3. ii Board Meetings The Board of Directors held one meeting in November to receive reports from the management.

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1 I. Introduction: Our organization entered the year facing many challenges. New programmes were engaged, extending activities from Fako to Meme, Ndian and Lebialem Divisions in the South West Province. All of these called for structural reforms within the organisation. 2 Membership: To improve on the commitment of members to the organization the membership conditions were reviewed, increasing registration fees and the annual dues, alongside other changes. 3 Meetings 3.i Annual General Meetings Three general meetings were held on the 15 and 22 March, April (dates) and on the 26 th July.The July extraordinary meeting raised the registration fees and annual dues to 25,000frs and 5,000frs respectively as against 2,000frs and 2,500frs formerly. Several amendments were made to the Articles of Association to better reflect the spread of programmes and the not for profit nature of the organization. Other changes included changes in the organization chart, creation of the Gender and Community Action Programme, and the Agriculture and Food Security Unit. A new Board of Directors (5 women, 3 men) was elected for a three year term as follows: Name Position 1 Mr. Folefac Vincent Anu Delegate (CEO) 2 Mr. Nkegoa Martin Secretary 3 Mrs. Veronica Nkemasong Treasurer 4 Mr. Njonguo Fabian Chairperson Finance Committee 5 Mrs. Forcha Angeline Chairperson Gender and Community Action Committee 6 Mrs. Nti Emilia Member 7 Mrs. Wangyia Mercy Member 8 Mr. Francis Wache Member 9 Mrs. Nkwetta Helen Member (co-signatory to accounts) 3. ii Board Meetings The Board of Directors held one meeting in November to receive reports from the management. 4 Trainings The Delegate and George Atabong attended a one-week seminar on Gender- Sensitive Participatory Approaches in Project Cycle Management from 7 th April. They later on attended a follow-up to this seminar in Bamenda from 22 nd 29th October. At the institutional level Josephine Tita and Evelyne Nguasong attended the seminar in August at IPAR. This training was organized and carried out at the 1

2 grassroots by NCIG at Alou from the 25 th 28 th August. A one-week seminar was also attended by the Gender and Community Action officer organized by ILO, ACDI and MINCOF in Mbalmayou from 8 th 12 th September. Josephine Tita attended a training workshop on Natural Resource Management in PAID-WA from 26 th January to 14 th February. Several training workshops were also organized by NCIG within this period. Date Activity Location Participants April May Technical training for potato and yam farmers (5 workshops) Muea, Munyenge, Bolifamba, Alou, Menji. 176 farmers (90 women and 86 men) August 25 th 27 th Gender Sensitive Participatory Approaches in Project Cycle Management at Grassroots Alou ( Lebialem) 26 (18 women) representatives of farmers groups 5 Agriculture Activities Farmers Group receives in kind credit Date Activity Location Participants June Cultivation of improved Cassava Sand Pit (Buea) NCIG group farm Cuttings (1 ha). October Took part in the formation of Cassava Producers Union in Fako EKONA (CEAC) 62 farmers groups represented. 6 Projects 6.1 Maize Seed Multiplication Project The NCIG maize seed multiplication farm was the most supported agricultural project of the organization. In June yields came up to about 1500 kgs, which was sold fresh because of the inability to dry in the rainy season 2

3 6.2 Sustainable Potato and Yam Production Project (SPYP) With continuing support from the National Employment Fund NCIG launched this project in March in Fako and Lebialem Divisions. A total number of 152 ( ) farmers benefited from this project. 6.3 Participatory HIV/AIDS And Control Programme (PHACOP) NCIG launched its HIV/AIDS prevention and care programme since the pandemic impacts negatively on rural development effort. Some of the activities carried out: Date Activity Location Participants 4 th 9 th Feb. March April HIV/AIDS Sensitization and Prevention Program for Youths (Enlightenment campaign using flyers, posters and youth theatre) Training on HIV/AIDS Sensitization and Prevention for farmers during the NEF training programmes Maumu village (Solidarity Youths Maumu) Muea, Munyenge, Bolifamba, Alou, Menji Over 500 youths reached 25 farmers groups May August 12 th September 4 th November National AIDS Week 25 November - 1 December NCIG trained 10 rural communities in the formation of Local AIDS Control Committees (I.ACCs) for the National AIDS Control Committee (NACC). NCIG has trained LACCS on: Methods and tools for Community Mobilization on HIV/AIDS prevention How to Manage available funds in a transparent and efficient manner. Gender dimensions of HIV/AIDS How to manage intra - group conflicts. NCIG envisages to promote networking with all the LACCS. Public sensitization using flyers, posters, school quizzes, song and choral competition Mbonge, Kumba, Konye and Ekondo-Titi Sub Divisions (10 Communities) Mbonge, Kumba, Konye and Ekondo Titi Sub Divisions (10 Communities) Alou, Lebialem Over 800 Participants Over 100 AIDS orphans identified 10 primary schools, 3 colleges and population participated 3

4 Between May and July NCIG, working in collaboration with the PTG of the National AIDS Control Committee, supported 10 communities in Meme and Ndian Divisions to form Local AIDS Control Committees (LACC) and prepare community action plans for the fight against HIV/AIDS. The communities included Mbonge Road Up hill and Down hill, Bongongo, Big Nganjo/Nganjo Titi, Nkotto Barombi/Kotto Native, III Corner Marumba, Mbakwa Supe, Bekondo, Kurume Kokaka and Bole. Sensitisation of youth at Maumu on HIV/AIDS February 6.4 Nkong Community Credit Initiative (NCCI) The outreach of services increased thanks to the NEF supported project and mobile savings. However some difficulties were encountered especially with a fraudulent commission agent and a burglary at the office. By the end of the year the situation had however been stabilized. The total mobile savings amounted to 8,062,030 CFA with 101 persons (76 women and 25 men) participating. Total loans granted in : 210 (119 women and 91 men) Total amount of loan: 18,990,500 CFA 6.5 Nkong Information And Communication Centre For The Community (NICCOM) More documentation was acquired thanks to CTA. Some manuals were downloaded from the Internet. Training on computer literacy continued, with 15 participants (10 female) successfully taking part. 7 Gender And Community Action Programme 7.1 Public Events The NCIG women s group participated in the International Women s Day and the World Rural Women s Day celebrations respectively. 8 Sponsorship and Grants NCIG received a grant in November from the Gender and Development Fund of the Canada High Commission to carry out an 18 months programme on functional adult literacy for women farmer groups in Fako Division. The NCIG maize seed multiplication project received a grant from ACWW London. 4

5 The maize seed project also received input support from the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI). 9 Strategic Plan The strategic plan was finally completed. It covers the period With the core area being sustainable agriculture and food security; it has five other programmes: promoting gender equality; micro finance; micro enterprise development; promoting access to development information; and building the institutional capacity of NCIG 10 International Day of the Volunteer 5 December NCIG participated in round table discussions jointly organized with the Alliance Franco Camerounaise in Buea. 11 Networking NCIG continued to network with both national and international organizations and networks. NCIG, through Mr Atabong George, was notably elected to be the South West provincial coordinator of the COSCES Education for All projects in September. At network meeting WICOF/FOWIC concerting 12 Capacity Building NCIG received students and trainees from several institutions. Students from PAID WA Buea; Community Development Kumba, the University of Buea continued to use NCIG as a case study for their end of course essays and projects. The NCIG documentation center also served as a training ground for computer literacy and internship programmes. 13 Office Space A new and more spacious office was acquired in August. It is being shared with MUDEC, a sister CSO,. 5

6 14 Constraints Personnel: The organization is still unable to keep high level manpower due to inadequate finances. Yet the demands of current programmes require the services of qualified and trained personnel. Inadequate Equipment: The computers currently in use were offered for a period by the Delegate of the organisation. The second hand photocopier is constantly breaking down. Staffs have to cover long distances to the field, sometimes on foot as the organization does not have either motorcycles or vehicles. Insufficient Funds for Micro - finance scheme: Increasing public visibility and outreach programmes have raised public expectations for support. More than 250 women have requested for new loans, which NCIG is unable to provide. 15 Annual Financial Statement 6