Can we meet you?
I am Atemkeng Cynthia, a 23-years-old Cameroonian. Singing and acting are my favorite hobbies.
Tell us briefly your childhood experience.
Growing up was not easy for me because I had a physical condition that made it difficult for me to move about and play like other children in the neighborhood.
What’s your educational background?
I began my educational journey at Government Primary School, Nguti. I then moved to Diligent Bilingual High School, Kumba for my secondary education. I hold a degree in Special Education from University of Buea, the pioneer Anglo-Saxon university in Cameroon founded in 1993.
What are your contributions towards making your country a better place?
I am the founder of CYNDIBLESS Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Cameroon that advocate for inclusivity for people living with disabilities. We don’t just advocate, we go a step further to train and empower PWDs with skills that help do more with their lives without having to depend on others.
What steps did you take to bring your vision to fruition?
Community development is a mirage without proper engagement with leaders. The first step I took was to engage leaders in my community and began capacity building.
What have been your achievements?
Our primary target at CYNDIBLESS Foundation is to empower people with special needs with skills to increase their chances of becoming self-reliant. We have been able to train over 500 young youth in Cameroon on leadership, capacity and peace building. Our work at CYNDIBLESS Foundation has earned me the Best Community Leader Award by Lois International Humanitarian Foundation
We have trained 400 persons with special needs on entrepreneurship and leadership building. Our entrepreneurial training covers ICT, catering and fashion. We have collaborated with organizations like Sustain Afric and Amaan Foundation in furtherance of our objectives.
What motivated you to do what you are doing?
My life is my motivation. I have seen that despite my disability, I am able to explore my talents to benefit others and I want everyone with special need to have the same testimony.
What has been your major challenge since you began your nonprofit organization?
Like many nonprofit organizations in Africa, funding is a major challenge. But we have kept faith alive and commit to doing our best with what we have.
How have you been able to raise money to implement your ideas?
Individual donations have been a major source of funding for us. When we host our vocational training, people are usually motivated to give to help us do more.
Could you share with us one or two experience(s) you have had in the course of your campaign that has impacted on you?
During one of our vocational training for women with visual impairment, my heart was overwhelmed by the determination of the women to learn even when it was difficult. I was so encouraged to know that what I was doing was giving others the opportunity to demonstrate that they too can.
What are your prospects in the next 5 or 10 years?
We want to reach and empower a greater percentage of African youths with special needs.
What do you think is the major cause of unemployment in Africa, and how can we get over this?
Many governments in Africa don’t have an economic recovery plan neither is there a clearly defined strategy for poverty alleviation or job creation. Our government needs to think more and come out with policies and strategies that work.
If you had an opportunity to speak to presidents in Africa, what would be your message?
African leaders must begin to embrace people-centered leadership.
Thank you for speaking with us.
It's my pleasure.
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