I am Sonia Buma, a native of Bamenda, Cameroon. Since childhood, my father instilled in me the importance of education in achieving one’s dreams. My aspiration has always been to contribute to the growth and development of my community and country. Thankfully, I became the first MasterCard Foundation scholar from Cameroon, which afforded me the opportunity to study International Development at McGill University on a full scholarship. While pursuing my degree, I co-led a collaborative community-building initiative in Cameroon that involved constructing a water tank, a biogas digester, and empowering women to run their own ginger farm and retail business. These projects were running smoothly until the outbreak of the crisis in Cameroon in 2016, which adversely impacted my projects and my family. I have lost three dear uncles and friends since the crisis began.

Given the disruptive situation in Cameroon, I refused to let circumstances dictate my path and instead chose to explore alternative ways to aid those affected by the crisis. Consequently, I co-founded Hope for Cameroon. Our primary focus is to provide assistance to vulnerable internally displaced persons in Cameroon as a result of the crisis. Since our inception, our goal has been to prioritize the needs of women, youth, and children who have been among the most vulnerable populations affected by the crisis. We are working tirelessly to ensure that these individuals have access to the necessary resources to rebuild their lives and thrive despite the challenges they face. With Hope for Cameroon, we hope to make a positive impact and contribute to the growth and development of our beloved country.