Nadine Mbah

I was 13 when the Anglophone crisis started. Before then, life was simple, school, friends, and quiet dreams about the future. Then everything changed. Classes became irregular, and safety was no longer guaranteed. Some days we stayed home; other days we walked into school unsure of what we might face. At Government Bilingual High School Fundong, learning stopped feeling normal and it became uncertain. In 2018, we had to relocate. We carried what we could and fled, like many others, searching for safety. I still remember trekking through narrow paths from Fundong to Wum in the rain with my mother, running from gunshots. Our property was burned, and starting over was not easy, but even in that moment, I knew I could not let go of my education.

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At 18, I started an initiative, Empower Her, with no funding and no team, just a decision to act. We led menstrual hygiene campaigns, supported children who lacked basic school needs, reached displaced families, worked with orphanages, and spoke to students about education and inequality.

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My journey has been shaped by the Anglophone crisis, loss, rebuilding, and the courage to stand my ground. But through it all, I have learned that you do not need perfect conditions to create change. Today, I use journalism and storytelling to amplify voices that are often ignored, especially those of women and communities affected by crisis. This commitment earned me recognition for advancing maternal healthcare through journalism, by the Cameroon association of English-Speaking Journalists, Bamenda Chapter. 

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 Joining Open Dreams has further strengthened my path, surrounding me with people who challenge me to grow and remain consistent. My story is still unfolding, but one thing is certain: even in uncertainty, it is possible to rise, to rebuild, and to create something meaningful.

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