Welcome to Bright Light Projects (BLP) month of February 2024 newsletter,

January 25, 2024 in Bamenda at T Junction is where about 15 Commercial machines were installed to give birth to the BLP Empowerment Centre. The Centre now awaits its first batch of students in March 2024. Thank you to all our donors and supporters. We promised you this and with your help, this is the BLP Empowerment Centre.

The establishment of a BLP Empowerment Centre is necessary to address the challenges faced by young people, particularly in the northwest and southwest regions of Cameroon, due to the Anglophone Crisis. The center would prioritize education, reintegration, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment through initiatives such as scholarships, mentorship, vocational training, and support for starting businesses. It would also offer counseling and psychosocial support to those affected by displacement, mental health issues, and substance abuse. Collaboration among stakeholders is essential, including the government, NGOs, and community organizations, to implement comprehensive strategies. Sustainable livelihood opportunities, rebuilding education systems, and addressing root causes like the socio-political crisis are crucial for the development and well-being of young men in these regions.

The approach to poverty alleviation in sub-Saharan Africa has often relied on handouts, fostering a dependency mentality. Bright Light Projects' initiative seeks to break this cycle by providing opportunities for beneficiaries to become self-reliant and contribute positively to their communities. Through programs like Mend the Gap, Girls Shall Rise, Young Men Entrepreneurship, and others, BLP focuses on skills training, mentorship, and entrepreneurship to improve human capital development. With a majority of the global youth population residing in sub-Saharan Africa and high levels of youth unemployment, it's crucial to engage youths positively by equipping them with the skills needed to become successful entrepreneurs and valuable assets to their communities.

BLP Empowerment Centre will provide:

• Vocational training skills which are instructional programs or courses that focus on the skills required for a particular job function or trade. In vocational training, education prepares students for specific careers.
• A sustainable outlet for our programs enabling us to train more students cutting down on huge expenses BLP is paying now to train our beneficiaries
• It will provide a revenue stream to sustain the organization, staff, and operations 
• Graduating students will have a home and a job to perfect their skills and gain more business knowledge preparing them for the outside world of business
• The center will generate income to provide startup business kits for graduation students easing their journey to entrepreneurship or dependence on grants 
• BLP will not rely on grants to maintain operations as income will be generated locally for program expansion and scalability
• Developing community-based networks, social support networks
• STEM education for young People
• Business development courses including marketing and Public speaking
• Financial literacy workshops and other workshops for empowering youths, kids, and adults

BLP is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity Organization in the United States of America, the Republic of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, and Nigeria

Thank you for your support. Bright Light Projects can always count on your divine hearts in supporting our work in rebuilding broken communities

Sincerely;

Franco Bonghan - Executive Director - BLP