Champions Academy — Our Pilot School in Cameroon
Expanding access to quality education, health, and opportunity for children in underserved communities.
What is Champions Academy
Champions Academy is a bilingual (English and French) nursery and primary school designed to serve both anglophone and francophone communities while expanding access to inclusive, quality education. The school provides a safe, structured, and nurturing learning environment where children develop academically, socially, and with strong foundational skills.
Champions Academy supports families seeking high-quality education and serves students who may otherwise face barriers to consistent schooling.
As the pilot initiative of Champions for Global Education and Health (CGEH), Champions Academy enables the organization to implement programs, test solutions, and develop practical approaches that can later be expanded to other underserved communities.
Key Focus Areas
Nursery & Primary Education
Scholarships & Learning Support
School Health & Nutrition Programs
Why this Pilot Project Exists
In many communities, children face barriers that limit access to quality education — including financial constraints, inadequate school infrastructure, shortages of learning materials, and health-related challenges that disrupt regular attendance. In Cameroon, approximately 44% of children live in poverty, affecting their ability to remain consistently enrolled and access essential learning resources.
Champions Academy was established to respond directly to these challenges by creating a safe, structured learning environment focused on academic excellence, child wellbeing, and holistic development.
The school serves as a practical model for how education, health, and community support can work together to expand opportunity in underserved communities.
The Vision Behind Champions Academy
Champions Academy was shaped by firsthand experience with the barriers poverty can create for children seeking access to quality education. That experience sparked a long-term commitment to ensuring that other children are not limited by the same circumstances.
This initiative reflects a deep belief that education can break cycles of poverty, strengthen communities, and open doors to opportunity for future generations.
Children learning at Champions Academy pilot school in Cameroon
Education transforms opportunity.
Every child deserves access to quality education.
Impact So Far
Since its launch, Champions Academy has made measurable progress in expanding access to quality education and strengthening the learning environment for children in the community. In its first year of operation, the school serves 72 students — reflecting early growth and strong demand for accessible, high-quality education.
More than 40 scholarships have been awarded to students from families facing financial barriers, helping children remain consistently enrolled. Essential learning materials, including notebooks, have been provided to every student. In addition, free school uniforms were distributed to all students, promoting equity, belonging, and school attendance.
Significant infrastructure development has also taken place. A borehole was constructed to provide reliable access to clean water for both the school and surrounding community. The campus now includes 18 classrooms and administrative blocks, establishing a dedicated environment for structured teaching and learning.
These milestones represent important early progress toward building a sustainable and high-quality learning environment.
While meaningful progress has been achieved, key improvements remain to fully complete the learning environment. Priority needs include classroom ceilings, balcony railings, installation of electricity in all classrooms, completion of 72 windows, and safe play equipment such as basketball poles and playground structures that support physical development and recreation.
Impact at a Glance
40+
Scholarships provided
72
Students supported with learning materials
18
Classrooms built
Borehole
Clean water access for school and community
Programs at Champions Academy
Through Champions Academy, CGEH implements core programs designed to support students, strengthen the learning environment, and build sustainable school systems. These include:
• Scholarships for children from financially vulnerable families
• Provision of essential school supplies and learning materials
• Classroom improvements and infrastructure development
• Teacher support and professional capacity development
• School-based health initiatives, including screenings, hygiene education, and preventive care
• Nutrition support programs that help ensure children are able to learn while adequately nourished
• Community engagement initiatives that promote student success and family involvement
These programs enable CGEH to deliver direct, measurable impact while refining practical approaches that can be replicated and expanded in other ved communities.
Learning Environment & Stories
Daily life at Champions Academy reflects a deep commitment to excellence, resilience, and integrity. In classrooms, students engage actively in structured lessons, build confidence, and strengthen foundational skills that prepare them for future success.
The photos and stories below provide a window into this environment — showcasing joyful learning moments, dedicated teachers, and the steady progress made possible through foundational investment and the initial support of CGEH donors.
Guided instruction in action
Individual classroom support
Student participation and engagement
Focused independent learning
Early childhood learning support
Creativity in early education
Student Life & Community Moments
Beyond the classroom, Champions Academy fosters community, cultural expression, and student belonging.
Morning assembly at Champions Academy
Students celebrating culture and community
Continued support will help sustain and expand these opportunities for students.
Current Needs & Priorities:
Continued investment is essential to fully strengthen the learning environment at Champions Academy and expand access for more students. While significant progress has been made, several priority areas require additional support to ensure children learn in safe, well-equipped, and healthy conditions.
Current priorities include:
• Scholarships for students from financially vulnerable families
• Essential learning materials and classroom supplies
• Completion of classroom ceilings and installation of windows
• School clinic and preventive health initiatives, including hygiene support
• Nutrition programs that help students learn while adequately nourished
• Acquisition of a dedicated school transport vehicle, such as a van or minibus, to safely transport students who currently walk long distances along unsafe roads.
Addressing these priorities will help ensure that every child can learn in a safe, well-equipped environment, remain healthy, and benefit from consistent, high-quality education.
Future Vision
Champions Academy represents a practical model for how integrated nonprofit support can strengthen schools and expand educational access. CGEH’s long-term vision is to apply lessons from this pilot initiative to inform future programs, support additional schools, and extend impact across underserved communities.
As the school continues to grow, priority efforts include enhancing learning environments, expanding scholarship access, and increasing capacity to serve more students. The initiative also seeks to deepen investment in teacher development, community engagement, and sustainable school improvement.
A central component of this vision is expanding access to basic healthcare through a school-based clinic providing screenings, hygiene education, and preventive care. Many children and teachers miss school due to treatable illnesses such as malaria, which remains prevalent in Cameroon. Integrating health support reduces absenteeism and strengthens consistent learning.
Champions Academy also aims to expand nutrition programs, recognizing the strong connection between health, nourishment, and educational outcomes.
By building strong foundations at the pilot level, CGEH is developing scalable approaches that improve educational opportunity, child wellbeing, and community resilience over time.
This forward-looking vision reflects CGEH’s commitment to addressing barriers to education holistically and ensuring that children are equipped to reach their full potential.
How This Relates to CGEH
Champions Academy serves as the pilot implementation site of CGEH. Through this initiative, CGEH designs, implements, and evaluates integrated programs that support students, educators, and families within a real-world school setting.
Insights gained through this work inform CGEH’s broader strategy and guide the development of future initiatives focused on education, health, and community resilience across underserved communities.
Join Us in Expanding Opportunity
Champions Academy is building a foundation for lasting educational opportunity, health support, and community resilience. Your support helps fund scholarships, strengthen learning environments, and complete essential school improvements that allow children to learn safely and consistently.
You can support this work by donating, sponsoring key initiatives, contributing in-kind resources such as educational materials, health supplies, and school equipment, or sharing the mission and connecting CGEH with potential supporters.
For sponsorship, in-kind contributions, or partnership inquiries, please contact us.