Farm-School Program
The Farm-School is a professional training program for vulnerable youth—especially street children—focused on agricultural careers.
During a visit to a rural village near Yaoundé, a 12-year-old boy said: “Madame Mireille, this place is nice. Let’s stay here.” After many similar experiences, we realised that street children, though willing to work in the fields, often lack the tools and skills needed to be productive and profitable. Additionally, their lack of qualifications prevents them from competing in an already fragile job market in Cameroon.
This program aims to respond to three major concerns:
- Equip vulnerable youth with practical skills in various agricultural professions to allow them to work with dignity.
- Empower them to become job creators.
- Contribute to the rehabilitation of youth struggling with drug addiction.
Our Mission
The program aims to empower street children by teaching them agricultural skills within a boarding school environment that hosts 20 youth per training cycle.
The goal is to support the social and professional reintegration of street youth by providing access to professional agricultural training—a key sector for sustainable reintegration. The farm will operate as a boarding school, offering a structured and safe environment for participants.
It is designed to accommodate up to 20 youth per training cycle, giving them the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop skills that will enable their long-term reintegration into society.
Our Method
Youth receive hands-on and theoretical training, along with psycho-educational and psychological support to foster independence and professional success.
Participants at the Farm-School first undergo a general training phase, followed by specialised instruction based on their chosen agricultural focus. The curriculum consists of 20% theory and 80% practice, delivered by qualified professionals directly at the farm, where the youth live as boarders.
In addition to technical skills, youth benefit from psycho-educational and psychological support to help them overcome emotional and behavioural challenges—ensuring their personal and professional development.
Our Challenges
Still in its pilot phase, the Farm-School faces logistical and energy-related challenges. Vehicles and a solar energy system are crucial to its success.
Currently in an experimental phase, the Farm-School is actively identifying and addressing various operational hurdles. A dormitory building has been constructed and, while not yet fully completed, is already in use, housing a few youth and a peer educator. They are currently working with the first introduced animal and crop productions.
Key challenges include:
- Remote location and poor road access, which make transportation difficult. At least two vehicles (a 4×4 pickup and a motorcycle) are needed.
- Lack of electricity due to isolation, which makes an autonomous solar energy system essential.
- Continued construction of the farm facilities is also a pressing need.
Our Results
The Farm-School boasts ongoing infrastructure development, a growing livestock population, and thriving plantations. Youth are thriving, learning to live and grow in a family-like environment.
So far, we have a partially constructed dormitory, temporary livestock shelters, and a small but diverse herd including pigs, goats, and poultry (chickens, ducks, turkeys). We’ve also planted around 100 banana trees and a variety of fruit trees.
As for the youth, they are flourishing. They are relearning how to live in community, respecting the responsibilities of family life while developing social skills and adapting to a structured daily environment. Their active involvement in the farm’s activities is building their confidence and preparing them for a more stable, empowered future.
