The Farm-School Reaching Out to Local Communities
Because an initiative with a promising future cannot achieve lasting impact without the support of its surrounding environment, the Centre Edimar Princesse Grace (CEPG) organized, in June 2026, an outreach campaign for the farm-school in the Yemessomo group, located in the Awae district.
Through several meetings bringing together communities, traditional authorities, and administrative authorities, this campaign aimed to introduce the farm-school, establish close dialogue, and build relationships of trust around a common goal: offering new prospects for the future to young people in vulnerable situations.
Introducing the Farm-School to the Communities
Two community meetings marked this campaign. The first was held on June 5, 2026, at the chiefdom of Momebilingal I, in the presence of the village chief, notables, and about fifty participants. A second meeting took place on June 19, 2026, at the chiefdom of Mbedoumou, bringing together about thirty people alongside the local traditional authorities.
During these exchanges, the CEPG team presented the vision of the farm-school, its missions, and its approach to the reintegration of vulnerable young people through agropastoral training, community life, and educational support. These meetings also helped dispel certain misconceptions about the farm-school. As one community member put it:
“Every time we saw these children, we thought it was an orphanage. We didn’t know that all these training, farming, livestock, and support activities were taking place here. Today, we have a better understanding of what the farm-school represents for our community.”
Beyond introducing the farm-school, these exchanges allowed the local population to ask questions, share their expectations, and gain a better understanding of the social impact this initiative aims to have on their environment.
Traditional Authorities Standing Alongside the Farm-School
The campaign also helped strengthen ties with customary authorities, whose engagement is essential to supporting the farm-school’s integration within local communities. At the end of the discussions, the Village Chief of Momebilingal I expressed his support for the initiative:
“Our village is pleased to welcome such an initiative. The doors of the chiefdom are wide open to you. We wish to support the farm-school, which represents a genuine opportunity for young people and for the development of our locality.”
These words reflect the communities’ desire to see the farm-school become a full-fledged player in local development, beyond its primary mission of supporting young people.
Strengthened Collaboration with Administrative Authorities
In this same spirit, on June 9, 2026, a delegation from the Centre Edimar Princesse Grace was received by the Sub-Prefect of the Awae district as well as by the Commander of the Elat Brigade. These visits aimed to officially introduce the farm-school to the administrative and security authorities, announce its establishment within their jurisdiction, and lay the groundwork for lasting collaboration. The discussions covered the farm-school’s ambitions, particularly in terms of vocational training, agricultural development, educational support, and the socio-professional integration of young people. They also reaffirmed the CEPG’s commitment to working closely with local authorities to ensure a favorable environment for the development of this initiative.
A Farm-School at the Heart of Its Community
Beyond the meetings organized, this outreach campaign marks an important milestone in the development of the farm-school. Through it, the CEPG reaffirms its commitment to building, together with communities and local authorities, a future where every young person can find their place, develop their potential, and become an active contributor to their community’s development.