Location: CAMEROON
The Project
A circle of women once hesitant to speak now gather weekly, eyes bright with determination, voices growing stronger. These are the early steps of Sahel Women English Connect (SWEC), a grassroots initiative designed to empower displaced and vulnerable women and girls from the Sahel region of Cameroon through language, leadership, and learning.
Operating in the Tsinga community of Yaoundé, the project combines free English classes with leadership coaching, digital literacy, and vocational skills training. What began as a bold idea to confront systemic exclusion has become a nurturing force for transformation, one where confidence, communication, and community evolve hand in hand.
The Impact of the Seed Grant
The Pollination Project played a pivotal role in turning that vision into tangible progress. With its initial grant, SWEC was able to launch its first cycle of learning sessions, purchase essential materials like notebooks, pens, a laptop, a whiteboard, and even a camera to document the journey. Transportation stipends helped volunteers stay committed despite challenging conditions.
“The grant came at a critical time when we had the passion and vision but lacked the means to act,” said founder Eboude Assoue Akwele.
The funding made it possible to reach over 35 women, most of whom had little to no previous exposure to English. Weekly sessions did more than teach vocabulary; they created a safe space for expression, collective growth, and renewed hope.
“It wasn’t just about language,” she shared. “It was about women realizing they have something to say, and that their voices matter.”
The Future
Encouraged by this initial success, the future of SWEC is already in motion. The next phase will bring English, Digital, STEM, and Debate Clubs to underserved schools, spaces where girls can refine their skills, explore technology, and discover their own leadership potential. Local partnerships and culturally sensitive approaches will continue to guide the work, ensuring sustainability and deeper impact.
“We want to build a network of confident, educated, and empowered girls who can lead change in their schools and beyond,” said Akwele.
The first seeds have taken root. What follows promises to be a flourishing garden of empowered voices, rooted in community and growing toward lasting transformation.
Beyond the financial support, TPP gave us the confidence to believe in the power of small beginnings. It showed us that someone out there believed in our idea and that encouragement alone helped us push through the many challenges we faced.
Eboude Assoue
Eboude Assoue is a committed advocate for education and community development, with a strong track record of grassroots engagement and cross-cultural communication. She currently serves as a Communications Officer for Impact Life Growth and volunteers as a GoGlobal English teacher for Ukrainian students online. With over two years of experience working with diverse communities, she brings valuable expertise in project coordination and effective outreach.
Having spent more than a decade living among Sahel communities in Cameroon, Eboude possesses a deep and personal understanding of the social and educational barriers faced by women and girls in these regions. Her lived experience and professional journey inform her leadership of the Sahel Women English Connect (SWEC) initiative, where she channels her passion and insight to empower women through language, leadership, and learning opportunities.
Join The Pollination Project in seeding a global movement of grassroots change. When we invest in passionate local leaders, small acts of generosity blossom into lasting impact. Every dollar you give takes root in communities, growing into sustainable solutions that touch countless lives.
