"Thanks to this sewing machine, I was able to buy school supplies for my child and, above all, pay for his schooling," Geneviève proudly states, reflecting on her newfound ability to provide for her family.

In the heart of the Far North region of Cameroon, Geneviève found herself navigating the harsh realities of life after being abandoned by her husband during her pregnancy. Like many in her community, she faced significant challenges, including economic hardship, social isolation, and the looming threat of extremist influences. Vulnerable and desperate, Geneviève was at risk of being drawn into the clutches of groups like Boko Haram, which prey on those searching for hope and belonging.

"From time to time, I worked in people's homes to get a bit of money. I washed their dishes, looked after their children, cleaned their house," she recalls, describing the difficult circumstances that defined her early years as a single mother.

Without hope, Geneviève returned to her mother’s home in Koza, located in the Mayo Tsanaga Division of Cameroon’s Far North Region. For over a decade, she struggled to create a stable life for her son with limited employment opportunities.

However, in February 2024, Geneviève's fortunes began to change dramatically. The turning point came with the launch of the Programme d’appui à la résilience Communautaire au Cameroun (PARC Project), or Community Resilience Support Program in Cameroon in English. This pivotal initiative, funded by the U.S. Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by FHI 360, is dedicated to empowering civil society, particularly women and youth, in the Far North Region. With a focus on economic independence and community resilience, the PARC Project provided Geneviève with the support she so desperately needed.

As part of a collaboration with the Association des Jeunes de Joli Soir de Koza (AJJK), Geneviève, along with 37 other women, received sewing machines and participated in a comprehensive three-month training program. During this training, she learned the fundamentals of garment making and design, equipping her with the skills necessary to start her own business.

"Thanks to this sewing machine, I was able to buy school supplies for my child and, above all, pay for his schooling," Geneviève proudly states, reflecting on her newfound ability to provide for her family.

In addition to the sewing machines, AJJK distributed 100 socio-professional integration kits containing masonry and carpentry tools, enabling participants to launch multiple income-generating activities immediately upon completion of their training. With her new sewing skills, Geneviève began crafting clothes that she sells to community members in Koza.

Geneviève's journey has surpassed personal success; she is now committed to fostering entrepreneurship within her village. She is actively training two other women in sewing, ensuring that they, too, can secure their own income and build better futures for their families. Through her actions, she has become a role model of resilience and empowerment, inspiring others to recognize their potential and seize available opportunities.

Through training and resources provided by the PARC Project, Geneviève acquired essential skills that enabled her to start her own small business. No longer defined by her hardships, she emerged as a beacon of hope and resilience in her community. Her story illustrates the profound impact of the PARC initiative, showcasing how targeted support can transform lives, fostering empowerment and stability. Today, Geneviève stands not only as a successful entrepreneur but also as an inspiration to others, proving that with the right opportunities, hope can flourish even in the most challenging circumstances.

The PARC Project, alongside the determination of women like Geneviève, demonstrates the transformative impact of targeted support and community resilience in the Far North Region of Cameroon. Since June 2022, this initiative has positively impacted the lives of over ten thousand women and youth, empowering them to move from precarity to resilience. The generosity of the American people, through the support of the U.S. Government via USAID and FHI360, is crucial in promoting peace and creating a brighter future for the region.

ABOUT PARC CAMEROON

The Programme d’appui à la résilience Communautaire au Cameroun (PARC Project) is a five-year initiative (March 2022 - February 2027) with an investment of $11 million or CAF XAF 6.6 billion funded by the U.S. Government through USAID and implemented by FHI 360 in the Far North region of Cameroon, an area grappling with significant challenges related to terrorism and violence, particularly from groups like Boko Haram. The overarching aim of the PARC Project is to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Far North to provide quality services to the communities they serve, thereby enhancing resilience and reducing vulnerability to extremist influences.

The project specifically focuses on ten communities in three key areas of the Far North: Mayo Sawa, Mayo Tsanaga, and Diamaré, in its first phase. The initiative aims to support CSOs primarily engaged in governance, peace and security, and countering violent extremism (CVE), with special attention to organizations working with women and youth. By bolstering the capabilities of these organizations, the PARC Project seeks to empower them to better respond to community needs and challenges.

In addition to capacity strengthening, the project includes the provision of small grants to these CSOs, enabling them to undertake essential services and programs that align with their missions. This approach not only fosters local ownership and engagement but also helps mitigate the risk of individuals turning to violence by providing them with the resources and support necessary for building sustainable livelihoods.

The project is managed from Maroua in the Far North, with the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CPDH) serving as the liaison office in Yaoundé. On the USAID side, oversight is provided by the USAID West Africa office in collaboration with the USAID Country Representative in Cameroon. Through its comprehensive and community-driven strategy, the PARC Project aims to build resilience and hope, addressing the root causes of radicalization and fostering a more peaceful and stable environment in the Far North region of Cameroon.