About Us

About

Our story

Center for the Needy and Vulnerable (CEFONEV) is a registered humanitarian non-profit organization born on the 2nd of February 2017 with motto of Love, Care and Hope. We are situated in Biyem-Assi Yaoundé. We are a women, girls and children serving organization. Alluding to the UN SDGs and Africa 63 agenda, we do derive our pride in relieving pain, suffering and trauma from these vulnerable groups of persons. In this light, the women, girls and children are kept under our care where the women are trained on employment and marketable skills and the girls and children are given access to quality education. We equally respond to disasters and humanitarian crisis by providing first aid relief assistance to victims.

A word from the president of cefonev

I Am Sylvie Afor Achi, the CEO/founder of 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 the home of a neighbor to a fire incident. It was hard to see how devastated this single mother and her three children wailed in pain and agony from 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 sook shelter from neighbors who could only help with 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. I couldn’t hold back the tears that flew 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 not enough, in 2016, I witnessed yet again the horrendous suffering and precarious conditions under which women, children, infants and the old from the war hit Anglophone regions were living. These vulnerable groups of people fled from their comfort zones into bushes and other regions for shelter and survival. Some of these women though pregnant and others nursing mothers were seen sleeping on bare floor in dilapidated and abandoned structures, children go on for days without food and the old 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.  

 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. I must confess that from childhood life has not been easy for me health wise. For over two decades of my life, I was faced with a health challenge that medical personnel couldn’t comprehend. This problem brought me so much pain and reaped me off all my adolescent and youthful pleasure. Depression stepped in and I thought of ending my own life. However, I am grateful God gave me another chance to live by overcoming worry, frustration and discouragement. The good news is; I gradually became healed overtime without taking medications. This experience made me courageous, tolerant and patient with people suffering, built my resilience and above all gave me a focus in life.

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. My experience with others from different ethnic, religious, cultural and linguistic backgrounds is full of great memories and excitement. I equally was privileged to visit the holy sites in Israel where I participated in prayers like other Christians on pilgrimage there.  

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. so help me God.

Provide Psychological, Occupational and Financial relief to vulnerable women and children, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees in our society.

An inclusive and equitable society for all where potential and lifestyle are socially and economically enhanced .

An inclusive, Empowered and a Participatory Society

Your participation can put a smile on someone’s face. Someone needs your help somewhere.

management team

Meet those sacrificing their time and resources to make this vision realizable

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, and I look forward to sharing more of the impactful work we’re doing to build stronger communities and a more peaceful world.

 

OBEN-ETCHI FRANCIS

                    Social Worker and Technical Adviser

I am a graduate from the university of Paris XII Val-de-Marne, Creteil with MA in Linguistics and a teacher by profession. I have taught English and French languages in many schools in Cameroon. I now work with CEFONEV.CEFONEV in pursuit of the trilogy above has been steadfast in providing psycho support to IDPs, women and refugees under her care. CEFONEV helps these vulnerable groups to come out from their trauma, pain and depression. Also, they are educated in stress management, how to have mastery of their thoughts to fit in the new situation they are. Providing care and improving lifestyle remains the bedrock of CEFONEV’s raison d’ệtre.

Tete Catherine Longchi.

                                  Volunteer

I am a holder of a Bachelor Degree in Literatures in English from the University of Bamenda. I am a volunteer at CEFONEV. I am a program assistant officer involve in addressing issues patterning to inclusive and quality Education of young women and children. My desire is to serve humanity and contribute my own quota in nation building. Working at CEFONEV has impacted my life in several ways; I have been able to accomplish a long live dream which is to help persons in need, I have also been able to widen my scope of knowledge in diverse areas. Before joining CEFONEV I have 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 am a holder of higher national diploma in accounting and currently perusing my professional degree in the same field

Patton Verkonge Kiven

                                                 Volunteer

I am currently working as an intern at CEFONEV As an intern I am currently being nursed in project related activities. My passion to join CEFONEV came as a result of their impressive and outstanding achievements in letting vulnerable woman and girls to attain their desires and fulfill their dreams. My ambition is to be an expert in project management in which CEFONEV has offered me the opportunity. I am undergoing HND program in CITEC HITM and a holder of GCE Advance levels. I have the passion and zeal working for people and volunteering especially serving the needy and vulnerable in our society.

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