🪜🤍Raising Cameroonian Children in Canada: Balancing Identity and Belonging.

Raising children is one of the most powerful and tender responsibilities a parent can hold. But raising Cameroonian children in Canada comes with a unique blend of challenges—and deep, beautiful opportunities.

As parents in the Cameroonian diaspora, we’re not just nurturing our children’s physical growth. We’re passing on a legacy. A language. A people. A way of life that spans oceans and generations. At ACAM, we believe this journey deserves a conversation.

One of our members therefore, held some sessions that involved bringing the kids’ awareness regarding matters as such, and even awarding them for active participation.

🌍 Two Worlds, One Heart

Canadian schools, friends, cartoons, and music…
Cameroonian values, languages, meals, and stories…

Our children live at the crossroads of two cultures—often fluent in both, but sometimes feeling caught in-between.

Will they grow up knowing who they are?
Will they understand where they come from?
Will they love Cameroon the way we do?

The answer is YES—if we raise them with intention.

🏠 Home Is the First Classroom

The journey begins at home.
Whether we live in Winnipeg, Brandon, or further north, we can make our homes feel like Bamenda, Buea, Limbe, or Ndop with just a few simple practices:

• Speak our languages. Pidgin English, Ngemba, Meta, Lamnso’, Oroko—teach them words, songs, greetings.

• Cook Cameroonian food. Let them knead fufu, wrap koki leaves, or roast fish with pepper.

• Tell our stories. From King Jaja of Opobo to Mama Ngwa, who raised six children with nothing but God and groundnuts—share the legends of our people.

• Display our art, fabrics, and symbols. Culture is visual. Make your home feel Cameroonian.

Even in Canada, our children can grow up knowing they come from greatness.

🎓 Navigating School, Identity & Pressure

Let’s be honest: many of our children face unique pressures.

• They may be the only Black or African child in their class.

• Their names may be mispronounced.

• Their parents may have accents, or pack lunch that others don’t recognize.

It can feel isolating. But it can also be empowering—with the right support.

🎤 Let Them Be Fully Themselves

Not every child will speak their mother tongue fluently.
Not every child will want to wear traditional attire.
Not every child will enjoy Eru or Ndolé (😅 though we hope they do!)

Our job isn’t to mold them into who we were—it’s to empower them to stand strong in who they are becoming.

💚 Together, We Raise a Village

Raising children in the diaspora is not a solo mission. We need each other. That’s why ACAM is here:

• To create safe, joyful spaces where our children feel seen

• To pass down traditions through festivals, mentorship, and shared meals

• To remind our children that they belong—to us, to Cameroon, and to God

Together, we raise a village. And through our children, we will see a future where Cameroon’s fire burns bright across generations.

#ACAM #CAMEROON #CAMEROONCHILDREN #CAMEROONINCANADA