Organic Garden Supporter is an effort to effectively bring about sustainable responses to organic farming and agribusiness challenges among disadvantaged youth and small holder farmers in rural communities of the North west Region of Cameroon. Most of our rural communities are considered undeserved because agriculture is their major economic resource and a couple of factors are limiting growth in farming and agribusinesses such as, subsistence focus, inadequate access to knowledge and technology, poor inconsistent quality and limited unscientific application of input, inadequate access to financial services, and other social and non economic aspects.
Socio Economic Resource Group's team counter measures the above factors by prioritizing investments in disadvantaged young people and smallholder farmers to enable them acquire the knowledge on how to manage farms and crops and start new ventures.This volunteer project is aimed at helping those affected by unemployment, limited education in regards to commercial farming, agribusiness practices and other extreme disadvantages that are faced by the rural communities of the North West Region of Cameroon.
As a volunteer in the organic farming project, you will support the establishment and management of organic crop nurseries, which is formed to distribute organic crops seedlings for free to small holder farmers and maintenance of demonstration gardens. The work in the nursery includes: hoeing, planting, weeding, irrigating and other related works. Volunteers will also work on the farm and vegetable gardens of small holder farmers, where they can learn about organic farming and its importance.
However, those whom are interested in outdoor activities, nature and agriculture can also participate in the project.
The project will be hosted in the rural community of Nforya. It is located in the outskirts of Bamenda, about 40 minutes drive from the Bamenda main market. It has a beautiful landscape and natural attractions where some wild animals ( rabbits, bush cats and birds) can be seen.
This program will help mostly the youth and small holder farmers to break out of the cycle that entraps unskilled and resource poor rural community inhabitants. Unfortunate victims will mature into well trained, gainfully employed and self sufficient farmers. Most of these empowered rural poor are the pillars of their family, communities and the nation at large. When the youthful generation is educated, the growth and economic status of the entire nation is propelled forward and transformed. Empowered farmers will feed the entire nation and beyond.
On arrival, all volunteers will attend an orientation session in Bamenda. The aim of this session is to help the volunteers build a team and also to share with them some practical information about the country, the host community and their volunteer project.
Volunteers can join this program for the duration of their choice between July 14th 2017 and Juli 31th 2018.
Volunteers will tilize their free time by taking advantage of what the region offers in relation to cultural and natural attractions. The area is rich with historical, natural and cultural sites.
During week ends, volunteers can take a trip to lake oku, Mt Oku and the kilum forest.
They can also visit the Savanna Botanic Garden. The garden is home to more than 260 species of plants.
No special or particular expertise/skills required. However a potential participant for this project should be interested in agricultural, environmental and socio cultural activities.
All program fees are charged directly by Socio Economic Resource Group.
Socio Economic Resource Group (your host organization) provides consulting and is keen to answer all your questions. Once you reserved your spot, you will receive the contact details of your volunteer project.
You can volunteer at the project site in Bamenda/Cameroon between 2 weeks and 48 weeks. Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated and subject to exchange rate fluctuations. Socio Economic Resource Group will let you know about the final price during your application process.
Your final payment will be agreed with Socio Economic Resource Group during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.