About Us
WHO WE ARE
Local Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISUDEV) is a non-profit organization that addresses the challenges faced by underprivileged populations and communities in Cameroon. LISUDEV was established in 2020 and legalized in 2022 (under Cameroon Law No. 90/053 of 19 December 1990) to transform lives at the grassroots level. We work to bridge the gaps in Healthcare, Clean Water and Sanitation, Education, Agriculture, and Women’s and Girls’ empowerment. We exist to improve the quality of life, promote well-being, and reduce poverty among underprivileged populations and communities in Cameroon.
OUR STORY
LISUDEV was founded by Afor Rene Aza’ah alongside a group of passionate women from the North West Region of Cameroon. The organization was founded in response to the multifaceted challenges of poverty, inequality, and limited access to essential services such as Healthcare, Clean Water and Sanitation that has led to the death of many women and children in underserved communities. Concerned with the plight of the underprivileged, particularly women and children, the group that made up of educators, healthcare professionals, and agriculturalists decided to serve the population. We began by educating women, children, young girls, and community members on the importance of education, menstrual hygiene, and good health. We quickly became interested in not only serving those in our communities, but also to improve the lives of all vulnerable persons in rural and hard-to-reach communities in Cameron, promoting access to Education, Healthcare, Clean Water and Sanitation, Agriculture, and Women and Girls’ empowerment. Our initiatives work towards meeting UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6.
LISUDEV was founded on the premise that it is essential to prioritize the needs and ambitions of poor and vulnerable people in rural communities, empowering them to take responsibility for their communities. All of the organization’s work aims to build a healthy and sustainable society for everyone—a society where all individuals have access to basic social needs regardless of gender, religion, race, or geographical location, and are empowered to live self-sufficient lives, contributing to sustainable development in their communities. Our activities include infrastructure development (construction, rehabilitation, and equipping), education and awareness raising, targeted support, advocacy, capacity building, health promotion, and community development. LISUDEV adopts a human-centred approach when developing its programs by accounting for the inputs and feedback of the beneficiaries and key stakeholders through regular surveys and interviews, understanding the ecosystem and its key elements and relationships, and human behaviour study. We strive to empower vulnerable populations and communities and build brighter futures where everyone can thrive.
WHAT WE DO
LISUDEV addresses the multifaceted challenges of poverty, inequality, and limited access to essential services among underprivileged populations and communities in Cameroon. These communities often face systemic barriers to clean water, adequate healthcare, quality education, sustainable agriculture, and gender equality. By addressing these issues in an integrated manner, LISUDEV aims to break the cycle of poverty, reduce vulnerability, and foster long-term community resilience and well-being. The organization’s work is rooted in empowering individuals and communities, particularly women and marginalized groups, to build brighter, healthier, and more self-sufficient futures.
MISSION
To improve the quality of life, promote well-being, and reduce poverty among underprivileged populations and communities in Cameroon.
VISION
A healthy and sustainable society for all, where everyone has access to basic social needs and equal opportunities and is empowered to realize their full potential.
OBJECTIVES
OUR APPROACH
We operate through an integrated, participatory, and collaborative approach. LISUDEV actively involves stakeholders and beneficiaries at every stage of the project cycle. We do this to ensure the beneficiaries feel they own the project, take good care of it, protect it, and gain skills that can allow them to carry out similar projects in their respective communities. We also ensure accountability and protection of the beneficiary’s rights. We leverage technology and innovation in our initiatives to ensure lasting impact.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
LISUDEV is overseen by a board of directors highly qualified in administration and from different professions, including development experts. The Board is made up of philanthropists who are dedicated to the vision and mission of LISUDEV. The board is empowered to make decisions regarding the plan and programs to be undertaken by LISUDEV and oversee the organization’s work. All board decisions are implemented by the executive director, who functions full-time. The board meets once a year, and board meetings allow effective communication between trustees, staff, and management.
BENEFICIARIES
Underprivileged populations (women, children, young girls, and persons with disabilities) and communities are the beneficiaries of our aid programs. LISUDEV ensures everyone gets access to basic social needs (healthcare, safe water, sanitation, and education) and is empowered to realize their full potential. We focus on the rural and hard-to-reach communities because we believe that to achieve meaningful sustainable development, we have to direct interventions to rural and hard-to-reach communities where they are most needed.
OUR FOCUS
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