Progress of the Cameroon Cocoa Farm
Young cocoa plant growing in Cameroon. Photo by Serge Etele, November 2012
The Beth Yeshourun community of Cameroon is growing — cocoa plants, that is!
This summer, Kulanu advanced funds for Serge Etele and his team of farmers in the Beth Yeshourun community to purchase 100 hectares (247 acres) of farm land to grow cocoa, Cameroon’s leading crop. Their goal is to earn sufficient funds from harvesting cocoa to support their Jewish community and educate their young people. The land was acquired in time to begin planting this year, and Serge has already sent us photos showing the fruits of their labors! We are thrilled at this amazing progress, and delighted to share the news – and some photos – with all of you.
This major landmark for the community’s development was made possible by the generosity of Kulanu donors — many of whom were inspired to support the farm project after learning about Beth Yeshourun from Serge Etele, a promising community leader, during the first Kulanu-Cameroon Speaking Tour in spring, 2012. Now, thanks to “all of us” coming together, this inspiring African Jewish community is making great progress. Click here to see a photo album showing the farm, the farmers, and the cocoa plants.
The cocoa farm project began with the vision that profits from the farm will allow the Beth Yeshourun community to support themselves economically, and to build a synagogue (right now they meet in Serge’s parents’ home for services and studying). Many people in this impoverished African country survive on just one meal a day, and students have not had the $100 per year needed to attend university. This Kulanu-supported cocoa farm provides Beth Yeshourun members hope that their goal of self-sufficiency and a thriving Jewish presence in Africa will become reality.
Photo collage from the Cameroon Cocoa Farm project proposal (2012)
Click image to read the proposal as a PDF.
To read the full community cocoa farm project proposal and budget, click hereor go to the “Articles & Links” section of www.kulanu.org/cameroon. You can donate online now through the Kulanu-Cameroon Cocoa Farm Fundraising Page (or find other ways to give at www.kulanu.org/donate) and help Beth Yeshourun grow. For those of you who have already contributed to the cocoa farm, thank you – your early investment enabled Kulanu to advance these funds.
I look forward to keeping you updated on the cocoa farm!
– Harriet
Harriet Bograd, President
Learn more: kulanu.org/cameroon
Donate: tinyurl.com/cocoafarmfund