About Us

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.