Sylvester Enongene Nzene, iLEAP International Fellow 2008

Partners for Productivity Foundation

Executive Director

CAMEROON

Organization

Partners for Productivity Foundation (PFPF) is a charitable, indigenous non-governmental development organization based in the Kupe-Muanenguba Division of the South West Province of Cameroon. PFPF was started in January 1998 by local technicians who were convinced of the necessity to empower people to mitigate social, economic, and environmental problem. PFPF advocates for a sustainable life for all and aims to mitigate hunger and poverty in rural communities of Southwest province of Cameroon. It works towards these objectives by connecting local people to knowledge, experiences and resources to help strengthen their capacity for self help.

Work, Accomplishments and Challenges

Mr. Nzene is the Executive Director of PFPF, where he directs projects serving the poor and vulnerable (mostly women, youth and children) in the Kupe-Muanenguba Division of Cameroon. He has successfully developed programs that provide education and assistance to the community in such areas as capacity building, institutional development, and enhancement of sustainable agricultural production, participatory conservation, and natural resources management. PFPF currently faces a number of challenges working with different stakeholders, particularly with the government and their “top-down” management of programs and a general lack of interest in supporting rural community development.  Also the lack of experiences and skills of PFPF’s staff, a mismatch between beneficiaries’ needs makes his work challenging.

Value of iLEAP Fellowship

Mr. Nzene considers his participation in the iLEAP Fellowship program to be crucial for his organization to better serve its beneficiaries. By participating in the iLEAP program, Mr. Nzene wants to gain a better understanding of sustainable agriculture and integrated rural development while heightening his awareness of development issues and international understanding.  The iLEAP experience will provide opportunities for Mr. Nzene to improve his leadership and professional skills in organizational management and program coordination; learn more about issues that pertain to service, volunteerism, and community development; and cultivate relationships with organizations in Seattle working in the same field as PFPF.