Programmes

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Micro-Finance 

    Nkong Women Cash Up (NWOCA)

Since 2006, NCIG has been working with the support of the Methodist Relief & Development Fund (MRDF) London on the Nkong Women Cash Up scheme (NWOCA). This scheme provides micro-credits and other financial services to rural women's groups in order to expand and improve their income generating activities. The project also involves training the women on managing small businesses, group dynamics and networking as well as lessons on women rights and HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. To date, more than 350 women have benefited, many of whom are repeat beneficiaries. These women are drawn from 8 communities - Dibanda (Mile 14), Bonadikombo (Mile 16), Ekona, Maumu, and Lebialem.

    Nkong Widow's Fund (NWF)

In collaboration with Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW), NCIG has also provided micro-credits to groups of widowed crop farmers for 3 communities in the Muyuka Sub Division since 2007. This also included sensitisation training for chiefs and other stakeholders in the target communities.

    Drombaya Scheme

Since 2008, NCIG has been partnered with Drombaya, an NGO based in Switzerland. It has reached 32 beneficiaries to date, all of whom are poor women involved in small, private businesses in the Muea area – a village on the outskirts of Buea. This scheme is still in the first repayment cycle and is a revolving scheme, expected to continue in the future. This particular project is financed by a loan (as opposed to a grant) to be repaid with interest by NCIG.

Agriculture Production and Food Security

    Support of Poultry Farming

NCIG has worked with the UNDP Grassroots Poverty Reduction Project to provide technical support to groups of poultry farmers. Beneficiaries include the Better Life Association (an association of people living with HIV and AIDS) in Menji, Lebialem as well as the Mmuockmbie Pig Farmers CIG and Esuoh-Esuoh CIG all in the Lebialem Division, and the Matutu CIG in Fako Division.

    Capacity Building for Farmer's Associations

In 2006, NCIG is working with the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) as a service provider to support farmers' organisations in Ndian Division. This assignment entailed carrying out a rapid diagnosis and preparing development and business plans for identified farmers' organisations. NCIG provided the Union with training and coaching to enable it to be put in place efficiently with transparent governance structures and to mobilise sufficient resources to become a viable enterprise. NCIG has assisted farmers' organisations to form a union of farmers' cooperatives (MANAFACOOP) in Mundemba, Ndian Division.

Environmental Education

    M'muock Project

Since 2007 has partnered with Green Step e.V., a German-based NGO, working on renewable energy and environmental education initiatives in M'muock-Lebialem. This project has trained local craftsman on the construction of wind turbines and micro-hydro turbines to generate electricity for rural households in areas not serviced by the grid. The local craftsman are thereby also equipped with the knowledge necessary to implement this skill for income generation with the construction of further turbines. This project also funds environmental education programs and clubs in M'muock schools. 

Female Empowerment

    Women Education and Empowerment Programme (WEEP)

Since April 2005, this project has aimed to improve women's participation in development and local decision-making processes. This project is supported by Bread for the World (bftw) Germany and implemented in partnership with the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC). Some of its achievements to date include: over 20,000 people sensitised on women's rights and the importance of women's participation in politics; over 750 women group leaders trained on gender and women's rights; 65 female political aspirants trained on political campaign strategies before the 2007 municipal and parliamentary elections in Cameroon; 67 elected female counsellors and Deputy Mayors trained on good local governance and effective leadership; 36 council executives trained on council budget process and gender sensitive budgeting; 5 sub-divisions sensitised on the importance of the education of female children; and 20 traditional rulers sensitised on gender issues.

    Social Theatre Programme

There have been two written plays and several sketches conceived and performed under this programme by the Nkong Drama troupe under the Nkong Women Empowerment Programme. The performances include:

         1. "Namondo - The Empowerment of the Rural Woman" was acted in 2000 aimed at advocating for                        micro-credit to boost the income generating activities of rural women.

         2. "SARAH POLITIK" was aimed at advocating for gender mainstreaming in political activities during                    the 2002 municipal and parliamentary election in Cameroon which was recorded and broadcasted                  on the National TV Station and was performed live at six divisional headquarters in the South West                  Region.

    Project To Improve On Gender Justice In The Media

Conducted in 2008, this aimed at reducing gender discrimination in the media at the level of decision-making, programming, recruitment, and trainings among others. Project achievements include: identification of and work with 19 media houses in the South West Region; 25 female journalists trained on advocacy and networking; 20 male media sensitised on the concept of gender; drawing up of a gender policy for and by media practitioners from various media houses in the Region; endorsement of the gender policy for media houses by 11 senior media executives and publishers; and the organisation of 3 round table conferences to enhance opportunities for female media practitioners.

    Quantum Leap Programme

NCIG participated in the Quantum Leap Training Programme organised by the Cameroon Gender and Development Network (CAMGADNET) through its South West provincial affiliate, the Women Information and Coordination Forum (WICOF). The project aimed to increase the number of female mayors and parliamentarians in the July 2007 twin elections in Cameroon to 100 and 30 female representatives, respectively.

Governance

    Elections monitoring

In 2007, NCIG worked in collaboration with COMINSUD Bamenda training 39 election monitors to observe the twin municipal and parliamentary elections in all the six divisions of the South West Region. Thereafter, the monitors were deployed to 18 municipalities to observe and report on the conduct of the elections.

HIV / AIDS Prevention and Care

    Nkong CARE Project (NCAREP)

NCIG works directly with people living with HIV/AIDS in Menji and also aims to improve community participation in the care of people living with HIV/AIDS and vulnerable children. Activities have included assisting the formation of an association of people living with HIV/AIDS – the Better Life Association. NCIG organised and held numerous meetings with the association and assisted them to develop a proposal to get funding for income generating activities from the UNDP Poverty Alleviation Project. NCIG has also been involved in sensitising local authorities and supporting the operation of orphans of HIV/AIDS parents and other orphans.

    Fako Happy Road Riders HIV Project (FHARP)

In 2006 and 2007, NCIG worked with the support of The AIDS Fund of the Canadian Cooperation. This project aimed to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS along the Mungo – Idenau highway in Fako division. Activities were targeted to encourage community members to get tested for HIV/AIDS and counselling. Additionally, NCIG worked towards sensitising the local authorities and other important stakeholders as well as reinforce the capacity of community peer educators. Finally, NCIG operated two counselling and testing centres with free screening sessions.

Media and Communication Rights

    Project to Improve on Gender Justice in the Media

Conducted in 2008 in coordination with the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC), this project aimed to reduce gender discrimination in the media at the level of decision-making, programming, recruitment and trainings. Project achievements include: identification of and work with 19 media houses in the South West Region; 25 female journalists trained on advocacy and networking; 20 male media sensitised on the concept of gender; drawing up of a gender policy for and by media practitioners from various media houses in the Region; endorsement of the gender policy for media houses by 11 senior media executives and publishers; and the organisation of 3 round table conferences to enhance opportunities for female media practitioners.

Poverty Alleviation and other Developmental Initiatives

    Adult Functional Literacy Programme

Since 2003, this programme operates 2 literacy centres and have trained about 100 people, most of whom are female participants. They operate in Ekona and Mile 14 villages in the South West Region.

    IT and Development Project in Lebialem

Working with IDH Spain, NCIG received a consignment of 150 used computers and accessories to supply schools and communities in Lebialem Division. Each delivery trip was accompanied by technical support and servicing from REDEF, a Buea based IT specialised NGO. Work continues with IDH in organising workshops for computer literacy and servicing in Lebialem.