Cameroon Development and Education Foundation
Who We Are
CADEF CAMEROON is a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting and empowering women and children across underserved communities. Through a rights-based and community-driven approach, CADEF promotes education, gender equality, and child protection to ensure that all children — especially girls — thrive in safe, inclusive, and opportunity-rich environments.
Our purpose
Our Mission
To empower communities through education, gender equality, child protection, and sustainable development, fostering a brighter future for all children and families within Cameroon and Africa.
Our Vision
A world where every child and community thrives in a safe, equitable, and sustainable environment, with access to quality education and opportunities for growth.
Our Values
Our direction
Our Goals
- To ensure every child in Cameroon has access to quality education and a safe learning environment.
- To promote gender equality and empower women and girls in Cameroon communities.
- To protect Cameroon children from all forms of violence, abuse, and exploitation.
- To enhance community resilience and sustainable development in Cameroon.
- To address and mitigate the impacts of climate change in Cameroon regions.
Our Objectives
- To promote free, equal access to quality education for all children in Cameroon.
- To protect children from violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
- To improve the health of children and young people through access to primary health care, including sexual and reproductive health services.
- To empower women and girls in Cameroon through various socio-economic initiatives.
- To respond to humanitarian needs before, during, and after disasters and conflicts.
- To address climate change by promoting sustainable practices, environmental education, and community resilience in Cameroon.
- To enhance community resilience and sustainable development through capacity building, resource management, and local partnerships.
- To ensure access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene for all communities in Cameroon, promoting health, dignity, and development.
Our identity and background
Founded in 2013 and officially accredited by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), CADEF works across Cameroon and other parts of Africa to advance the dignity and potential of those most at risk. Our programs are rooted in compassion, advocacy, and sustainable development, empowering individuals and institutions to become agents of change.
Our six programme pillars
What We Do
We protect children’s rights and advance equality for girls through these interconnected areas of work.
Education, Early Childhood Development and Skills
Supporting inclusive education, early learning and practical skills for children and young people.
Explore this pillar →Child Protection, Safeguarding and Social Accountability
Protecting children from violence and abuse, promoting safeguarding and strengthening community accountability.
Explore this pillar →Gender Equality, SRHR and Women’s Empowerment
Advancing gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and opportunities for women and girls.
Explore this pillar →Health, Nutrition, WASH and Wellbeing
Promoting health, nutrition, safe water, sanitation and the wellbeing of children and communities.
Explore this pillar →Climate Action, Environment and Resilient Livelihoods
Supporting environmental learning, climate resilience and sustainable community livelihoods.
Explore this pillar →Humanitarian Action and Community Resilience
Supporting protection, preparedness, response and recovery for communities affected by emergencies.
Explore this pillar →Selected project records · 2022
Our Work in Action
Explore these documented examples of CADEF’s community work. For more recent activities and reporting periods, visit Projects and Programmes and Results and Impact.
Community WASH support
Water, sanitation and hygiene activities · 2022
Read the project record →
Community child protection
Community participation in children’s protection · 2022
Read the project record →
Children’s voices and protection
Rescue Our Children from Harmful Practices · 2022
Read the project record →For donors and partners
Support rooted in community needs
Community participation
Our approach connects education, protection, health and empowerment with the priorities of underserved communities.
Explore community stories →Evidence and accountability
Review dated project records, documented results and governance information to understand our work and the basis for partnership.
Projects and programmes →Governance and accountability →
Work with us for children, girls and communities
Explore how your organisation, skills or support can contribute to CADEF’s community work.
