AEHD-USA recently journeyed to Cameroon’s Eastern Region to meet with Baka Pygmy families, hear their stories, and begin laying the foundation for an inclusive educational program.

On the outreach led by Ngeh Chrysantus, our team spent a week dialoguing with families and community leaders.

The Baka are Indigenous forest communities, among the most marginalized groups in the country. Their children face daunting barriers that keep them trapped in a cycle of poverty and exclusion:

• • 57.8% of Baka children aged 2–12 are stunted by malnutrition, stifling both their physical and cognitive development (Resilient Landscapes).

• • Over half drop out after just one school term, often because hunger, lack of supplies, and missing birth certificates push them out of classrooms (UNICEF).

• • 87% have never seen a dentist, even though oral infections are widespread (PMC).

• • Many families are displaced by conflict in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions, adding to their vulnerability.

Despite these stark realities, the children’s eyes tell another story—one of resilience, hope, and an unshaken desire to learn. With the right support, their dreams of attending school, staying healthy, and growing with dignity can become reality.

AEHD- USA made the following actionable observations:

What Support Makes Possible

A gif can directly transforms the daily lives of Baka children:

$1.50 provides a nourishing meal for a child for one day—fuel for learning.

$50 feeds a child for an entire month.

$120 covers a year of school fees and supplies for one child.

$500 funds mobile health screenings for a whole community of children.

Every contribution—whether a meal, a month of food, or a year of school—ensures that a child is seen, valued, and given a chance to thrive.