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Cameroon
ACORN International currently affiliated with two powerful grassroots organizations in Cameroon:
1. OnEstEnsemble – Community Organizing Movement
Following a community organizing forum in Douala in September 2016, OnEstEnsemble was launched by a group of Cameroonian citizens. In March 2017, a team of organizers began door-to-door canvassing in the Bepanda district of Douala, meeting hundreds of residents and laying the foundations for a citizens’ union.
Organizational Growth
In its first year, OnEstEnsemble:
- Mobilized nearly 2,000 citizens
- Welcomed 300 active members
- Established neighborhood committees through democratic citizen assemblies
- Leveraged the global ACORN International organizing network
Community Victories
The organization quickly achieved significant improvements for working-class neighborhoods:
- Resumed suspended public works
- Developed neighborhood alleys
- Improved water infrastructure
- Replaced dangerous electrical poles
- Increased trash collection frequency in neglected areas
Organizational Structure
OnEstEnsemble operates on principles of:
- Democratic participation
- Transparency
- Community-driven decision-making
Its national office is elected by the Interquartier Council, which represents committees from all organized districts, ensuring grassroots leadership.
Key Leader
Alfred Kamkuimo
Contact
onestensemblecameroun@gmail.com
Chapters
- Douala
Publications:
2. STRASCAS – Sugar Cane Workers Union
STRASCAS represents over 4,000 sugar cane workers at SOSUCAM, advocating for workers’ rights in the plantations and processing facilities outside of Yaoundé. The union fights for fair wages, workplace safety, and dignity for workers, particularly those from the Tupuri people who face systemic exploitation.
Shared Mission
Both organizations are committed to organizing low and moderate-income communities, pursuing social, economic, and environmental justice through grassroots power-building.
These groups represent a growing movement of community and worker organizing in Cameroon, addressing critical challenges through collective action and democratic participation.
ACORN Cameroon Photo Gallery
Latest News from ACORN Cameroon
- OnEstEnsemble Women Complete GBV Training and Strengthen Community Safety in Douala
In Douala, the women of the OnEstEnsemble completed a Gender Based Violence training that prepares women to be leaders in the fight against GBV in their communities.… Read more: OnEstEnsemble Women Complete GBV Training and Strengthen Community Safety in Douala - STRASCAS marches for workers’ rights in Cameroon
?? STRASCAS marches for workers’ rights in Cameroon ?? On this year’s 139th International Workers’ Rights Day, ACORN International affiliate STRASCAS led a powerful protest… Read more: STRASCAS marches for workers’ rights in Cameroon - OnEstEnsemble’s Persistent Advocacy Brings Douala Footbridge to 90% Completion!
In 2020, intense flooding took out an important footbridge connecting neighborhoods in Douala. For the next four years, the OnEstEnsemble advocated tirelessly to rebuild this vital link… Read more: OnEstEnsemble’s Persistent Advocacy Brings Douala Footbridge to 90% Completion! - Cheers to The OnEstEnsemble Citizen Alliance Safe Water Victory
The OnEstEnsemble Citizen Alliance had an incredible win in January! After several years without easy access to safe drinking water, construction has begun to connect… Read more: Cheers to The OnEstEnsemble Citizen Alliance Safe Water Victory - Cameroon: peasant crops destroyed by Sosucam’s aerial expanses, OnEstEnsemble organizes protest
OnEstEnsemble organized a protest with the eco-union of residents near the SOSUCAM sugar cane plantations. These residents’ crops of cassava, peanuts and yams were destroyed… Read more: Cameroon: peasant crops destroyed by Sosucam’s aerial expanses, OnEstEnsemble organizes protest
ACORN Affiliates
Updates from the Field
- ACORN Union UK Launches National Campaign to Protect TenantsACORN Union UK held its first-ever national convention in Bristol, bringing together over 200 members from across England and Wales for a day of workshops, strategy sessions, and action planning. The convention marked the launch of their new national campaign, Bailiffs Out of Britain, which calls for an end to the use of private bailiffs… Read more: ACORN Union UK Launches National Campaign to Protect Tenants
- Living Rent Hits the Streets for Tenant VoicesIn July, Living Rent took to the Barras to engage with supporters of strong rent control and collect signatures for their petition. While the government consulted landlords on rent controls, tenants were left out of the conversation—Living Rent is stepping in to ensure the voices of working people are heard.
- Honoring Bold Leadership at the Hurricane Katrina MemorialIn Louisiana, A Community Voice hosted the Hurricane Katrina Memorial and Awards to recognize the remarkable organizing efforts of local community members. Leaders including Tanya Harris-Glasow from Anthropocene Alliance and members of Louisiana Grassroots United were honored for their courage and dedication, exemplifying what it means to fight for justice and resilience in the face… Read more: Honoring Bold Leadership at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial
- Big Wins for ACORN UK: Rent Reductions and Successful Eviction ResistanceACORN Liverpool scored a major victory this month, stopping a planned rent hike and securing an 80% reduction for nearly 300 households. Meanwhile, ACORN Coventry successfully resisted an eviction after a member requested reasonable accommodations for his disability. Members rallied outside the apartment for over 10 hours, and the landlord ultimately canceled the eviction, showing… Read more: Big Wins for ACORN UK: Rent Reductions and Successful Eviction Resistance
- ACORN Ontario Hosts “Boiling Point” Meeting to Tackle Extreme Heat in HousingACORN Ontario brought together over 120 members and allies in a high-energy online meeting called Boiling Point to demand urgent action on extreme heat in housing. Leaders from five cities shared updates on local campaigns, including maximum temperature bylaws and tracking heat-related deaths. ACORN Hamilton celebrated a major victory after months of organizing, successfully negotiating… Read more: ACORN Ontario Hosts “Boiling Point” Meeting to Tackle Extreme Heat in Housing
- CATU Ireland Leads Massive Global Rally for Housing JusticeAt the start of July, CATU Ireland mobilized 29 branches across 32 countries, bringing thousands of people together for an all-island rally demanding public homes on public land and an end to homelessness and exploitation. Following this powerful day of action, CATU has continued winning local battles, fighting evictions, raising community awareness of housing injustice,… Read more: CATU Ireland Leads Massive Global Rally for Housing Justice
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