MTN Cameroon employees commit to youth empowerment through the annual volunteerism program “21 Days of #YelloCare”

MTN Cameroon, leader of the electronic communications sector in Cameroon announces the launch of the 13th edition of the annual 21 Days of Y’ello Care program which will run from 1-21 June. This year, the Y’ello Care campaign will once again focus on Youth Empowerment under the theme “Creating a Brighter Future for our Youth”. For 21 days, MTN employees in all 21 operations of the Group will give back to their communities by implementing impactful social projects in their localities.

Here in Cameroon, MTN staff have chosen to realize several projects Nationwide that will benefit the youths, particularly those with disabilities, and address the problem of drug abuse which is today a national priority area by Government.

The first project which seeks to empower persons with disabilities will result in the construction of a modern multidisciplinary skills enhancement training center for trades based on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) at Essengue, Douala for vulnerable youths in support of the association “Donnons-nous la main”. This facility will be used for the training of handicapped persons on various jobs such as Office automation, Infographics, Video development, Community management etc. to enable them to be gainfully employed and fend for themselves with dignity. Several other associations working with people with disabilities will be supported by MTNers Nationwide such as:

• ISDA, a specialized institute for the hard of hearing, Garoua, North region
• “L’Excellence de Sabongari” training center, Ngaoundere, Adamawa region
• Ferme Ecole de Kaigama, Bertoua, East region
• Blessing Associates for Women and Children, Kumba, South-West region
• MOHCAM Mother of Hope Cameroon, Bamenda, North-West region
• Maison St Damien Et Camille De Bafoussam, Bafoussam, West region
• Centre Adaima Kalkal, Maroua, Far North region
• Centre social Bobine d’Or, Yaounde, Centre region

The 2019 program will climax on 20 June, which has been dubbed “MTN Day” with a conference to raise national awareness on the ills of drug abuse by the youths. This event will also include the organization of a hackathon, an application development challenge, which will enable young developers representing several Universities and institutions of higher learning to showcase their creative ingenuity in the domain of digital innovation at the service of our youths.

Commenting on the Y’ello Care program, MTN Cameroon CEO, Hendrik Kasteel, states that: “As a future-focused organization, MTN instituted the 21 Days of Y’ello Care program as far back as 2007 to provide employees with a platform to make a sustainable difference in the lives of members of our communities on an annual basis above and beyond the activities of our Foundation and the work we do daily to provide simple, accessible and affordable solutions to millions of people and businesses. Since we believe at MTN that everyone deserves the benefits of modern connected life, the 21 Days program has become a revered rendez-vous; giving back is part of our DNA! We’re passionate about our 2019 projects and truly hope that they’ll add value to the lives of the beneficiaries. In addition, by focusing on the ills of drug abuse which is plaguing our society, we want to support Government’s laudable actions in this domain and further enlighten the youths, tomorrow’s leaders, on the negative effect of this vice, not only to themselves, but their family, communities and the Nation”.

The dedication of employees to sustainably change lives with the heart has resulted in the recognition of MTN Cameroon as the best Y’ello Care operation within the MTN Group. Thanks to the quality of the projects implemented by MTN Cameroon staff, the operation won the Group President and CEO overall Y’ello Care award and a cash prize of USD100.000 in 2012, 2013 and 2015. The company also won the West and Central Africa President award and USD30.000 cash prize in 2016 and 2017. All of this money is reinvested by MTN Cameroon employees in social projects within

The building of 06 primary schools with a total of 22 classroomstheir communities.

Key achievements since 2012 by MTN Cameroon employees include the:

• Construction and equipment of a science laboratory in Government High School Bobongo, Douala (2017)
• Construction of a guest home for teachers in Government High School, Manoka, Littoral (2014)
• Equipment of 07 libraries in municipalities across the country
• Payment of school fees (entire primary cycle) of 2100 young girls in the Far North (2013)
• Donation of telecommunications equipment to universities (2018)

Come 1 June, MTN employees will be able to care with the heart and spread a lot of Y’ello love.