Cameroon Catalyst logo

Cameroon Catalyst is a student-led international development charity focused on promoting sustainable development in rural Cameroon! The charity brings together students, engineers and specialists to develop projects which are carefully researched, well designed and fulfil a real need. Our mission is to empower local communities and give them the tools to develop and grow long beyond our projects!

We’ve had a successful start to the autumn semester. Our committee has promoted the society at both the University’s Fresher’s Fair and the College of Engineering & Physical Sciences’ Fair generating a large amount of interest from students. We now have more than three times the number of volunteers from last year who are enthusiastic about being a catalyst for change!

Cameroon Catalyst at societies fairs

Student involvement is at the heart of the charity and crucial to our success. Supported by a team of dedicated trustees, student teams lead the design, construction and fundraising of water and sanitation projects, and the society provides fantastic hands-on experience in engineering development and the not-for-profit sector. Who wouldn’t want to join us?!

Within our committee, we have elected a new Treasurer and Assistant Design Team Coordinator who are committed to our projects. Additionally we have organised our first fundraising event of the term, a live music event with Birmingham-based band Shai Brides and Music Midge which took place in October and helped to raise awareness of Cameroon Catalyst and the work we do.

camcat fundraising bands night

The Design Team is focused on developing drawings for a new design of a communal latrine to be constructed in Cameroon this summer, with the team working on location, materials and technology. In November we attended a design workshop in London to collaborate with other volunteers at our partnered universities: University of Southampton and Imperial College London.

Our Fundraising Team have started preparations for our annual cultural showcase Pangea, which will bring together different societies for a fun night full of performances and international food. The team are excited to plan a range of fundraising events and socials throughout the term, which will be promoted across our social media platforms – please keep your eyes open! Throughout the year we’ll hold regular fundraising and social activities to fund our projects and our first bake sale of the year will take place in December.

We’re free to join and are always looking for new members, new ideas and new activities so get involved! Take a look at our  Facebook page, and follow us with @camcatbham on Instagram to stay up to date with us. You can also find more information about the charity in general and our past projects at: www.camerooncatalyst.org.

Gemini Joshi
Birmingham Student Chapter President