Omam Esther, Executive Director, Reach Out Cameroon.
Global Peace Champion and Executive Director of Reach Out Cameroon, Njomo Omam Esther Eringo Cha Ekombo, has been distinguished with the Youths of Ndian Division Award at Capitol Hotel Buea. The recognition, conferred on Friday, August 29, 2025, celebrated her relentless dedication to peacebuilding, women’s empowerment, and community transformation in one of Cameroon’s most conflict-affected regions.
In a moving acceptance speech, Omam Esther described the award as “a gift beyond words,” dedicating it to the resilience of the people of Ndian Division. She said it represents not only her work, but the shared sacrifices of families, youths, and women who continue to hold their communities together in the midst of crisis.
“This recognition is not just for me. It is for every child who still dares to dream in the midst of gunfire, for every mother who has held her family together in the face of unimaginable loss, and for every father who believes in the possibility of a peaceful and prosperous Ndian,” she declared.
A Journey of Service Amid Crisis
Omam Esther has long stood at the forefront of grassroots peacebuilding and humanitarian response. Through Reach Out Cameroon, she has spearheaded initiatives that provide education, healthcare, livelihood support, and platforms for dialogue in communities scarred by violence.
Omam Esther, Appreciating the Organizers.She highlighted milestones achieved with partners and local actors: empowering women to leadership roles, equipping youths with skills and opportunities, and restoring dignity to families torn apart by conflict. These achievements, she stressed, belong to the collective resilience of the people rather than to her alone.
Award as a Call to Action
While the ceremony marked a celebration, the laureate insisted that it should also serve as a call to action for leaders and youths alike.
“To the youths of Ndian Division: you are the heartbeat of this land. Rise. Innovate. Lead. Refuse to be tools of violence or division,” she urged. “To our leaders and policymakers: create space for dialogue, for opportunity, for healing. Let us not continue to bury our future with every bullet fired, with every opportunity denied.”
Omam Esther, Presenting the Award.Dedication and Prayer
In dedicating the award, Omam Esther paid tribute to the staff of Reach Out Cameroon, her family, and women leaders who, like her, continue to serve at great personal sacrifice. She closed her speech with a prayer for a Division “where dialogue is the first response, not the last; where truth is never treated as an enemy; and where forgiveness and reconciliation are embraced.”
The recognition adds to her growing legacy as a symbol of resilience, peace, and transformation in Cameroon. For many, it reaffirms the vital role of women leaders and civil society in steering divided communities toward healing and sustainable development.
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