Unemployment is one of the main causes of poverty, according to the International Labour Organisation’s annual report on global unemployment. More than 601 million new jobs should be created globally in the next ten years to maintain economic growth and social peace in many parts of the world. In 2012, some 200 million people will be unemployed worldwide, 27 million more than in 2007, before the outbreak of the financial crisis. In addition, 40 million new people enter the labour market each year. Between 2007 and 2012, the global unemployment rate rose from 5.5 to 6 percent. Another 900 million jobs need to be created for the “working poor” – the employees who have to get by on a daily income of 2 dollars. Most of them, about 30 per cent of all workers worldwide, live in developing countries.

Clear information on the unemployment rate in Cameroon is difficult to find. The figures given vary between 2.9 and 5.4 per cent of the population aged 15-64. In 2007, urban unemployment (12.6 %) was much higher in Cameroon than in rural areas (1.4 %). Women living in rural areas are particularly affected – 18 percent of them were unemployed in 2007. Because 39.9 percent of the total population lived below the national poverty line, it is obvious that the substantial amount of available jobs do not provide sufficient income for families. This is even clearer in rural areas – despite the lower level of unemployment, as much as 55 per cent of the population lived in poverty (The World Bank 2011).

We strongly believe that employment offers the best solution for people to rise out of the cycle of poverty through “self-help”. As the Director General of ILO, Mr. Juan Somavia asserts, creating decent jobs in the real economy must become the first priority in global development.

We focus our micro-loans on individuals and groups – mainly to women and the younger people. The loan amount varies between 20 and 2,000 Euros. The projects financed are carefully selected based on their likelihood of success. The sustainability of the project results is also taken into account. Our staff advise the borrowers and help them find the optimal concept for their ideas. A complete business plan with risk analysis and repayment schedule is prepared together. Before the loan is granted, the borrowers will attend a course in entrepreneurship management to provide basic knowledge on how to run and manage an organisation. We continue to provide ongoing support and borrowers must report regularly on their progress.

Support us in this process with professional expertise as well as money or donations in kind.