:: Cameroon Gatsby Foundation ::

PRESENTATION

Mr. Alamine Ousmane Mey, Gatsby Chairman

The Gatsby Charitable Foundation has been supporting development efforts in Cameroon since 1985 with the funding of research on the development of improved varieties of root crops. This was followed by the distribution of the new varieties to local farmers accompanied by training on the techniques of rapid multiplication of planting materials.

In a country like Cameroon whose economy is principally Agriculture , women play a vital role both in food production and food transformation. Considering the major contribution made by women micro entrepreneurs in the fight against poverty by engaging in a wide variety of income generating activities, the Cameroon Root Crop project gave way in Gatsby Phase II to the Cameroon Gatsby Trust whose mission has been the promotion of women's micro enterprises by supporting self help groups through financial and business development services.

During the past 12 years, CGT's main activity, the women's group loan programme, has reached 35.000 beneficiaries thought 554 groups with a global loan volume of 2.8 billion F CFA. This financial support is accompanied by non financial services such as training in production skills, organisation of 43 Associations of self help groups, and the promotion of marketing of client products. In May 2005, CGT was registered under Cameroon 's Finance law as a Micro Finance Establishment Category 3 in the name of Cameroon Gatsby Foundation.

CGF management is guided by a team of devoted Trustees who share similar visions for sustainable development strategies. Over the years, Trustees have made generous contributions both materially and financially for the success of CGF programmes.

The future of CGF lies in ensuring the sustainability of its programmes. This is achieved by:

The empowerment of the Associations as Gatsby women's Groups;

Tthe identification of appropriate programmes for emerging SMEs;source funding for community development projects identified by associations;

Networking with similar programs through collaboration with other actors in development.

As CGF enters the 13 th year of the Women's Group Loan Program, we wish greater success to all its clients in all their undertakings. It goes without saying that continuous commitment from the Trustees and relentless efforts from the management and staff will go a long way to help in the fulfilment of CGT's mission.

On behalf of the entire family of CGF, we wish to express our most sincere appreciation to The Gatsby Charitable Foundation UK for generously supporting CGF activities in the past. We further count on their continuous and valuable support for the realisation of this Strategic Plan.

We strongly believe in helping people who help themselves. This will continue to guide our actions and we will welcome all those who join CGF in its activities aiming at promoting sustainable development in a socially and environmentally respectful manner.

CGF ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE