Who We Are
Learn more about us and the community where we operate
About Kumbo, Cameroon
Cameroon is a unitary republic of central and western Africa. Its per-capita GDP (PPP) was estimated at US $2,100 in 2007, while the rate of unemployment was estimated at 30% in 2001. In 2009 it is estimated to have a population of about 19.5 million and that a third of that is living below the international poverty threshold of US $1.25 a day. It is a large country, extending 1000 miles from north to south. Cameroon is also known as "Africa in miniature" because of its geological and cultural diversity. It is rich in natural resoures which include rivers, streams, deserts, rainforests, mountains, waterfalls, and savannas. This makes the country well suited to agriculture and arboriculture. There are more than 200 different ethnic and linguistic groups, and the people usually speak both English and French in addition to their native languages. Traditional arts and crafts are heavily practiced throughout the entire country.
Cameroon data
Capital: Yaounde
Population: 19.5 million
Currency: francs (XAF)
Languages: English & French
Unemployment: 30%
Cameroon Flag & Coat of Arms
Kumbo, also known as Kimbo, is the second-largest city in the mountainous interiors of the North West Province of Cameroon and the capital of Bui Division (Cameroon is sub-divided into 58 divisions). It has a population of around 116,500 (2001 estimate).
Kumbo is about 2000m above sea level and has a lot of rolling hills that run through verdant forests and farmlands. It is well known for the Musa Heritage Gallery museum, the Fon's Palace, and the Catholic Cathedral which sits on top of a hill and is constructed entirely from stones.
About TechCeFaCos NGO
TechCeFaCos (Technical Centre for Fine Arts and Computer Studies) started in September 2003 as a Non-Government Organization (NGO) with its headquarters in Kumbo, Cameroon (Africa). Its main focus is to use creativity and technology as the fundamental tools for Millennium and Sustainability Development in Cameroon. It should be noted that in Africa only 20% of students have access to a computer. TechCeFaCos is a non-profit, apolitical, charity-oriented and developmental group. It was formerly known as the TechCeFaCos Group and is the initiator/chief sponsor of the TeleCentre project which is one of its strategic initiatives in the Tobin-Kumbo region of Cameroon.
TechCeFaCos consists of computer operators and digital artists of all socioeconomic, technical and educational backgrounds that pull together their resources and technological know-how in promoting development policies and strategic initiatives. This is achieved through programs, activities and or projects for socio-economic and educational empowerment, wealth creation and cultural fusion-exchange in Cameroon. TechCeFaCos was created and continues to be enhanced by people such as artists, professional teachers, computer experts and graduates with common ideas on Creativity, Arts and Technological Knowledge. The organization is open to all persons of creative and technological background irrespective of their race, age, culture and religion.
The TeleCentre established by TechCeFaCos in Tobin-Kumbo, Cameroon is strategically located with facilities to provide public access to ICT as a means of bridging the digital gap. This TeleCentre is aimed at addressing the basic needs of the Tobin-Kumbo Community for services such as telephony, printing, photocopying, FM Radio, Fax, VoIP, and Internet Access etc. At the moment no other standard TeleCentre is offering such services in the region.
TechCeFaCos' Historical Development
TechCeFaCos is the brain child of Emmanuel F. Sevidzem-EFS, who founded it after a prolonged socio-educational experience. It started as a small activity, but eventually grew and today it sprinted as a great developmental initiative with the support of members both home and abroad.
In late 2007 TechCeFaCos opened up its US chapter so that the latter can focus on the following:
- Volunteer placement & development
- Collection and refurbishment of pcs
- Fundraising
- Sustainable Micro-Enterprise & Fair Trade
As a promoter of creativity and technological empowerment for creation of new hope, TechCeFaCos went through the following developmental stages of growth:
