• Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARDEP)

Project Title: Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in the Diocese of Buea

Project Number: 121-007-1061 ZG

Duration: January 1, 2018 – March 31, 2021

Funding: MISEREOR/Katholische Zentralstelle für Entwicklungshilfe e.V.

Location: Département du Fako, South West Region, Cameroon

Project Overview

The Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Project aimed to enhance food security and improve the livelihoods of agro-pastoral communities in the Diocese of Buea. This initiative focused on promoting sustainable agricultural practices, increasing household incomes, and fostering community resilience in the face of socio-political challenges.

Key Objectives

Support Farmers’ Organizations: Facilitate the emergence of competitive farmers’ groups to enhance market access.

Promote Sustainable Agriculture: Transform household farming practices to sustainable methods.

Increase Household Incomes: Diversify agricultural production and improve income levels through better practices.

Achievements

Beneficiaries: Supported 600 households; adjusted to 165 households due to the socio-political crisis.

Income Improvement: Increased average household income by over 100%, with many families investing in modern farming techniques.

Training and Workshops: Conducted seminars on sustainable practices, enabling farmers to adopt healthier and more productive methods.

Community Engagement: Strengthened community ties through cooperative farming initiatives and shared resources.

Challenges Faced

The project faced significant hurdles, including:

Ongoing socio-political instability affecting access to certain areas.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated changes in operational strategies.

Conclusion

Despite challenges, the SARDEP project successfully empowered local farmers, fostering resilience and sustainable practices in the Diocese of Buea. The lessons learned from this project will inform future initiatives, enhancing our approach to community development in the region.

• Project to Reduce the Effects of the Socio-Political Crisis among Vulnerable Populations in Fako

Project Title: Project to Reduce the Effects of the Socio-Political Crisis

Project Number: 121-007-1064 ZG

Duration: January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2021

Funding: MISEREOR/Katholische Zentralstelle für Entwicklungshilfe e.V.

Location: Département du Fako, South West Region, Cameroon

Project Overview

This project aimed to alleviate the impact of the ongoing socio-political crisis on vulnerable populations in the Diocese of Buea. Through emergency relief and support initiatives, the project sought to improve living conditions and uphold human rights for affected communities.

Objectives

Promote Human Dignity: Organize conferences to raise awareness and respect for human rights.

Enhance Access to Basic Services: Provide support to vulnerable families through food, hygiene kits, and medical assistance.

Empower Communities: Establish self-promotion groups to foster community resilience and resource mobilization.

Improve Income Situations: Support micro-initiatives for the integration of war victims and internally displaced persons.

Achievements

Assisted over 8,800 families with food and hygiene kits, medical care, and educational support.

Established 33 self-promotion groups, exceeding the initial target of 25, to support community mobilization.

Sponsored 57 micro-projects to promote sustainable livelihoods for affected families.

Challenges Faced

The project operated amidst significant socio-political instability and the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted access to certain areas and limited large gatherings.

Conclusion

Despite the challenges, the project successfully enhanced the resilience and dignity of vulnerable communities in Fako. The lessons learned will inform future interventions aimed at supporting those affected by ongoing crises.

• Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Project (SARDEP)

Project Number: 121-007-1049 ZG

Duration: January 2015 – December 2017

Partner: MISEREOR

Overview:

SARDEP was a pioneering initiative implemented by Caritas Diocese of Buea with financial support from MISEREOR. The project aimed to promote sustainable agriculture, improve rural livelihoods, and foster self-reliance among farming communities across four divisions in the South-West Region of Cameroon.

Key Objectives:

Empower smallholder farmers to take control of their development.

Encourage community self-organization and mutual learning.

Improve production systems through sustainable farming practices.

Major Achievements:

33 community groups formed and supported.

26 micro-projects implemented across poultry, goat and fish farming, maize, cassava, and vegetable cultivation, among others.

Over 9,900 community members engaged through 882 meetings.

Adoption of key sustainable techniques: composting, Bokashi, mulching, organic pesticides, and improved livestock breeds.

Establishment of training manuals, fertilization standards, and locally driven monitoring tools.

Recognition and appreciation from community leaders, Caritas Council, and external evaluators.

Impact:

SARDEP significantly boosted household incomes, enhanced food security, and deepened local knowledge of eco-friendly agricultural methods. It also strengthened Caritas Buea’s role as a credible partner for rural development.

External Evaluation Highlight:

“SARDEP is viewed by communities as the real tool to alleviate poverty and improve living conditions… It has achieved impressive results in behavior change, productivity, and sustainability.”

4) Agro-Ecology and Rural Development in Fako Division

Project No: 121-007-1070 ZG
Duration: February 2022 – January 2025
Partner: MISEREOR / KZE
Location: Fako Division, South West Region, Cameroon

Overview:
This three-year initiative was led by Caritas Diocese of Buea with funding from MISEREOR. The project empowered 630 rural and displaced households in Fako Division to adopt agroecological practices that improve food security, increase crop and livestock productivity, and boost income while ensuring environmental sustainability.

Objectives & Achievements:

Improved Farm Productivity: Over 437 households increased crop diversity and yields through training in composting, organic fertilizer production, and seed selection.

Food Security: By project end, 411 households reported measurable improvements in food quantity, diversity, and nutrition.

Livestock Development: Households raised livestock using local inputs and ethno-veterinary methods, increasing herd sizes and profit margins.

Land Access for IDPs: 126 displaced households gained access to interim farmland via lobbying and advocacy.

Capacity Building: Extension officers guided farmers in record-keeping, organic farming, and sustainable animal husbandry.

Impact:
The project fostered long-term agricultural self-reliance and community resilience in a conflict-affected region. Farmers now manage their own compost and livestock systems, significantly improving food availability and household income with minimal external input.

Sustainability:
Through localized skills training, on-farm infrastructure, and formal agreements for land use, the project’s benefits continue beyond the funding period. IDPs and host communities alike maintain productive farms and sustainable practices independently.

5) Community Psychosocial Support for Orphans and Vulnerable Children

Project Number: A 23 0113 001
Duration: August 2023 – July 2024
Location: Diocese of Buea, Cameroon
Funder:KINDERMISSIONSWERK

Overview:
This project addressed the urgent needs of 300 orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and their foster families affected by the Anglophone Crisis in the South West Region. Implemented by Caritas Diocese of Buea, the project provided psychosocial support, education, healthcare, food, and economic empowerment in 12 communities.

Key Achievements:

Education Access: All 300 children enrolled and supported; 98% completed the school year.

Legal Identity: 319 birth certificates sponsored; 111 issued, 208 pending council processing.

Health & Hygiene: 300 hygiene kits and bedding sets provided, benefiting 1,163 children.

Food Security: Food packages reached 1,159 children across 300 households.

Economic Empowerment: 240 households received livelihood support, with 97% of businesses still operating post-project, generating income to support children’s welfare.

Psychosocial Recovery: Trauma healing for 228 children; rated 9.79/10 in beneficiary satisfaction.

Sustainability Impact:
Supported businesses yielded weekly incomes of 4,000–9,000 FCFA, enabling families to meet basic needs, invest in education, and become self-reliant. Positive parenting and child protection training equipped guardians with tools to support children long-term.

Participant Voices:

“I am an Amazing Child!” – a phrase adopted by children during therapy, symbolizing restored dignity and resilience.

Challenges Faced:

Delays in administrative processes for birth registration

Cultural barriers and difficulties tracing some beneficiaries

Lessons Learned:
Robust needs assessments, community involvement, strong monitoring systems, and planning for sustainability are key to project success and post-project continuity.