Our story

Rooted in Community.
Built for the Future.

Since 2019, we've been building a thriving South West Region — guided by a belief that local people are the most powerful agents of change.

How it began

From a Vision
to a Movement

Founded in Buea in 2019, the Mount Cameroon Youth & Community Foundation was established by local educators, entrepreneurs, and development professionals who believed that community transformation starts with empowering young people.

Inspired by the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of communities around Mount Cameroon — Africa's highest peak west of the Rift Valley — the organization began by offering leadership workshops and youth mentorship programs.

Over time, MCYCF expanded into education support, women's economic empowerment, environmental protection, and business development. What started as a small network of changemakers in Buea now reaches communities across three regions of Cameroon.

Today, MCYCF serves as a platform that connects youth to opportunity, women to economic independence, and communities to environmental stewardship — all grounded in the values that the landscape of Mount Cameroon itself embodies: resilience, growth, and permanence.

Registered Non-Profit · Reg. No. SW/NGO/2019/2258 · South West Region, Cameroon
What drives us

Mission, Vision & Values

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Our Mission

To empower youth, women, and vulnerable communities through education, entrepreneurship, environmental conservation, and leadership development — creating lasting change across Cameroon.

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Our Vision

A thriving South West Region where every young person has the opportunity to learn, lead, and prosper — and where communities are active stewards of their own development.

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Our Approach

We work through locally led programs, community partnerships, and evidence-based methods that address root causes — not just symptoms. Every initiative is co-designed with the communities we serve.

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Leadership

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Service

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Integrity

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Inclusion

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Sustainability

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Photo coming soon

2019 Year Founded
Our founder

Dr. Vanessa Epie Mbua

Founder & Executive Director

Dr. Vanessa Epie Mbua is a social entrepreneur and development strategist dedicated to advancing youth and community development across Cameroon. With a background in public policy and nonprofit leadership, she has led numerous initiatives focused on education, entrepreneurship, and environmental sustainability.

Driven by a conviction that communities hold the answers to their own challenges, Dr. Mbua established MCYCF to create a structured platform through which local talent, energy, and ideas could be mobilized at scale. Under her leadership, the organization has grown from a small youth mentorship initiative into a multi-program foundation serving three regions of Cameroon.

She is a trusted voice in the Cameroonian development sector and continues to build partnerships with international NGOs, government bodies, universities, and corporate partners committed to sustainable community development.

The people behind the work

Our Team

A dedicated group of professionals united by a shared belief in the power of community-led development.

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Dr. Vanessa Epie Mbua

Founder & Executive Director

Social entrepreneur and development strategist with a background in public policy and nonprofit leadership, guiding MCYCF's overall vision and strategy.

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Eric Mbah

Programs Director

Leads strategic implementation of all development programs, ensuring quality, impact measurement, and alignment with community needs across all three regions.

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Linda Mokake

Community Engagement Manager

Coordinates partnerships and grassroots mobilization activities, serving as the primary bridge between MCYCF and the communities we serve.

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Martin Teke

Finance & Compliance Officer

Ensures accountability, reporting, and financial sustainability — maintaining the highest standards of transparency for all donors, partners, and stakeholders.

Together we achieve more

Partners & Affiliates

We work alongside organizations that share our commitment to community-led development across Africa.

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South West Youth Network

Youth Development
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Green Cameroon Initiative

Environmental Conservation
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Women in Enterprise Africa

Women's Economic Empowerment

Interested in partnering with MCYCF? partnerships@mcycf.org

Our journey

Five Years of Growth

2019

Foundation Established

MCYCF registered in Buea, South West Region. First leadership workshops and youth mentorship programs launch with a cohort of 80 students from four secondary schools.

2020

Women Rise Initiative Launched

The Women Rise Initiative launches with 60 women entrepreneurs. Despite COVID-19 challenges, the program pivots to digital delivery, reaching communities across the South West Region.

2021

Environmental Program Begins

Mount Cameroon Green Future launches with the first community tree-planting campaign. Partnerships formed with Green Cameroon Initiative and local schools.

2022–23

Regional Expansion

Programs expand into the Littoral and Centre Regions. Cumulative reach crosses 20,000 lives. 850 women complete the entrepreneurship program. Annual Leadership Summit established.

2024

100,000 Trees Campaign Launches

The flagship environmental project — 100,000 Trees for Mount Cameroon — launches in June 2024 with a five-year roadmap. 20,000 trees planted in the first six months.

2025–26

Buea Youth Innovation Hub Opens

The Buea Youth Innovation Hub opens its co-working space in January 2026. Over 45,000 lives reached. 50,000 trees planted. MCYCF now serves as a model for community-led development in Cameroon.

Join us

Be Part of the Story

Whether you donate, volunteer, or partner with us — every action contributes to a thriving South West Region. The next chapter starts with you.

Get Involved → See Our Programs