By Bakah Derick
In a display of creativity, innovation, compassion and dedication, a Bamenda based not-for-profit non-governmental organization, Collective Arts Development Association (CADA) is shining a light of hope with its transformative project aimed at empowering vulnerable youth. During one of the empowerment sessions on Saturday, 17 February, one of CADA's trainers was around to teach beneficiaries, including drug addicts, substance abuse victims, ex-convicts, orphans, and other marginalized youth, the intricate art of sculpture.
For hours, the young men emerged themselves in the beautiful arts with instructions and supervision from their trainer. The focus was total with questions being asked and answered indicating their high level of engagement.
"The session was good, we learned well and I teacher was good." Elvis tells me as he walks away with a smile.
Since its inception in September 2023, the project is on a mission to provide training in various visual arts disciplines such as painting, sculpture, craftwork, theater performances, short films, and social entrepreneurship to different groups in shifts lasting six months each. Currently, 15 beneficiaries are benefiting from this life-changing program.
The training sessions are led by a team of six trainers, including artists and social entrepreneurs, skills who work closely with the beneficiaries to develop their creative talents and entrepreneurial. The beneficiaries not only receive artistic training but also have access to mental health experts for counseling and management when needed. The responds so far has been impressive though not as expected considering the challenges in the sector and environment.
According to CADA authories, the recruitment process involves community sensitization and word-of-mouth mobilization to identify individuals who could benefit most from the program.
Despite regular attendance and the remarkable positive changes in attitude observed among the beneficiaries, CADA faces challenges such as financial constraints to acquire training materials, provide meals, and secure space for the six-month training period. Additionally, the ongoing armed conflict in the North West Region of Cameroon adds another layer of difficulty for the organization working in a politically sensitive environment.
With the ongoing armed conflict, funding and running such initiatives is difficult. However, CADA authories say they have received received support from organizations like the Kanthari Foundation in Switzerland and The Pollination Project, which co-funds activities with funds generated from the sale of artworks.
With a noble vision of creating a society free from substance abuse through arts, life skills education, and social entrepreneurship, CADA is dedicated to building a better future for humanity through its impactful initiatives by empowering young people and fostering positive change in their communities.