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When Auristine, along with six other women from her church, attended an economic empowerment training organized by Open Doors partners in northern Cameroon, she couldn't have imagined the impact it would have on her and her community.
And it's all thanks to your gifts and prayers.
Auristine's husband is a pastor. The couple lives in the city of Garoua, located in the north region of Cameroon. According to Auristine, many Christians in Garoua and the surrounding area are either not aware of persecution or do not give much weight to it.
To us, this might seem surprising. After all, the north region of Cameroon borders the Far North region, a "red zone" where Boko Haram—the infamous Islamic militant group—brutally attacks Christian communities to the point where believers must flee to the mountains each night. But in Garoua, the persecution experienced by Christians isn't violent; it's much quieter and more subversive. Where Auristine lives, the church faces marginalization in the community and marketplace. Economic enticements from Islam and open discrimination are common, especially for believers who have converted from Islam.
In 2019, Auristine and the six women from her church attended an economic empowerment training led by Open Doors partners. At the training, the women began to understand the reality of persecution in Cameroon—and they learned how to tell their local communities about it and to prepare for it.
That's why, in 2020, the seven women started a small group "Femmes Capables"—which means "Capable Women" (about 70% of Cameroon's population speaks French). And now, Femmes Capables has birthed groups in all 12 communities where their local church is present.
"At a discipleship level, we teach women how to evangelize, then we do Bible studies," Auristine says. "We teach the Word of God to women so that they can stand firm in times of adversity. Finally, we teach women how to save. They must be able to do things with their hands because God blesses the work of our hands."
The main group manufactures products like Neem oil (which has multiple uses, including as a pesticide) and soap. "Neem grains cost us nothing," Auristine explains. "These seeds fall from the trees, and we go to the villages. We pay women in these villages, and they collect 50 kg bags at 3,000 francs (about $5 US) per bag."
“I thank you very much for the training, the follow-ups, the support, and I pray that the Lord will repay you a hundredfold.”
Auristine
"When we receive it, we soak the seeds, dry them and then we can extract the oil," she continues. It takes about 10 kg of neem seeds to create a liter of oil. "A liter of the oil sells for 6,000 francs. That's a lot of profit!"
The women also create soap from neem oil and from other natural resources. "I can say that all these women are now financially autonomous and participate in the financial growth of their households and the church," Auristine says.
Besides group projects, each of the women have their individual income-generating activity. "Today, the women are thriving in the church, in their homes and even where they serve on a daily basis," Auristine says proudly. "Today, we are a women's association that can subsidize projects in their entireties. We have money in our accounts that allows everyone to take loans for projects. We make savings that are used to help families at the end of each year for their projects."
The group's dream is to grow these productions nationally and internationally. "There is a company in Yaoundé [the capital of Cameroon] that buys our soaps in large quantities every month," Auristine says. "It's a good start. I dream of seeing these products go further."
And Auristine traces all of this success back to the economic empowerment trainings that you helped support through your prayers and gifts to Open Doors. "I am grateful to the Lord for this seminar," she says. "I am able to see the women fulfilled and ready to face persecution if it arises here in Garoua. I thank you very much for the training, the follow-ups, the support, and I pray that the Lord will repay you a hundredfold."
This type of impact is incredibly important in Cameroon—and throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The region is the most violent place in the world for Christians, who risk death, displacement, marginalization and significant oppression for their faith. It's why Open Doors started the Arise Africa campaign, a multi-year effort to stop the violence and start the healing in sub-Saharan Africa. You can make a difference by signing a petition and committing to prayer—and to supporting efforts like economic empowerment seminars in Cameroon.
Your ongoing support has given new hope to these women and their communities. They are financially stable, but more importantly they are prepared to live out the Great Commission—even when persecution comes.
