Creating opportunity begins by listening to young people.
During a recent conversation at Striving For All’s Thrive Center in Douala, Cameroon, a student asked Founder Genevieve Ngambia a simple question:
“What is Striving For All’s biggest challenge?”
The answer might have seemed obvious: funding.
Her answer was different: earning trust.
The exchange took place during a recent visit to the Thrive Center, where Madam Ngambia spent time with students, instructors, volunteers, staff, and long-time supporters. Beyond seeing programs in action, the visit created an opportunity to listen directly to the young people and local team at the center of SFA’s work.
Listening to the Young People We Serve
During an open conversation, students asked questions, shared their aspirations, and discussed education, leadership, and their hopes for the future.
These conversations help Striving For All better understand the experiences, barriers, and opportunities young people encounter and help keep our programs connected to the communities we serve.
Building Skills and Opportunity in Douala
Since opening in June 2024, the Thrive Center has trained more than 625 young people through programs in technology, artificial intelligence, digital literacy, environmental stewardship, and career readiness.
This includes more than 300 girls and young women who have participated in SFA’s Girls in Tech initiative, which creates opportunities for girls to build technology skills, explore solutions to community challenges, and receive mentorship.
Through the Thrive Center, young people have a dedicated space to learn, collaborate, develop practical skills, and explore pathways that may otherwise be difficult to access.
These programs support Striving For All’s broader commitment to expanding educational opportunity and helping young people develop skills they can carry into their education, careers, and communities.
A Community Behind the Mission
Creating these opportunities requires more than programs. It requires a community.
During the visit, we were also pleased to welcome long-time Striving For All supporters Paul Kenfack and Landry Ngambia, who spent time with students and members of our local team.
Their presence reflected the broader network behind SFA’s work: students and families, educators, staff, volunteers, community members, partners, donors, and supporters working toward a shared goal.
Why Trust Matters
The student’s question continued to resonate after the conversation.
Later, a member of the SFA Cameroon team asked why funding had not been the answer, particularly because financial resources remain one of the organization’s most pressing needs.
Parents must trust us with their children. Communities must trust that our commitment is lasting. Partners and donors must trust that their support contributes to meaningful and measurable impact.
For Striving For All, earning that trust means listening, being transparent about our progress and challenges, delivering programs consistently, and demonstrating the results of our work.
Looking Ahead
The visit was both an opportunity to reflect on how far the Thrive Center has come and a reminder of the work ahead.
Striving For All will continue strengthening educational opportunities for young people through technology education, artificial intelligence, digital literacy, environmental stewardship, career readiness, and programs designed to expand opportunities for girls and young women.
As we move forward, listening will remain central to that work. The perspectives of students, families, educators, communities, partners, and supporters will continue to help inform how our programs develop.
Because creating lasting opportunity begins not only with providing resources, but with building relationships strong enough to sustain the work.
Help Create More Opportunities
Every young person deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, build practical skills, and prepare for the future.
Whether you donate, volunteer, partner with us, or share our mission, your support helps Striving For All expand access to education and opportunity for young people in Cameroon and beyond.
Together, we can help more young people develop the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to pursue their goals and contribute to their communities.
Support Our Mission
Your support can help us reach more young people and create more opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed.
Together We Can Create Opportunity.
