2025 Back to School: Sponsor a Child, Transform a Future

As the new school year approaches, Yume Africa is proud to launch its 5th edition of its Back-to-School Campaign for 2025—a heartfelt effort to ensure that 100 children in Cameroon start the academic year with everything they need to succeed.

Our goal is ambitious but deeply necessary: to sponsor 100 students by September, giving them access to education, school supplies, and the confidence to walk into the classroom with pride.

In many parts of Cameroon, especially in the north-west and south-west regions, education is not a given—it’s a privilege. The ongoing Anglophone crisis has disrupted countless schools, displaced families, and forced many children out of the classroom for years. Too many young learners are still waiting for the chance to return to school, to learn in a safe environment, and to rebuild their futures.

At Yume Africa, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and dream—regardless of where they live or the challenges they face. And with your help, we can make that happen.

The Current Status of the Campaign

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we’ve already raised enough to fully sponsor 50 children, so halfway to our goal!

But that also means 50 students are still waiting. Waiting for the school fees that will allow them to register. Waiting for books and supplies that will support their learning. Waiting for someone to believe in their future.

This is where you come in. Your support can help bridge the gap and bring us to the finish line. It’s not about doing it all—it’s about coming together, each of us doing what we can.

The Importance of Education

Education is more than lessons in a classroom—it’s a lifeline.

In Cameroon—especially in the English-speaking North-West and South-West regions—the Anglophone crisis has taken a devastating toll on education. Since 2017, separatist groups have enforced school boycotts, attacked facilities, and kidnapped students and teachers. By mid-2019, over 80% of schools were closed, leaving more than 855,000 children out of school in those areas alone, with attacks continuing since then. Across the country, 1.5 million school-aged children now require urgent educational assistance due to conflict, displacement, floods, and other crises, according to the latest report of UNICEF. 

Girls, in particular, face even greater barriers. Cultural norms, early marriage, and financial constraints often push them out of school, contributing to a gender gap where only 42.5% of girls reach secondary education, compared to higher rates for boys, according to UNFPA. cameroon.unfpa.org.

Despite these challenges, education remains the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. It strengthens communities, opens opportunities, and offers hope—not just for the child, but for entire families. With your support, we can help ensure that every child, regardless of gender or circumstance, gets that chance to learn, grow, and dream.

What Your $100 Covers

Every $100 donated covers one child’s basic needs for the school year, including:

• School Fees: Public education isn’t always free, even in public primary schools. Schools impose APE or additional fees to cover the wages of additional tutors due to the lack of enough teachers sent by the government in this area. Registration, APE fees, and exam costs can prevent a child from enrolling.

• Books: Textbooks and learning materials are vital to keep up with the curriculum and fully participate in class.

• School Supplies: Notebooks, pens, pencils, rulers, and other materials help students stay organized and engaged.

• Shoes: Many children walk long distances to school—sturdy shoes ensure they get there safely and with dignity.

• School Bags: A reliable bag helps children carry their materials and feel confident and prepared.

This small investment can make a world of difference.

How You Can Help our Back-To-School campaign

There are several ways you can support the campaign:

• Make a Donation: Every $100 sponsors one student, but any amount helps us get closer to our goal.

• Fundraise with Us: Organize a small event, join our peer-to-peer fundraising campaign, or create a giving challenge in your community.

• Spread the Word: Share our campaign with your network. Awareness is powerful.

• Matching Gifts: If your employer offers a matching donation program, your impact could be doubled.

Visit our campaign page and our website to contribute and explore all the ways to get involved.

Impact of Your Support

In past campaigns, your generosity has helped students like Aissatou, a 12-year-old girl from the North-West, who once struggled to attend school consistently. With support from Yume Africa, she now attends regularly, ranks top of her class, and dreams of becoming a teacher.

Your donations have led to:

• Higher attendance rates

• Better academic performance

• A renewed sense of hope in entire communities

We also stay connected with our supporters and sponsors through regular posts on our accounts on the different social media platforms, email updates, and newsletters, so you can see the real impact of your contribution.

Conclusion

We are so close to our goal—just 50 more students to go.

By joining this effort, you’re not just giving money. You’re giving a child the tools to believe in themselves. You’re investing in their future and showing them that they matter.

Let’s cross this finish line together. 💛