Through the Eyes of Innocence: Cameroon’s Children Speak ... | The Colbert Factor

Through the Eyes of Innocence: Cameroon's Children Speak on 42 Years of Paul Biya (originally written in 2024) Colbert Gwain

Children are, indeed, a delightful nuisance. For all their mischief, they bring a warmth and pride to every home that’s unmatched. It’s no wonder some men insist on a pregnant bride before taking that fateful walk to the altar. And for those without children, the quest often stretches to the furthest lengths—from test-tube fertility treatments to fervent prayers in spiritual churches—all in pursuit of that little blessing. Yes, children might break a dish today, tear a book tomorrow, or spill a bottle of oil before the week’s end. But even in their endless antics, they remain life’s most cherished gift.

Children, as playful as they are, often surprise us with insights beyond their years. In their mischief, they might call out from under the bed covers, inviting parents or siblings to search for them, or break a glass right before your eyes and then insist they didn’t do it. A child may even sneak a piece of fruit behind their back, claiming innocence with a grin.

Parents often think kids are simply too young to know much, and it’s common to hear “Shut up, what do you know?” That same dismissive attitude is often mirrored by governments and policymakers, who seldom consider children’s voices, forgetting that kids are perceptive and aware. In truth, children know more than we often realize.

A young boy from Muteff village in Fundong, Cameroon’s Boyo Division, proved just that. At age six, he told his father he wanted to be a journalist when he grew up. Dismissing it as childhood whimsy, his father laughed it off. Yet three years later, the boy brought it up again, but this time he said he wanted to become a doctor. When asked why he’d changed his mind, the boy’s response was chilling: “I don’t want to be killed.” His shift in ambition likely came after hearing about the brutal killing of Samuel Wazizi, a journalist murdered in Buea. Children like him are always watching, forming ideas about the world based on the events around them.

Inspired by this, we asked 42 children aged 6 to 15 across Cameroon what they think of President Paul Biya as he marks his 42nd year in power at 91 years old. Their responses reveal dreams, fears, and hopes for the future. Younger children mostly talked about their schooling experiences, while older kids voiced concerns about democracy and human rights. But all of them expressed their views with a mix of humor, honesty, and innocence.

Nine-year-old Sarah didn’t mince her words: “I don’t like President Paul Biya. He doesn’t listen to kids. If he did, he would make ice cream free at our school! My parents can’t buy us ice cream every day, so I give him 3 out of 10.” Seven-year-old Michael, on the other hand, seemed more resigned: “I only see him on TV. He doesn’t care about us. He cares only about his children. I give him 2 out of 10.” Then there was Sophia, an 11-year-old with a sharp sense of humor who said, “All I know about the President is that he has a funny mustache. I give him 3.5 out of 10.”

Others were more concerned about their daily lives and futures. Max, 10, wanted more spaces for fun and adventure, saying, “President Biya should build us more amusement parks, so we’re not stuck in school all day. I give him 5 out of 10.” Linda, 9, loved school but was tired of carrying heavy books every day. “He should make break time longer. I like to play more, so I give him 4 out of 10.” Six-year-old Lucy’s concerns hit closer to home. She said, “Sometimes my family doesn’t have enough food. If the President helps my parents get jobs, I’d give him 8 out of 10.”

As we traveled to more communities, more children opened up with their thoughts. Joan, who appreciated the President’s efforts to build schools, rated him 7 out of 10 for helping improve the country’s economy. Hobson, 13, was troubled that many kids in his village couldn’t go to school because their families couldn’t afford the fees, while 13-year-old Brian hoped for more schools, saying, “My school is overcrowded. I hope the President builds more schools.”

Among the voices, some children expressed a profound desire for equality and opportunities. Relindis, 14, gave the President a 6 out of 10, noting, “We need more teachers, doctors, and free education.” Allen, 15, shared his thoughts on the risks young Cameroonians take in search of a better life abroad: “We need opportunities so that young people don’t have to risk their lives crossing seas and borders. I wish he would support small businesses here.”

Then came the bolder voices. Fifteen-year-old Milton shared his fear of attending school in a region afflicted by violence: “We’re dying of hunger and fear. The President should end the war.” Fourteen-year-old Stella asked why the President had stayed in office so long, saying, “As a young Cameroonian, I’m not happy seeing the same person ruling every day. In school, they keep changing our teachers each class year, but why does he stay the same?” Emily, also 15, added, “My father is 42 years old. When will it be his turn to lead, so I can also travel like the President’s children do?”

Other children voiced frustrations that hit at the heart of their family struggles. Fourteen-year-old William, whose parents both hold degrees yet struggle financially, remarked, “He lets his people steal from the country, while my parents can’t get good jobs. He’s done nothing for the economy.” Stephanie, 15, summed up their shared frustration: “President Biya needs to do better. We young Cameroonians deserve a better future.”

And perhaps most poignant of all was Joshua, who at 14 could already grasp the impact of prolonged violence: “He has allowed people to carry guns freely. They are killing us, and he doesn’t stop the war. He doesn’t seem to care about us.”

The children’s responses paint a picture of innocence laced with understanding and an urge for change. In their honesty, they remind us of what a country could be—a place where families thrive, communities are peaceful, and every child has a chance to grow. Their voices are a stark reminder that every citizen’s experience matters, no matter their age, in building a united Cameroon. And even if those in power aren’t listening, these young voices won’t be silenced. They are the Gen Z. They. Are. The. Gen Z.

In such perilous times as we live in, communities need access to information that reflects their diverse lives and values and is responsive to their priorities and feedback. As part of our trusting news engagement, we are committed to comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comforted who are holding back social change.

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