Who we are
The Mike Yanou Foundation is a registered non-profit civil society organisation established in 2016 and officially registered in 2020 (Registration No. 171G.37/c84/VOLI/SAAJP). Headquartered in Buea, South West Region of Cameroon, we operate across the Fako, Meme, and Mezam Divisions of the South West and North West regions. Our vision is to create prosperous communities with functional families, where every individual—regardless of gender, age, or ability—can live with dignity, access opportunities, and thrive. We focus on key thematic areas including gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response, mental health and psychosocial support, drug abuse prevention, livelihood and poverty reduction, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Our programs are deeply community-rooted and inclusive. We implement parenting and mental health advocacy forums, empower persons with disabilities through life skills and tailored support, and provide livelihood assistance, counselling, and legal aid to single mothers. Through HIV stigma reduction campaigns, we advocate for the rights and dignity of those living with or affected by HIV. One of our most impactful initiatives, the HeForShe Movement, actively engages boys and men as allies in promoting gender equality and nonviolence, fostering healthier relationships and family dynamics. We’ve led successful initiatives such as “Restore Her Dignity” (reaching over 30,000 girls with menstrual health education and kits), drug-free schools and community programs, fatherhood conferences, widow support campaigns, and psychosocial care for children in orphanages. Our work is built on the belief that sustainable development begins with strong families, inclusive communities, and empowered individuals.
Our Executive Director
Madam Nicholine Awumbom Musi
Founder/Executive Director
Mme. Musi is a passionate and accomplished mental health advocate, trained under the Mental Health Leadership Fellowship by CDC Africa. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Mike Yanou Foundation, where she leads community-driven programs that promote gender equality, mental health, and inclusive development.
Prior to her leadership at the Foundation, Mme. Musi worked as a team leader and social worker at the Resource Development Centre, where she delivered evidence-based psychosocial interventions tailored to the needs of vulnerable populations. With a strong background in journalism, she previously served as the Health Editor for The Post Newspaper, focusing on sexual and reproductive health, and as the Editor of Among Youths Magazine, where she championed youth-centered reproductive health education.
Among her notable achievements is the Restore Her Dignity Project, which has reached over 30,000 girls with menstrual hygiene education and dignity kits across Cameroon. She has also played a central role in advancing the HeForShe Movement, engaging men and boys as allies in the fight against gender-based violence. Her leadership has significantly strengthened the Foundation’s mental health advocacy, SRHR programming, and support for vulnerable groups.
Under her direction, the Mike Yanou Foundation has supported countless single mothers through livelihood assistance, psychosocial care, and legal aid. She has also spearheaded disability inclusion efforts and community parenting forums to build functional, nurturing family environments.
Mme. Musi currently serves as the Media Lead for The African Widows Summit (TAWS), a premier annual conference held in Tanzania that addresses widowhood across Africa. She plays a key role in shaping the widowhood agenda within the African Union and serves as the focal point for TAWS in Cameroon.
In addition to her professional work, she sits on the Board of the St. Joseph Orphanage, where she has been actively involved for over eight years in fundraising efforts for the construction and operations of the facility. Through her unwavering dedication, Mme. Musi continues to make a lasting impact on communities by promoting dignity, resilience, and inclusive social transformation.