In order to carry out its missions in 2019, the Association for the Promotion of Literacy and Social Development (APADES) launched THE NEW MIND PROJECT. This project, named after the term "New Approach", aims to develop entrepreneurial skills among young people and instill in them strong values ​​from secondary school, in order to stimulate different and innovative thinking. The NEW MIND project consists of four components:

• The creation and running of entrepreneurship clubs in schools in the city of Yaoundé and its surrounding areas.
• The establishment of holiday camps called CAMP NEW MIND, offering in-depth entrepreneurship training and company visits.
• The BEST PROJECT OF NEW MIND CAMP, a ceremony rewarding the best projects of the NEW MIND camp.
• The NEW MIND CENTER, designed as a business incubator to support project leaders, with an emphasis on women in difficult situations wishing to develop income-generating micro-projects.

Since 2019, APADES has succeeded in creating and running 14 entrepreneurship clubs, training around 3,500 students in entrepreneurship, organizing 3 holiday camps and 2 finals of the BEST PROJECT OF NEW MIND CAMP, prioritizing 6 projects. The creation of the NEW MIND CENTER is considered urgent to support those carrying innovative ideas in an appropriate environment, equipped with all the necessary technical resources.

Our observation

Incubators play a crucial role in job creation and empowerment. However, most of them in Cameroon mainly target upper-middle-class entrepreneurs, leaving aside disadvantaged youth and women in precarious situations. The NEW MIND CENTER aims to change this situation by offering training and support opportunities to those who need it most: disadvantaged young people and women in socially vulnerable situations. By breaking down traditional barriers, the NEW MIND CENTER aspires to open the doors to entrepreneurship to everyone, regardless of their origin or financial situation.

Our project

The NEW MIND CENTER, a pioneer in Yaoundé, offers comprehensive support to project leaders from disadvantaged social classes. By offering a versatile training space, a community store for IT services, a showcase for beneficiaries' products and services, a co-working space, as well as access to ICT and the internet, the center aims to offer holistic approach including literacy, social activities, training and incubation. The main target of the NEW MIND CENTER is young people from modest or disadvantaged classes and women in difficulty aged 15 to 35, such as single mothers, unemployed widows, internally displaced persons and refugees. The objective is to provide optimal working conditions in terms of opportunities, standing, logistics and support in order to reduce the existing social divide.

Our vision

Give young people from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to believe in their dreams and participate in the economic development of the country by helping them realize viable and sustainable projects. By seeking solutions to respond more effectively to the needs in education, training and support for the socio-professional integration of young people and women in difficulty.

Our values

We believe in human development, peace, democracy and respect for others in establishing collaborative ties and valuing the cultural diversity of members. We take responsibility for our actions and report on our activities to all of our partners.

A Project with strong social impact

The center is located in a disadvantaged and extremely poor area of ​​Yaoundé, quite far from the city center. It does not have urban facilities or leisure or cultural centers. The NEW MIND CENTER has the potential to become an attractive place for young people, offering essential support outside the school setting. Access to culture and technology in an environment such as that of the center will help to alleviate the feeling of exclusion felt by the youth of this type of neighborhood. They will be able to benefit from inspiring activities to occupy their free time, develop a more positive vision of the world and develop a personal life project. Faced with the temptation of delinquency and drugs, the center's local action represents a significant response.

The project leader

Ms. Yvette Bizele KENFACK NZANGO is a social entrepreneur and the founder of an association promoting literacy. She is strongly involved in the women's associative field and participated in the international MASHAV - Haifa program in Israel, focused on social entrepreneurship as a lever for community development. She also benefits from six years of significant experience in supporting community-based organizations, as well as in mentoring within several programs supporting young people in entrepreneurship, notably the special three-year youth program TPS- YOUTH and the School-Z program.

Our team

Since one hand cannot make a basket, We need your support whatever the amount from all over the world we thank you in advance.