Get Involved with an NGO in Cameroon

Women's Light Foundation is a volunteer-driven organisation. That is a statement of fact rather than a slogan: the majority of what gets delivered in communities is delivered by people who chose to give their time, and the Foundation's capacity is set by how many of them there are.

There are four ways to take part, and they are not ranked. A volunteer who runs an adolescent girls club every week is not doing something lesser than a donor funding the bursaries. Both are load-bearing.

What we ask of everyone

Whichever route you take, the same commitments apply. Everyone working with us — staff, volunteer, intern or partner — is briefed on safeguarding and our policy on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse before they meet a community, and signs acknowledgement of our code of conduct. There are no exceptions, including for short placements.

Choosing where to start

If you are in Cameroon and can give time regularly, volunteering is where you will have most effect — our capacity is genuinely set by how many reliable volunteers we have. If you are outside Cameroon, remote skills are worth more than most people expect: translation between English and French, grant research, proposal editing, data analysis and design are all persistently in short supply for a small organisation.

If you are looking for paid work in the sector, our vacancies page lists what is open and explains what gets an application shortlisted. If you have no NGO experience yet, start with a volunteer placement or internship — we recruit from our own volunteer pool when roles arise.

If you can give money, the Donate page sets out what specific amounts achieve, where funds go, and the controls that protect them.

For organisations

We work through MOU-based partnerships with government ministries, health facilities, schools and local civil society, as implementing partner and sub-grantee to international NGOs and UN agencies, in consortium with peer organisations, and with businesses on corporate social responsibility. Our registration documents, constitution, governance records, policy suite and financial procedures are available to any prospective partner conducting due diligence.

What taking part involves

Everyone who works with us — staff, volunteer, intern or partner — is briefed on safeguarding and PSEA before meeting a community, and signs acknowledgement of our code of conduct. Untrained people are never placed alone with children or with survivors of violence. Responsibility is extended as capability is demonstrated. This protects the people we serve, and it protects you from being put in a situation you are not equipped for.