For over 60 years, Canadians have helped Cuso International tackle inequality worldwide. Now, it’s sparking innovation and building resilience through digital inclusion.
Whether it’s Black Friday or Cyber Monday, trends and consumption command our attention every day. We can often take for granted how much is at our fingertips, from the newest technology to state-of-the-art classes to hone digital skills.
But this is not the reality for everyone. And for many in underserved communities around the world, including girls and women, the divide is even greater.
Cuso International is helping to bridge this gap. By working together with local organizations, Cuso is helping enable faster access to markets, innovation, and entrepreneurship, especially for youth and women.
Equipping students with digital skills
This includes Cuso’s TechWomen Factory project, which trains students in data science, web development, and digital arts in Cameroon. Working with a local organization, the project mainly assists women from 18 to 35 years old by adding a high level of digital competency to their existing credentials.
Tatiane Tchiguia, 29, is one of these women. From an early age, Tatiane had a passion for cinema. Despite challenges she faced, she fought to be among the best in school.
She joined Cuso’s program, developing skills in digital art, particularly video editing. Now graduated, she works as a filmmaker and producer on various projects. She produced her first short film, La Tâche, which highlights the issue of child marriage, and leads associations for women technicians in film. She dreams of becoming a major director and producer like Ava DuVernay.
From digital art to the big screen, 29-year-old Tatiane is making her mark in film.
Empowering a young epidemiologist to take on malaria
Another participant, Matchim Kouan Lucrece Jacky, 24, saw how malaria was killing millions of people yearly and took on the challenge of working on a solution. She acquired a master’s degree in epidemiology with the sole purpose of becoming a leader in the public health system at the World Bank.
Now graduated from the data science program at TechWomen Factory, Matchim believes she has the necessary skills to analyze the data and evaluate the risk factors of malaria to help people, either in Cameroon or the Ivory Coast, the other country she plans on helping with her research.
At 24, Matchim is turning data into action — and taking on malaria.
Unlocking new possibilities
“When people have the right digital tools, they can overcome traditional barriers and unlock new possibilities,” says Yvette Macabuag, Director of Program Quality and Impact with Cuso. “This also allows for more employment opportunities, creating and expanding options for remote work, e-commerce, and digital services. They’re empowered to shape their own futures and build economic independence.”
In 2026, Cuso plans on starting a project that will help strengthen the confidence, skills, and ambitions of young girls in Cameroon by training 80 underprivileged youth — many girls aged 15 to 18 — in key technology skills, including hands-on workshops in programming, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, 3D modelling, and electronics, all while connecting them with real opportunities and encouraging peer mentorship in schools.
Creating more opportunities for the next generation
Like Tatiane and Matchim, this new generation of girls will have more opportunities to dream bigger about what’s possible. And it’s all possible thanks to Cuso’s donors.
For $125, a girl from an underprivileged background can access one month of training in key technology skills. But the Cuso effect doesn’t stop there, because she will also positively influence others in her school and in her community, and ultimately inspire more girls and women to enter the digital field.
Access to digital tools can be transformational socially, professionally, and personally. Whether it’s this project in Cameroon or supporting women and girls in STEM in Jamaica or in Ethiopia, Cuso knows the importance of creating safe spaces for learning, leadership, and self-expression.
And Canadians can play a role in this. When we share skills, we build better futures for everyone.
This Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Giving Tuesday, #UPGRADEALIFE, not your phone.
Donate today or visit Cuso’s website for more details.
For Amandine Stéphanie Atangana, 30, TechWomen Factory gave her the knowledge to understand entrepreneurship, create opportunities, and understand her limits. As a Digital Arts student, she hopes to create her own video game and animation studio. Her goal is to create an African children’s game.
Hilary Mariole Tchoukeu Tongna, 21, was not in the job market when she applied for the Web Development program at TechWomen Factory. Now, she’s becoming a web developer and model for young professionals. She is developing a careers website to help women find jobs in specific fields.
Sonia Zambou, 28, came from Dschang to study at TechWomen Factory. Enrolled in Web Development, she wants to build a platform focused on child safety and sports classes in Yaoundé. She dreams of going to Canada to learn different skills to help her community back home.
Nathalie Sherifa Molo, 22, plans to gather and analyze data, creating a database to help youth working with agriculture in Awa. She wants to battle violence against youth and help NGOs aiding youth in Cameroon. As an environment advocate, Nathalie believes the Data Science program at TechWomen Factory helped her understand different realities in Cameroon.
