As a sure means to enable adolescent girls meet up to the fast-paced technological world and fit into modern day systems, CAEPA Cameroon has today launched its E- Learning resource center in Mezam Division Mile 5 Nkwen. This has been engineered by the enrollment of 200 adolescent girls who fall within the ages of 10-19.

This initiative is part of the project titled "Scaling up the Girls Pride Programme" which is being implemented in Balikumbat Sub Division and Mezam Division of the North West Region in Cameroon. Today's activity follows a one month introductory session to computer studies where these girls have been tutored on computer operation. Enrolled here are out-of- school girls most of whom are school dropout and house wives at their adolescent stage. The center aims to give them access to education, digital knowledge and paves a leeway for entrepreneurship as the main facilitator Nkenfack Estelle explains "we are focused on the girl child because they are most vulnerable. In today's society parents give into marriage girls who are just 11, 12 and 15 years old with no life survival skill that is why our target is girls' ages 10-19 years old. Computer literacy is very important for girls, we are in a digital era and these girls need to meet up. At the center we teach computer studies and documentation services which also places them as entrepreneurs to create jobs for themselves. We educate these girls on managing internet fraudsters and take them on lessons to manage their internet activities".

To achieve a holistic impact, CAEPA shall train 40 field facilitators to educate adolescent girls in the communities of Mezam and Balikumbat Sub Division. This effort is critical in empowering young women with digital literacy skills essential for modern day careers. The center in Mezam, provides a safe, inclusive space where these girls can build their skills, regain access to education and enhance their future opportunities. The project coordinator Fenwi Linda, explains that this center shall be instrumental in bringing solutions to contribute to the agricultural sector in the organization "the E-Learning center brings the world together. It gives the opportunity to explore various technics in agriculture and identify other technologies. Presently, agriculture is affected by climate change and this center gives us a boarder view to solutions in order to interact with other stakeholders to identify various solutions to agricultural issues and broaden our reach with new innovations.

Though this program, CAEPA in collaboration with IGNITE shall support beneficiaries to transition back to formal education and pursue self-employment upon completion of their training. At the launch, Ngong Lois shares her journey so far "I have been educated on how to set up my machine by myself. I have been introduced to a program called Mavis Beacon where I have learnt typing and finger flexibility. I have learnt Microsoft word, editing a word document and how to upload pictures on my text. I have learnt to design pages which is what we are presently working on". She goes on to state the importance of this course to her "once I get a job I will not have problems working with the machine. The world has gone technological. Most companies use computer systems and I desire to be an accountant someday. This course makes me apt for the job market."

So far, the center has registered an overwhelming enrollment from the Mbororo community and just like other girls, they have high aspirations for the future. Halimatu Saide. 15 years old "I am positive that once I graduate from school and I get a job, I will work in a company that requires that I have knowledge in computer management. At that time, I would have gained very useful skills and equipped myself for the job market". Rugayatou Buba 14 years old "I intend to become a professional in computer reason why I will really love to further my education In that domain. I hope that one day I will open a center of my own and I shall train girls like myself"

Parents who marked present to the launching ceremony say that, the E-Learning resource center is a great privilege given to the community "this is a very great initiative and very profitable. We have many school dropout and this center helps to re-orientate them into society. We are so fortunate. I see many boys and girls rooming the streets with nothing to do. This center brings them back to track because from nothing you can become something" says Ntanui Steven.

The inauguration of this center comes at a period when the crisis has hampered activities in the region, deprived hundreds of girls from formal education, plunged many into rooming the streets and forced others to be internally displaced. One thing that gives satisfaction is the commitment and punctuality shown by these young girls who have begun taking the computer course. This goes a long way to indicate their readiness to learn. Given the overwhelming response to the call, CAEPA has sub divided these girls into batches of 40 persons per a batch for effective tutoring.