The people on the ground, working in the Jengi Project

Leonard Usongo

Regional Coordinator

I am Regional Coordinator for Jengi Forests program situated in southeast corner of the Republic of Cameroon. The program involves management of 3 national parks, working with ten logging companies for sustainable forest management-certification, promoting participatory management involving local communities and indigenous Baka pygmy forest people, developing trans-boundary conservation initiatives with protected areas in neighbouring countries. I also work as WWF Landscape Leader for Tri-national de la Sangha, TNS coordinating transboundary conservation program involving protected areas of Lobeke in Cameroon, Dzanga-Sangha in CAR and Nouabale Ndoki in Republic of Congo-Brazzaville.

How I found myself in conservation?
My maternal grandfather inspired me during my childhood days. As early as 5 years old, I enjoyed spending my summer vacations on the mountains taking care of his cattle. At 18, there was no doubt in my mind as to what my future profession would be as I fell in love with nature. The absolute tranquillity, scenic beauties and amazing wildlife of those mountains left an indelible impact in my childhood life and forever. My childhood love for nature grew stronger and stronger with my academic aspirations. It was without any surprise that I enrolled for a BSc in Biology and seven years later obtained a PhD in Wildlife Management.

If you want to work with me?
You must have ability and skills of working under extremely difficult field conditions. Be ready to sacrifice luxuries of today’s modern world with self-driven desire to help impoverished people regain authority and benefits from natural resources. You must exude endurance and patience, ‘good shock absorbers’ to withstand onslaughts from politicians, elites and omnipresent influential stakeholders in the private sector, notably logging and mining companies with selfish ambitions to control wealth and forest resources.

Biography 
I have a PhD in Wildlife Management. Before joining WWF in 1997, I was Senior Conservation Biologist working with New York-based NGO, Wildlife Conservation Society, WCS. I also worked at different intervals for GTZ-Korup project, European Union funded ECOFAC project in Dja and travelled widely in Africa and beyond working as a field researcher for various conservation programs.

Zacharie-Laurent Nzooh Dongmo

Scientific Advisor

I am Scientific Advisor for WWF Jengi Program. I joined the Program in 2001. My duties include elaborating and coordinating applied research on ecological monitoring of the three protected areas in the Southeast of Cameroon in addition to 16 forest concessions, 25 community and sport hunting zones. This means checking on the population, behaviour and welfare of plants and animals in the region. This also entails monitoring human activities.

Biography
I was born in 1969 in Dschang, Cameroon. I am a biologist by training and profession thanks to my studies at the Science Department of the University of Yaounde, Cameroon, from where I obtained a postgraduate diploma in 1994 and a doctorate in 2005. While teaching in the same university for three years, I began conservation work with ECOFAC in the Dja Reserve (South of Cameroon) mainly in the domain of scientific research and monitoring. I have been doing conservation work since 1994.

Alphonse Ngniado

Senior Forest Officer

I am in charge of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) in WWF Jengi. I make sure that the logging guys do not get too reckless with their machines and cut down anything that stands on their way. At first it was not easy convincing them that sustainable exploitation is for everyone’s good. Now they have begun to understand and our relationship is not as bad as before.
Apart from working and checking the logging companies, I assist local groups and municipal councils to set up community and communal forests, respectively.
Generally, there is a positive move in this area towards SFM. At the level of the Ministry of Forest and Wildlife, and with the support of WWF, there is willingness to apply the law. Some logging companies are setting up SFM units within their structures. The local communities are gradually getting into the picture to benefit from forest proceeds. In these respects, the way forward is long. We need not only keep up but also redouble efforts.
Biography
I was born in 1966 in Cameroon. I have a diploma in forestry. I worked with the French Cooperation Department on the elaboration of pilot management plans of 10 concessions and the evaluation of exploitation impact on the forest for six years. I have been working with WWF Jengi since 2001.

Dr. Louis Defo

Collaborative Management Advisor

I joined WWF in 2004. I am in charge of ensuring collaboration amongst stakeholders in the Jengi Program area. Prodded by the desire to contribute to conservation I meet and collaborate with people and institution on management of forest resources.

If I had the resources, I will facilitate and strengthen the smooth running of all the mechanisms that are elaborated in the region for conservation. I will also create a new platform of collaboration amongst stakeholders. I will invest time and money on lobbying, in order to put in place favourable conditions for conservation.

What jolted me into conservation?
While growing up as a child in the West Province of Cameroon, where I was born, I was told our land used to be covered by an evergreen vegetation of mountainous forest. I learnt elephants used to inhabit the area. But, today, the forest and animals, which we did not have the opportunity to see, have disappeared. Also, while studying rural geography in the University of Yaounde, we were taught courses on forest and tourism. It was then I realised we could fight poverty by harnessing forest resources.

My wish today is to leave behind a community that is fully involved in conservation and to make sure that other stakeholders: logging companies, Safari, local NGOs, are well organised and fully involved in conservation.

Biography
I was born in the Bandjoun, West Province in 1968. I studied Rural Geography in the University of Yaounde, where I obtained a masters degree. I later obtained a PhD in Environment and Development from the University of Leiden, Netherlands.

I studied Social Sciences: Geography, history and science of education. My field of interest is social science applied to sustainable management of natural resources and livelihoods. I am also holder of a diplomat in forest management and a certificate in forestry.

Samuel Mbondo Mbondo

Program Administration and Finance Officer

My job is to ensure sound financial, administrative and human resource management in WWF Jengi Southeast Forest Program. I hold the purse of the program and make sure that every cent is accounted for.

I also do administrative work and act as discipline master, even though I rarely have occasion to sanction a hard working and duty conscious staff. I cherish team spirit and good human relations. Give me the funds and I will immediately launch a lasting anti-poaching drive and then put in place alternative economic solutions for stakeholders.

Biography
I joined the Jengi program in July 2002 coming straight from another WWF project (Northern Savannah) where I began working in 1999. Before then, I held administrative and finance positions at Guinness Cameroon and CAMNAFAW respectively. I was born at the coast of Cameroon in 1962. I am married with children.

Vincent Anong

Senior Field Assistant

I am Senior Field Assistant for Lobeke National Park. My job entails interacting  with nature and local people. I assist in  carrying out wildlife and forest inventories and to plan strategies with game guards to track down poachers. It is not an easy job but the challenges keep me going.
Local people have hope about our work. Many believe WWF will actually help them out of  poverty.

Awouma Petit Jean

Field Assistant

I am a proud Baka pygmy working for WWF Jengi project for over 9 years. I did not go to school but because of my hardwork and knowledge of the forest, I am known even at the international level as one of the best Guides in the region.

I am an expert in tracking down animals like the elephant. Recently I won the WWF International Prize for Excellence in conservation activities. Although there are other Bakas working for Jengi, I think I am the best.

I am married with children whom I sponsor in school thanks to advice and support from WWF. Thanks to my work with the project, I have put up a house with corogated zinc instead of leaves and bamboo. I always become sick whenever I hear that WWF will one day leave because of lack of funds.

If I could see the donors, I would invite them to come and see what we have here in the forest.

Patrice Taah Ngalla

GIS Officer

I am GIS (Geographic Information System), Officer for WWF Jengi Southeast Forest Program.

I am responsible for the overall management of GIS and databases. I provide advanced customised GIS and remote sensing support to facilitate decision making in sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.

Part of my responsibility entails developing and implementing advanced data collection protocols to harmonise field data collection procedures.
I also provide support to staff on Information Technology and first aid assistance for computer and network installations problems.
With my background in forestry, I impart skills to staff involved in forest management, management of national parks and the bio-monitoring program.

I was awarded an ITTO International fellowship for a GIS and remote sensing training in the UK in 2000 and a British Chevening scholarship to do research in the UK in 2003/2004.

Before joining WWF, I worked for the World Forest Institute in USA through their International Fellowship Program in 2005.

I am a forester by training and holder of an MSc degree in GIS with Remote Sensing.

I have over eight years experience in sustainable forest management, improvement of livelihoods of local communities, ecological monitoring, participatory community based forest management and biodiversity conservation.

Biography
I was born in 1973 in Oku, Northwest Province, Cameroon. I am married and a father of four kids. I love nature and I am anxious to contribute to the attainment of WWF Jengi Program’s vision.

Expedit Fouda Bernard

Park Assistant Boumba-Bek

I am Park Assistant for Boumba-Bek National Park and its environs. I coordinate activities within and without the park. These include ecological monitoring of forest clearings (bais). I also monitor socio-economic activities of the population in tandem with timber exploiting companies, in a bid to minimise the impact on the environment. I give technical support in the fight against poaching.
I started working for WWF as pioneer Park Assistant for Nki on October 1, 2000. In 2002, I was made Park Assistant for Lobeke and Nki, where I spent four years in a tent in Camp Kombo doing conservation work. From 2004 to September 2006 I was in charge of Lobeke only. On September 1, 2006, I was transferred to Boumba-Bek yet as Park Assistant.
Biography
I was born in 1966 in the Centre Province of Cameroon. I am holder of a diploma in Wildlife from the University of Dschang. I am married and a father of three children. I am prodded on by a strong desire to protect nature and its bounties.

Pegue Manga Fidelis

Communication Officer

I am responsible for ensuring communication both internally and externally in WWF Jengi. I liaise with module heads, stakeholders and the local population to glean information to be disseminated by local, national and international media.

I also ensure that Jengi is well packaged and presented to the outside world.

Biography
I was born in Buea, South West Province of Cameroon in 1975. I hold a BSc in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea and a certificate in electronic Sub-editing and layout from the International Institute of Journalism, Berlin, Germany.

Before joining WWF Jengi in January 2007, I worked for The Post, one of the leading newspapers in Cameroon, for nine years as editor and reporter. The zeal to highlight the plight of local people and press for urgent redress, guided me into conservation and environmental reporting.

Louis Ngono

Collaborative Management Officer

I am WWF Jengi Southeast Forest Program Collaborative Management Officer.
My job entails working on the field with local people, thereby giving conservation a human face. I give technical assistance to local people in the creation and management of community based wildlife resource management committees, COVAREFs. I technically support health awareness raising campaigns in villages.
I was recruited in September 2003. Prior to that, I served as secondary school teacher and principal of Catholic Mission School near Yaounde. I also carried out consultancies with a French development and research institute, CIDR/MIFED.

Biography
I was born in 1965. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from the then University of Yaounde, Cameroon and a Diploma in Development Studies from the Pan-African Institute for Development for Francophone Africa, Douala.