Access to Education in Cameroon

The 40,000 Baka, Bagyeli and Bakola 'Pygmy' people who live in the rainforest regions of Cameroon suffer alarming levels of poverty. Many of these traditionally nomadic forest dwelling peoples have been driven out of forest and forced to settle on the edges of farming villages, where they eke out a living as farm labourers. They are often likened to animals by the rest of Cameroonian society, and denied rights to land, health services and education. This makes it impossible for them to improve their situation.

Therefore it is extremely rare for Baka, Bagyeli and Bakola to enter, let alone complete, secondary school. This lack of formal education exacerbates the disadvantages faced by communities, leaving them open to exploitation and exclusion of the worst kind.

A new Rainforest Foundation UK project underway in Cameroon aims to promote Baka, Bagyeli and Bakola communities’ confidence, through education of its young people, so that they have the skills and tools to shape their own futures and to stand up for their rights.

Twenty young people and five community mentors are being selected by communities and partner organisations.