In the Northwest Region of Cameroon, where conflict has disrupted daily life for years, access to education has become a significant challenge for many children. For nine-year-old Nafissatou Aliyu, the chance to attend school felt like a distant dream. Like countless others, her family was forced to flee their home in Babanki, Tubah Sub-Division, seeking safety in the Ntabang community of Bamenda 3 Sub-Division. The transition wasn’t easy, but humanitarian support has given Nafissatou a new lease on life.
Nafissatou now resides with her elder sister and a foster mother who welcomed them upon their arrival in Ntabang. Though she faced the uncertainty of displacement, she carried with her a dream to one day become a doctor. However, without access to a school, that dream seemed unattainable.
“They wanted to put me in school,” Nafissatou explained through an interpreter, “but there was no school open when we moved.”
With Funding from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) UNICEF and its implementing partner Green Partners Association (GPA) began to support children like Nafissatou. Together, they have implemented a comprehensive program to restore access to education for out-of-school children, ensuring that their rights to learning and development are not lost. Adopting a multisectoral approach mainstreaming education with additional support from WASH and Child protection aspects.Through this initiative, Nafissatou was able to enrol in a safe learning space within her new community which teaches through the Radio Education program. The program provided her and other children with essential learning materials and trained facilitators to guide their education. Nafissatou’s face lights up when she talks about her school.
“I am happy now. I want to be a doctor,” she says, her ambition reignited by the opportunity to learn.
The humanitarian response goes beyond just providing non-formal education. It offers a sense of normalcy and hope for a better future. For children like Nafissatou, these interventions are transformative. They allow out-of-school children especially Internally displaced children to catch up on lost learning, build confidence, and regain their childhoods.
Despite the challenges she has faced, Nafissatou’s determination remains unshaken. She expresses her gratitude in her native language (Fulfulde), her heartfelt “thank you” a testament to the impact of the humanitarian support she has received.
While Nafissatou’s story showcases the impact of humanitarian efforts, it also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by out-of-school children in North West and South West Cameroon due to the crisis. Thousands of children still lack access to safe learning spaces, educational materials, and trained facilitators. Ensuring every child’s right to education requires sustained investment, stronger partnerships, and continued community engagement.
UNICEF and its partners remain committed to scaling up interventions, but additional support from donors, governments, and stakeholders is essential. Expanding programs to reach more vulnerable children, integrating psychosocial support, and addressing the unique needs of displaced families are critical steps toward building a more inclusive and resilient educational system. Together, we can ensure that every child, like Nafissatou, can learn, thrive, and achieve their dreams.
By UNICEF Implementing Partner GPA and Chungom Emmanuel. Communications Officer UNICEF.