DEVELOPEMENT

Mrs Jessy Eben Mpwate

Development Secretary

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN CAMEROON

 The Development Department of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC)

1. Introduction

Established in 1970, the Development Department of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) is led by the Development Secretary, who oversees a wide array of institutions, programs, and projects focused on community-based development. These initiatives span multiple sectors, but are not limited to:

  • Income-generating activities
  • Vocational training
  • Women and gender empowerment
  • Agriculture
  • Healthcare
  • Water and sanitation
  • Environment and climate change
  • Advocacy
  • Humanitarian assistance
  • Other thematic areas (migration, human trafficking, modern slavery etc)

 

The department also serves as a strategic platform for fostering development partnerships between the PCC and organisations across both the Global South and Global North. It plays a vital role in facilitating communication and collaboration between the Church and external development agencies.

As a key arm of the PCC, the Development Department is committed to empowering communities, promoting well-being, and advancing social and economic justice. Its mission is rooted in inclusivity, ensuring that no individual or group is marginalised or excluded.

This transformative journey prioritises those most often left behind due to factors such as:

  • Gender, age, culture, ethnicity, race, language, or religion
  • Disability, crises, or natural disasters
  • Unemployment and socioeconomic vulnerability
  • Migration, asylum, refugee, and displacement status
  • Health and, most especially, stigmatising health conditions

The department actively addresses structural inequalities, social and cultural barriers, and intersectional vulnerabilities. It envisions a future where equality prevails and every person is valued and included.

2. Goal, Vision, and Mission

 

Goal

  • To contribute towards sustainable economic growth and development in Cameroon.

 

Vision

  • To make PCC a self-sufficient Church that contributes to people living life in fullness. A church that stands as one of the strongest partners in development in Cameroon.

 

Mission

  • To accelerate the attainment of life in dignity for PCC Christians and communities and to be part of the solution

 

 3. Core Values

The Development Department at PCC is guided by a set of core values that define its character and purpose. We are committed to embedding these principles throughout the organisation, ensuring they endure beyond the scope of any strategic plan.

Our values encompass:

  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Collaboration and participation
  • Excellence and innovation
  • Accountability and integrity
  • Fairness and equality
  • Respect and trust
  • Capacity building across all initiatives

These values are not just ideals—they are the foundation of everything we do.

 4. Units Under the Development Department

The department operates through a diverse network of institutions, including:

1. Prescraft Bamenda (on retreat to reorganise)

Prescraft Bamenda is a renowned handicraft centre in Cameroon that showcases and sells traditional, locally made arts and crafts. Located in the heart of Bamenda, Prescraft—short for “Presbyterian Handicraft Centre”—serves as both a cultural hub and a social enterprise. It offers a wide range of handcrafted items such as intricately woven textiles, wood carvings, jewellery, and pottery, all created by skilled local artisans. Beyond being a shopping destination, Prescraft plays a vital role in community development by providing employment and training opportunities for artisans, especially women and youth, preserving Cameroonian cultural heritage through the promotion of traditional crafts and supporting sustainable livelihoods by connecting artisans with local and international markets. The centre also includes a small café and often features exhibitions or displays by local artists, making it a vibrant space for both visitors and the community

 

2. Presbyterian Rural Training Centre, Fonta

The Presbyterian Rural Training Centre (PRTC) Fonta is a community-based development institution, focused on rural empowerment through vocational and agricultural training. Located in the North West Region of Cameroon, PRTC Fonta plays a vital role in equipping individuals—especially youth, practicing farmers, and women—with practical skills for self-reliance, modern agricultural techniques, and sustainable livelihoods. Its programs typically include agricultural training in crop production, animal husbandry, and sustainable farming techniques, vocational skills development such as carpentry, tailoring, and food processing, and community education on health, environmental conservation, and entrepreneurship

PRTC Fonta is part of the PCC’s broader mission to promote holistic development, reduce poverty, and foster resilience in rural communities.

3. Presbyterian Wood Work Training Centre (Tellco-Preswood), Ombe

Tellco-Preswood, Ombe is a vocational and production centre established in 1987 by the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, specializing in woodwork training and furniture manufacturing. Located in the Ombe industrial zone, Tellco-Preswood serves a dual purpose: Vocational Training: It equips individuals—especially youth—with practical skills in carpentry, joinery, and furniture design, fostering self-reliance and employment opportunities.

Furniture Production: The centre manufactures a wide range of wooden products, including office, household, school, hospital, and hotel furniture, as well as fittings like doors, ceilings, and kitchen installations.

Tellco-Preswood is a key development initiative in the PCC, combining skill-building with enterprise to support community empowerment and economic growth.

 

4. Presbyterian Rural Training Centre, Manyemen

The Presbyterian Rural Training Centre (PRTC) Manyemen is a community-focused development institution dedicated to empowering rural populations through practical training and sustainable development initiatives.

Located in the South West Region of Cameroon, PRTC Manyemen offers programs that aim to: equip individuals with vocational and agricultural skills to promote self-reliance and improve livelihoods, support rural development through training in areas such as sustainable farming, animal husbandry, and small-scale enterprise, and promote environmental awareness and community resilience in underserved areas.

As part of the PCC’s broader development strategy, PRTC Manyemen plays a vital role in reducing poverty, fostering local leadership, and strengthening rural communities through hands-on education and capacity building.

 

5. Preshostel, Buea

Preshostel Buea is a hospitality facility operated by the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, offering affordable accommodation primarily for university students. Located in Buea, a vibrant university town in the South West Region of Cameroon, Preshostel serves as a safe and convenient, and affordable lodging option. It typically provides: basic, budget-friendly rooms suitable for short- and long-term stays, proximity to educational institutions like the University of Buea and other higher institutions of learning, and a secure and supportive environment for youths.

Preshostel is part of the PCC’s broader development infrastructure, contributing to community support and accessibility in a region known for its academic and cultural significance.

 

6. Information, Communication and Technology Centre, Buea

The Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Centre in Buea is a vocational training institution established by the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) to combat youth unemployment through digital empowerment.

The ICT Centre offers certified training programs in various areas of Information Technology, including computer literacy, software applications, hardware maintenance, and networking. The ICT Centre focuses on youth empowerment, especially in the North West and South West regions, consulting and IT services offered alongside training and accredited vocational status, ensuring recognized certification for graduates

The Centre plays a vital role in bridging the digital skills gap and fostering economic resilience among young Cameroonians.

 

7. Synod Office Guest House, Buea

The Synod Office Guest House in Buea is a hospitality facility offering comfortable and affordable lodging for church visitors, program participants, and the general public. Strategically located near the PCC Synod Office, the guest house serves as a convenient accommodation option for Church officials and guests attending meetings, conferences, or retreats, mission partners and volunteers working on PCC development projects, travellers and tourists seeking a peaceful and welcoming environment in Buea, and the general public.

The facility typically features well-maintained rooms, basic amenities, and a serene atmosphere aligned with the PCC’s values of hospitality and service. It contributes to the Church’s broader mission by supporting community engagement and providing a reliable space for rest and fellowship.

 

8. Presbyterian Youth Complex, Limbe

The Presbyterian Youth Complex (PYC) Limbe is a vocational training and empowerment center located at Half Mile in Limbe. PYC Limbe is dedicated to building life skills and competencies among young people, with a strong focus on vocational education, self-reliance, and community development. The center offers training programs in various trades and practical skills, aiming to equip youth with tools for employment and entrepreneurship. Key highlights include: hands-on vocational training in areas such as tailoring, catering, and ICT, support for youth empowerment and self-employment, and a welcoming space for community engagement and development activities.

The complex also serves as a venue for events and manages the PCC uniform Project and, operates a restaurant for sustainability.

 

9. Presbyterian Higher Institute of Health Technology and Business Studies, Limbe

The Presbyterian Nursing School, Limbe, is a professional training institution dedicated to preparing competent and compassionate healthcare workers and professionals in the management and business domains. Located in Limbe, the school offers: comprehensive nursing education aligned with national health, management, and business standards, practical, theoretical, and ethical training, and a faith-based learning environment that emphasizes service, integrity, and community services.

The school plays a vital role in strengthening Cameroon’s healthcare and other professional systems by producing qualified professionals who will serve nationally and internationally. It is part of the PCC’s broader commitment to holistic development and human well-being.

 

10. Presbyterian Livestock Training Centre

PresLivestock is a livestock development initiative located in Dibanda, Tiko, in the South West Region. It focuses on sustainable animal farming and community empowerment. PresLivestock serves as a strategic arm of the PCC’s development efforts, aiming to: improve livestock productivity through modern farming techniques and infrastructure, support food security and income generation for rural communities, and provide training and capacity building for farmers, youth, and other stakeholders in animal husbandry.

By integrating agricultural innovation with community development, PresLivestock contributes to the PCC’s broader mission of promoting self-reliance, economic justice, and sustainable livelihoods.

 

11. Trainee Products and Program Support

Products developed by trainees across all units are available for purchase at our showrooms and demonstration farms. Revenue generated from these sales directly supports and sustains our training programs.

 

Who We Serve

At the heart of our humanitarian and community development efforts is a commitment to equity and compassion. We support individuals and communities based on genuine need and merit—regardless of religious affiliation, location, or background.

While our roots are in the Presbyterian tradition, our outreach extends far beyond. We actively serve people in remote and underserved areas, including communities where we have no physical presence or established programs. Our mission is to uplift lives wherever help is needed most.

 

 

Contact

Jessy Mbock Nkongho Eben epse Mpwate

Development Secretary, PCC

Email: pcc.developmentsecretary@yahoo.com

Telephone: 237 677 241 434