About ASWEDO Cameroon

Learn about our mission, values, team, and approach to empowering women and youth across Cameroon

Our Story

Founded in 2009, ASWEDO Cameroon has been at the forefront of women's empowerment and youth development initiatives across the Southwest Region of Cameroon.

ASWEDO (Association for the Support of Women's Entrepreneurship and Development) was established in response to the growing need for sustainable economic opportunities for women and youth in Cameroon. Our founders recognized that empowering women with entrepreneurial skills and providing youth with vocational training would create lasting positive change in communities.

Over the past 15 years, we have grown from a small community initiative to a recognized non-governmental organization impacting thousands of lives across multiple regions. Our work focuses on addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality by equipping women and youth with practical skills, knowledge, and resources.

Based in Buea, we have expanded our reach to remote communities, adapting our programs to meet local needs while maintaining our core mission of fostering sustainable development through entrepreneurship and skills training.

ASWEDO Team in Community

Our Mission & Vision

Guided by our core purpose and aspirations for the future

Our Mission

To empower women and youth through entrepreneurship training, skills development, and community support initiatives that foster economic independence, social inclusion, and sustainable development in Cameroon.

Our Vision

We envision a Cameroon where all women and youth have equal opportunities to realize their potential, contribute to their communities, and participate fully in the economic and social development of the nation.

Our Core Values

The principles that guide everything we do

Gender Equality

We believe in equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for women and men, girls and boys.

Integrity

We maintain honesty, transparency, and accountability in all our operations and relationships.

Community Focus

We work with and for communities, respecting local knowledge and promoting community ownership.

Innovation

We continuously seek creative solutions to address development challenges in our communities.

Our Team

Meet the dedicated individuals driving our mission forward

Lilian Akwen

Founder and Coordinator

Leads community-driven initiatives focused on empowerment, inclusion, and long-term impact.

Mokom Noella

GBV Field Coordinator

Oversees GBV response and prevention efforts within local communities, ensuring safe access to support.

Bih Jasmine

Youth Coordinator

Engages young people in community projects, life skills training, and leadership development.

Martin Wanki

Education Empowerment Officer

Facilitates access to learning opportunities and supports education-based outreach in underserved areas.

Mbah Patrick

Social Worker

Delivers frontline support and links vulnerable community members to essential services and care.

Our Approach

How we create sustainable impact in communities

Community-Led Development

We work with communities to identify their specific needs and priorities, ensuring our programs are relevant and sustainable. Community members actively participate in planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Hands-On Training

Our training programs emphasize practical skills that can be immediately applied. We combine classroom learning with real-world practice to ensure participants gain confidence and competence.

Holistic Support

Beyond skills training, we provide mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to resources that help women and youth overcome barriers to success.

Sustainable Impact

We focus on creating programs that continue to benefit communities long after our direct involvement ends, building local capacity and fostering self-reliance.

Our Partners

We collaborate with organizations that share our commitment to empowerment and development

MINPROFF

Government Ministry

UNDP Cameroon

UN Agency

Plan International

International NGO

Buea Council

Local Government

Community Groups

Grassroots Organizations

Youth Associations

Community Organizations

Our Governance

Committed to transparency and accountability in all our operations

ASWEDO Cameroon is a registered non-governmental, non-profit organization under Cameroonian law. Our registration number is 0000/E.29/1111/VOL.8/ALPAS, affirming our legal status and commitment to operating with integrity.

We are governed by a Board of Directors that provides strategic oversight and ensures we remain true to our mission. The Board comprises professionals with expertise in community development, gender issues, finance, and law.

Our operations are guided by a comprehensive set of policies including financial management procedures, child protection policies, and gender mainstreaming guidelines. We maintain transparent financial records and undergo regular internal and external audits.

ASWEDO is committed to accountability to our beneficiaries, partners, donors, and the communities we serve. We regularly evaluate our programs and share results with stakeholders to ensure continuous improvement and maximum impact.