Home Cameroon Lum Nathalie Akum: A Passionate Advocate for the Elderly and a Catalyst for Change
CameroonPhilanthropy

Lum Nathalie Akum: A Passionate Advocate for the Elderly and a Catalyst for Change

Share
Share

When Lum Nathalie Akum speaks, you can feel the conviction in her voice, a reflection of her journey as a social worker, humanitarian, and gender advocate. Her story is one of resilience, passion, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of the elderly in Cameroon.

“My name is Lum Nathalie Akum. I am a Cameroonian from the Northwest, but I currently live and work in Buea, in the Southwest Region of the country,” she begins, sharing a piece of her identity that is closely tied to her work. “I’ve been a social worker, humanitarian, and gender advocate since 2015. I can honestly say that social work is what I was born for. I can’t do anything else but social work. It’s my passion.”

Nathalie’s journey has not been without its challenges, but her deep-rooted passion for serving others has driven her every step of the way. “I love to help people in need,” she says, her eyes lighting up as she speaks about her purpose. “I find joy and satisfaction in serving humanity. It’s the greatest reward for me.”

She fondly recalls her time working with various organizations, where she learned valuable lessons that shaped her into the strong woman she is today. “Serving other organizations has been worth it because there’s so much I’ve learned that has helped me build my confidence,” she shares. “After successfully coordinating a gender project with the last organization I worked with, I knew it was time to turn my dreams into reality. I was scared, yes, because I had faced so many failures in the past. But I dared to start, and it’s been one success after another.”

One of the most significant milestones of her journey was the birth of the Dorothy and Cecilia Memorial Foundation, a name that holds profound significance. “The foundation is named after my grandmothers—Dorothy and Cecilia—whose lives I was privileged to be a part of. They were strong women, and I wanted to keep their legacy alive,” Nathalie explains. “In a country like Cameroon, where elderly care is not widely recognized and where there are stereotypes surrounding aging, I felt compelled to do something. Many elderly people are abandoned or treated poorly, and some are even labeled as witches. But I had the opportunity to care for my grandmothers, and that experience opened my eyes to the challenges they faced. Even though they both passed within five months of each other, I felt this need to continue supporting the elderly in my community and beyond.”

As she reflects on the situation, Nathalie expresses her concern about the elderly who are left behind in villages, neglected while the younger generations travel to urban areas in search of work. “The fact that some elderly people are left behind in villages to take care of themselves with little or no support while the younger generation moves away is deeply worrying,” she admits. “I understand how draining it can be to offer care to elderly individuals, and this screams the need for psychosocial support services for caregivers. It’s a reality I couldn’t ignore, and that’s what fueled my desire to help.”

The foundation focuses on providing essential support to the elderly, especially in conflict-affected regions. Nathalie is quick to highlight the challenges she faces, particularly due to the ongoing Anglophone crisis in Cameroon, which has displaced many families, leaving the elderly to fend for themselves. “The need for elderly support has grown tremendously, but access to these communities is difficult due to security concerns and the presence of non-state armed groups,” she admits. “But with proper community engagement and security measures, we’ve been able to reach these communities and offer our help, all while adhering to the humanitarian principle of ‘Do No Harm.'”

Despite these challenges, Nathalie’s team has made significant strides. “We’ve been able to reach over 100 elderly individuals with support kits in the Northwest Region,” she proudly shares. “Our work has also opened doors for us to collaborate with the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Family. We even participated in the Central African Feminists’ Forum on the Beijing 30+.”

In a recent milestone, Nathalie’s hard work and determination bore fruit with the official launch of the Dorothy and Cecilia Memorial Foundation in Bamenda, Northwest Region. “Last week, we took one step forward. The grand launch was a momentous occasion for us to create awareness about our foundation and our areas of intervention,” she says with a smile. “The launch was held under the high patronage of the Ministry of Social Affairs, represented by the Delegate, and it was a proud moment for all of us. This event has opened doors for potential partnerships with the Ministry, paving the way for more projects and collaborations in the future.”

Dorothy and Cecilia Memorial Foundation is not limited to elderly care. Nathalie has ensured that the foundation addresses other critical issues affecting communities in Cameroon. “Our foundation also runs several other departments that advocate for community development and gender equality. Through our protection department, we focus on gender, child protection, and education in emergencies. We also have a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) department, which is especially relevant as urbanization continues to put pressure on waste management systems,” Nathalie shares. “We’ve seen firsthand the public health challenges that come with improper waste disposal, like the devastating effects of cholera. That’s why we’re working on sustainable waste management solutions, including sorting and recycling, to address these issues.”

For Nathalie, passion is at the heart of everything she does. When asked about the advice she would give to other entrepreneurs, she doesn’t hesitate: “Before you chase money, make sure you are passionate about what you do. Passion will be your driving force when the money runs out. It’s what will keep you going when things get tough.”

She also emphasizes the importance of technology in addressing societal challenges. “Technology is evolving rapidly, and it’s helping us find lasting solutions to problems. From toll-free lines to reminder apps, the possibilities are endless,” Nathalie says, her eyes bright with excitement. “We are planning a grand launch of our organization in Buea and Yaoundé, and we have several projects lined up, including comprehensive elderly support for conflict-stricken communities and a waste management initiative to improve public health.”

Looking back on her journey, Nathalie reflects on the most significant lesson she’s learned: “Anything driven by passion will thrive. Passion is that force that keeps you going, even when things are hard. Consistency pays off, and that’s my formula: Passion + Consistency = Success.”

Nathalie’s story is a testament to the power of passion, determination, and service to humanity. Her journey is still unfolding, but one thing is clear: Lum Nathalie Akum is a force for change, and the legacy she is building will continue to impact lives for years to come.

Share
Related Articles

From DRC to Uganda: Fazil’s Mission of Nutrition

Fazil Buffol’s journey to founding Masoka Nutrition for Development (MANUD) began with...

Dr. Murudo Kamhara-Mutape’s philanthropy drives Medinsight Health to the top

“When the question of a career choice was first asked in Grade...

Advocacy and Education: Prayer Nwagboso’s Mission to Empower Others

In the shadows of a world where the struggles of the vulnerable...

Acen Kevin Daniela’s Journey of Grace, Grit, and Generosity

Acen Kevin Daniela, is an enthusiast, Accountant, Actress and visionary philanthropist, whose...