Volunteer with an NGO in Cameroon
Women's Light Foundation is volunteer-driven. Most of what reaches a community reaches it because someone chose to give their time — in the field, or remotely from anywhere.
Ways to volunteer
Field placements in the Northwest and Southwest Regions, and remote contributions from anywhere.
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Community volunteering
Field activities in the Northwest and Southwest Regions: awareness sessions, school support, savings group facilitation, clean-up campaigns and distribution days. The core of what we do.
One day a week or more, three months minimum
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Adolescent girls club facilitation
Running weekly clubs where girls build confidence, discuss their rights and find mentors. Requires consistency above all — a club that meets irregularly stops being trusted.
Weekly, six months minimum
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Community sensitisation
Supporting dialogue on gender norms, violence prevention and available services. Local language and standing in the community matter more than formal qualifications.
Flexible, by campaign
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Translation, English and French
Translating programme materials, reports and proposals. Cameroon is bilingual and our capacity to work nationally depends directly on this.
Remote, by task
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Grant research and proposal support
Finding funding opportunities we would not otherwise see, and helping turn programme detail into a fundable proposal. Among the highest-value contributions available.
Remote, a few hours a month
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Design, data and digital
Graphic design, data analysis, website maintenance, photography and short-form video. Skills a young organisation cannot yet afford to buy.
Remote, by project
What to expect
What a placement with us involves
What we commit to
- A written placement agreement setting out your role, hours, duration and objectives.
- A named supervisor responsible for your work and available to you.
- A safeguarding, PSEA and code of conduct briefing before you meet any community.
- Reimbursement of transport and field costs incurred on our behalf.
- Work that genuinely contributes rather than filling time.
- A reference letter or certificate on completion.
- The same protection from harassment, exploitation and discrimination as paid staff.
What we ask
Reliability above everything. Communities plan around your attendance, and a missed session costs them more than it costs us. Beyond that: adherence to our policies, confidentiality about programme participants, willingness to be supervised, and a commitment to report any safeguarding concern — including about our own personnel.
Boundaries that protect everyone
Untrained volunteers are not placed alone with children or with survivors of violence, and responsibility is extended as capability is demonstrated. Any organisation that puts an unbriefed volunteer in front of a vulnerable person is failing that person, not empowering the volunteer.
How to start
Write to info@womenslight.org, or message our main line on WhatsApp. Tell us what you can do, how many days a week you can commit, for how long, and which region you are in or near. We will propose a placement rather than adding you to a list.
A warning about recruitment fraud
We never charge anyone to volunteer or intern with us, and we never ask a volunteer to send money to any account. Any request for a placement fee made in our name is fraudulent — please report it to contact@womenslight.org.
Frequently asked questions
Can I volunteer with no previous NGO experience?
Yes. Local associations are the realistic entry point into the sector, and we value motivation, reliability and local language skills highly. You will begin supporting community mobilisation, sessions or data collection under supervision, and take on more as you demonstrate capability.
Do I have to pay to volunteer?
No. Women's Light Foundation never charges anyone to volunteer or intern. Any request for a placement fee in our name is fraudulent. We reimburse transport and field costs you incur on our behalf.
Are you accepting volunteers in Buea and Bamenda?
Yes. Our head office is at Campaign Street, Buea, and our second base is in Bamenda, and we take volunteers in both regions. Approach us directly rather than waiting for an advertisement — most placements are agreed individually.
Can I volunteer remotely from outside Cameroon?
Yes, and it is genuinely useful. Translation between English and French, grant research, proposal editing, data analysis, design and video editing can all be done remotely and are consistently in short supply for a small organisation.
How long should I commit for?
Three to six months for field placements, and six months for anything involving a regular group such as an adolescent girls club. Shorter periods rarely give enough time to contribute meaningfully or to build a reference worth citing.
Will I get a reference?
Yes, for anyone who completes their agreed period in good standing. Ask before your final week, while your supervisor still remembers the detail of your work.
Ready to start?
Tell us what you can do and where you are. We will propose a placement.
