Betty Nancy Fonyuy is a Certified Behavioral Analyst, Speech and language therapist, and Special Educator with more than seven years of experience. She is currently the Director of Timely Performance Care Center, an organization providing special education to children with disability, and providing healthcare to elderly people in her community.

She is passionate about the vulnerable people in her community and has carried out campaigns and outreach programs in the community to create awareness about persons with disabilities and their rights. She has also organized multiple seminars and workshops to create awareness and empower parents of children with disabilities on how to care for and educate their children. Those seminars have given hope to so many parents and members of the community. Betty has a degree in Healthcare Management from the University of Zürich. She is among many who are working to empower children and persons with disabilities in Cameroon. She hosts multiple social media live videos on Facebook and TikTok where she creates awareness of persons with disability and the rights of the vulnerable in her community.

IVLP Impact Award Project: Advocacy Role of Youth in Human Rights & Rights of Persons Living with Disabilities

The project empowered young people in Cameroon to become effective advocates for the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs). The project addressed the challenges that PWDs face in accessing education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, which exacerbate their marginalization and hinder their ability to contribute fully to society. It raised awareness about the rights of PWDs, and improved their access to education, employment and healthcare services.

Fifteen days of intensive workshops were conducted for 355 youth leaders from diverse backgrounds to develop their knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage in meaningful advocacy efforts around disability rights, human rights and inclusion. Pre- and post-workshop surveys demonstrated a significant increase in participants' knowledge of human rights and disability rights frameworks, with an average gain of 20%.

Twenty-two community outreach events were organized in underserved areas, engaging with more than 250 youth and community members to raise awareness and promote discussion on human rights and disability rights. 

The project established a mentorship program matching 2,000 young participants in schools and communities with experienced human rights and disability rights advocates for individualized guidance and support. A multi-platform public awareness campaign was launched, with 1,500 social media engagements and 5 articles highlighting the importance of the role of youth in advocating for disability and human rights. 

Betty was also a panelist for the IVLP Impact Awards Alumni Discussion Series panel on “Inclusion and Accessibility for Disability Rights,” which you can read more about here.

Explore Betty's insights on her IVLP Impact Award project and IVLP experience in this in-depth article, highlighting the power of global collaboration and cultural exchange: IVLP Impact Awards Perspectives: Stories of Inclusion Part III | Meridian Blog

 

"This project has given me a voice and empowered me to fight for what is right. I never thought I could make such a difference, but now I know that young people have the power to create change and that disability rights are human rights." Project Participant

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Betty participated in the IVLP Project Human and Civil Rights for Marginalized Communities, organized by the U.S. Department of State and World Learning, in partnership with Global Ties Arkansas, Tulsa Global Alliance and the U.S. Department of State Office of International Visitors program branch in New York City.

Betty's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "During my IVLP experience I was challenged by the strong movement for human rights in the United States and inspired by Martin Luther King Jr."

U.S. Communities Visited

Little Rock, AR; Washington, DC, New York City, NY; Tulsa, OK

"[Martin Luther King Jr.] was a strong human and civil right activist before his death and the [Civil Rights] Movement continued. So, I believe I have to stand for the rights of vulnerable people especially PWDs until they are seen and valued in Cameroon." - Betty Nancy Fonyuy

Country: Cameroon 

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