atps

M E M B E R O R G A N I Z A T I O N

ACD-Sahel

Christian Association

for the Development of the Sahel

P R O F I L E

The Sahelian regions in Cameroon experience a set of socio-economic and ecological problems that are particular for the three Northern provinces of Cameroon. They include illiteracy and under-schooling especially among women and girls, rural exodus, endemic and epidemic diseases, low rainfall, underproduction of the land and destruction of crops by birds and insects, lack of drinking water, disquieting desertification. Social inequalities that lead to the harassment and exploitation of the rural population contribute further to the problems of hunger and poverty. Government actions have been inadequate and the churches that are present in the region seem to resign to the situation in passive silence.

However, a group of Protestant theologians and concerned Christians from the three Northern provinces of Cameroon is breaking through this silence and seeks to connect the preaching of the Gospel with social action for man's salvation in Jesus Christ. They see it as the task of the church in general and of pastors as God's servants in particular to play an active role in the integral development of men and women. These theologians have created the Association Chretienne pour le Developpement du Sahel (ACD-Sahel) and set out as its goals:

to reinforce the Christian ethics of Love, Hope and faith and sensitize the Churches and Society on man's responsibility in respect to his physical and social environment according to the plan of God the Creator; to develop and preach an integral theology to include the spiritual and social aspects of the Gospel at the example of Christ himself; to train local church workers in this respect.
to create and conduct development projects related to education of the disadvantaged layers of society and to help churches and village communities to develop income generating projects.
to sensitize youth, women and men on questions of social justice and human rights through seminars, publications and other ways of communication;
to put in place networks of solidarity, organize farmers into associations, and encourage partnerships between men and women;
to promote the schooling of girls; established specialized schools;
to fight rural exodus;
to improve food security by diversification of crops, usage of natural fertilization, irrigation, providing drinking water for animals by throwing up dams,; promote methods for optimal food conservation and storage;
to raise awareness among the populations on general environmental problems and problems of desertification: to fight commercial exploitation of wood, to limit firewood cutting, discourage practices of burning the fields, discourage extensive agriculture; encourage planting of trees adapted to the region and use of alternative heat sources; to dig wells; to fight the environmental destruction and pollution by industrial companies;
to educate the population on primary health care and preventive measures to fight against epidemics and endemics
to assist those afflicted by disasters;

ACD-Sahel has regrouped these goals in the domains of social justice, environment, agriculture and breeding, health, education, religious issues and capacity training and organizes its intervention through respective committees.