As the new school year approaches in Cameroon, stark inequalities continue to shape children’s access to education.
While some students return to classrooms with new supplies and crisp uniforms, others face exclusion due to the lack of basic materials such as notebooks, bags, or uniforms, widening the gap in educational opportunities.
The ASAF Foundation is calling for greater inclusivity, highlighting the importance of supporting children’s development beyond traditional schooling.
The summer holidays, often seen as a period of rest, are experienced very differently across socioeconomic backgrounds. For many teenagers, these months are a time to demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit, engaging in small businesses—selling doughnuts, washing cars, or performing repairs—to fund their return to school.
Yet, for others, circumstances force them into precarious work, exposing them to exploitation and denying them recreational and educational activities essential for healthy growth.
Recognising this, the ASAF Foundation, led by Eran Moas, emphasises the role of creativity, culture, and sports in fostering children’s personal and social development. Football tournaments and local cultural initiatives are helping to build social cohesion and provide outlets for psychological and emotional well-being.
Taking this commitment further, the foundation, in partnership with Cameroonian writer Djaili Amal Amadou, its goodwill ambassador, has launched its first-ever writing competition for young people aged 8 to 16.
Under the theme “Telling Tomorrow,” the initiative encourages children to articulate their dreams, hopes, and vision for the future. Writing workshops, hosted in the Djaili Amal Amadou libraries in Douala and Maroua, provide spaces for creative expression, nurturing imagination and personal growth.
The libraries remain open throughout the holidays, ensuring educational continuity and offering young people permanent access to reading, dialogue, and cultural engagement.
Winners of the competition will receive back-to-school prizes, while all participants are awarded school bags, recognising their commitment and creativity.
In a country where material inequalities threaten regular schooling, the ASAF Foundation’s initiative offers a concrete response. By combining education, creativity, and inclusivity, it seeks to ensure that every child in Cameroon has the opportunity to learn, grow, and envision a brighter future.
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