeheartedly. My prayer is that God should give me all what it takes to be successful in this great endeavor.
Mefira Fifen Yayee
General Programme Coordinator
I'm deeply passionate about making a lasting impact through community-driven change. As a diplomat by training and a researcher in History, Peace, and Development, my journey in the field of social work spans over 14 years, with experience in Community-based, National, and International organisations.
My work is grounded in a commitment to finding sustainable solutions to vulnerabilities, from children and families to entire communities. Throughout my career, I've focused on alleviating poverty and suffering, while working specifically on issues related to community mobilisation, youth peace and community development.
A major aspect of my mission is to engage youth as peacebuilders and development agents, particularly in efforts to dissociate them from violent extremism. I firmly believe that the youth are powerful drivers of change when given the opportunity and support.
Academically, I am currently pursuing a PhD in peace and development, with a focus on conflict resolution and societal transformation. I hold two master's degrees—one in the History of International Relations from the University of Dschang and another in International Relations from the International Relations Institute of Cameroon, University of Yaoundé II.
Alongside my academic qualifications, I've completed various training programs, including leadership under the Young Leaders Programme of the Friedrich Erbert Foundation, agropreneurship under EnableYouth Cameroon in partnership with IITA, and additional training in project management, mainstreaming gender equality in NGO programs, and business administration.
It's this blend of experience, education, and passion that fuels my commitment to working with NGOs. Whether through community-level interventions or global policy discussions, I'm constantly striving to find innovative solutions that foster peace, development, and social justice. I'm grateful to be on this journey with CEFONEV.
Oben-Etchi Francis
Social Worker and Technical Adviser
I am a graduate of the University of Paris XII Val-de-Marne, Créteil, with an MA in Linguistics and a teacher by profession. I have taught English and French in many schools in Cameroon. I now work with CEFONEV.
In pursuit of its trilogy of Love, Care and Hope, CEFONEV has been steadfast in providing psychosocial support to the IDPs, women and refugees under its care. CEFONEV helps these vulnerable groups come out of their trauma, pain and depression. They are also taught stress management and how to master their thoughts in order to adapt to their new circumstances. Providing care and improving lives remains the bedrock of CEFONEV's raison d'être.
Tete Catherine Longchi
Volunteer Program Assistant
I hold a Bachelor's Degree in English from the University of Bamenda, and I am a volunteer at CEFONEV. I am a program assistant officer involved in addressing issues pertaining to inclusive and quality education for young women and children.
My desire is to serve humanity and contribute my own quota to nation building. Working at CEFONEV has impacted my life in several ways: I have been able to accomplish a lifelong dream, which is to help people in need, and I have also been able to widen my scope of knowledge in diverse areas.
Before joining CEFONEV, I served as a volunteer with the health services at the Presbyterian Health Center, Bali.
Ngha Yolland Zou
Volunteering Accountant
I am the Founder and CEO of Ets Yolisyummies and fashion world. I'm a Volunteering accountant at CEFONEV At CEFONEV, I record monetary transactions, prepare financial and other necessary reports. Being a servant leader, helping others to help me through volunteering acts is one of the things I do at CEFONEV, aimed at making the world a better place aside my accounting job description.
I have equally attended a series of trainings with ANO consultancy, C-life, AWLO Cameroon youth council and ROBOGA. CEFONEV has given me a more open platform of opportunities to do what I love most which is reaching out to people in need.
I hold a Higher National Diploma in accounting and am currently pursuing my professional degree in the same field.
Patton Verkonge Kiven
Intern
I am currently working as an intern at CEFONEV, where I am being mentored in project-related activities. My passion to join CEFONEV came as a result of its impressive and outstanding achievements in helping vulnerable women and girls attain their desires and fulfill their dreams.
My ambition is to be an expert in project management, an opportunity CEFONEV has offered me. I am undergoing an HND program at CITEC HITM and hold GCE Advanced Levels.
I have the passion and zeal working for people and volunteering especially serving the needy and vulnerable in our society.
Since 2017
Our Journey
From our founding in 2017 to today, see how CEFONEV has grown and made a lasting impact in communities across Cameroon.
2021
Facility Expansion
Growing to serve more families
2022
Infrastructure Growth
Building for the future
2023
Program Expansion
Launching new initiatives