Our History

The Shemka Foundation was founded on December 18, 2000 in memory of the late Simon Shemka Shang, who passed away on December 14, 1987. The foundation was started by the children of Simon Shemka and Olive Bongfen Shang, to carry on the legacy of the ideas and principles that their parents worked for.

As director of Community Development in Cameroon's Ministry of Agriculture, Simon Shemka believed in worked closely with rural communities to develop strategies and programs to revitalize and sustain development within these communities. Above all he recognized the importance of the community's participation in this process:

In rural development, the people's own effort is primordial and indispensable. They will forever appreciate what they participated in creating, and they will ensure the future maintenance of the infrastructure . . . This rural population needs to be prepared . . . They need to be accorded their dignity if their participation has to be willing.
Simon Shemka Shang, 1985

Olive Shang also recognized the importance of community participation community development, especially the impact of women's networks. A pioneer in her own right, she produced and hosted "Calling the Women", a weekly radio program that focused on women and highlighted the importance and participation of women in the socio-economic development of the country. Olive also served for a long time as president of Kongadzem, one of the most successful and influential women's organizations in the country. Olive Shang is now retired and lives in her home in Sop, from where she serves as an adviser for the Board of Directors of the foundation.

Inspired by the work of these two pioneers, The Shemka Foundation is committed to carrying on the ideals of community development-helping to build self-sufficient communities with community-based economies, community education, and community owned and operated social services.

Shemka

... bringing help to people who need it most ...