FORUDEF was founded in 1998, when a group of concerned citizens joined together to address the plight of the rural population in Cameroon, most notably the rural communities of the Akwaya sub-division. The Food and Rural Development Foundation (FORUDEF) is a non-governmental organization with headquarters in Buea in the Southwest region of Cameroon.

FORUDEF is dedicated to promoting the wise use of natural resources, the improvement of rural living standards and the building of local capacities through partnership, training, advocacy and the sharing of information in the Southwest region and beyond.

The goal of FORUDEF is to build capacity at the village level to increase community access to resources and participation in the sustainable management of natural resources, community health and livelihood improvement, and to experience greater benefits in standard of living as a result.

•Sustainability: FORUDEF believes that its work should be long lasting in effect, and be continuous and replicable in the long-term without external supports or implements.

•Capacity Building: By increasing the skills and knowledge of the target population, FORUDEF aims to increase their ability to overcome poverty through their own means, and gradually decrease reliance on the expertise of FORUDEF and other organizations.

•Education: FORUDEF values training, information dissemination, and skill development as a means of inspiring development.  Educational tools both build capacity and can be passed on to other generations.

•Empowerment: In order to be effective, responsibility for development strategies must be given to the target population, and their participation must be an essential component of all initiatives.  FORUDEF values partnerships with local communities, which precipitates the exchange of information and ideas, and leads to empowered, self-sufficient communities.

•Justice: FORUDEF believes in the equal opportunity and rights of every individual, irrespective of race, religion, gender or status, and believes that there is an obligation to ensure that areas of injustice are addressed and rectified. FORUDEF is committed to being a voice of justice in the Southwest and working to ensure that all Cameroonians are treated equally. 

DRIVING FORCE:   INTEGRITY IN SERVICE AND EXCELLENCE IN RESULTS

Moses was born in the rural Southwest province of Cameroon, and has dedicated his life's work to partnering with the marginalized people and communities in the area of his birth. Moses studied Economics at the Sussex College of Technology in the U.K, and has obtained additional training in Project Management and Accounting at the Chetleham Computer Center London and National Polytechnic Institute Nigeria, respectively.  After studying abroad, Moses returned to Cameroon to work with various environmental agencies, such as Living Earth Foundation, before founding Food and Rural Development Foundation in 1998. Moses brings a wealth of education and experience with him in FORUDEF’s efforts to address the plight of the rural Southwest population, as well as an in-depth knowledge of the people, environment, and history of the region, and a passion to see the area of his upbringing transformed into a region of growth and opportunity. 

Susan Tabe was born in Bachuo Ntai in Mamfe Central sub-division.  She completed her basic education in the city of Limbe, where her experience with a higher standard of living in urban areas inspired her to return to her village and work for better livelihoods there.  Susan has studied community development through workshops and seminars, and focuses her work on the empowerment of FORUDEF’s partner communities through teaching and capacity building, especially amongst women and agricultural groups.  In the thirteen years that Susan has been associated with FORUDEF, she has been a strong leader and advocate for increased awareness of, and attention to, the needs of rural communities in Cameroon.

James Assam grew up in rural Akwaya, and after attending high school in Mamfe, graduated with a GCE and the Advanced Level from the Imperial Academy of Arts, Science and Technology in Tiko. James has extensive training in beekeeping, agro-forestry and sustainable agriculture techniques, and currently shares this expertise through programs, workshops and regular meetings with villagers throughout the Akwaya sub-division. James has an in-depth knowledge of the people, communities, resources and challenges of the Akwaya region and uses this knowledge base to find strategic responses to the challenges present. James has been working with FORUDEF since early 2006.