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- INTRODUCTION
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In the month of April, the sun rose gently over the coastal city of Limbe, painting the sky with soft hues of orange and pink. It was the kind of day that promised something significant. At the Higher Institute of Entrepreneurship and Technology (HINETEC), the anticipation was palpable. Banners fluttered in the breeze, university and organization stands were being set up, and enthusiastic students, dressed in their best uniforms, began to pour into the venue.
This was the scene at CAMFAIR 2025, the first edition of the International Students Recruitment Fair. For many students, it was an opportunity to map out their academic futures. For recruiters, it was a chance to meet the next generation of talent. But for us at Lifafa Research Foundation, it was a chance to do what we do best: care for the invisible wounds carried by so many young people; the wounds of the mind called mental health disorders.
The Vision Behind the Booth
As our team set up the LRF mental health booth, complete with brochures, counseling chairs, and warm smiles, we knew we were bringing something different to the fair. While most booths were adorned with glossy prospectuses and university logos, ours had something less tangible but perhaps more powerful: hope.
Our participation at CAMFAIR was deeply tied to our ongoing work with the PROMEHY Project (Promoting Youth Mental Health), a youth-centered initiative funded by Grand Challenges Canada. This project has taken us across the Fako Division, into classrooms, and into the lives of young people struggling silently with anxiety, depression, academic pressure, trauma, and fear of the future. But CAMFAIR presented a new kind of opportunity. Here, gathered in one place, were students from over ten schools open to ideas, open to opportunities. We wanted to show them that success wasn’t just about which university you got into but it was also about how well you were coping inside.
First Conversations
The first student approached our booth hesitantly. A teenage girl with expressive eyes and a quiet demeanor, she glanced at our banner, then at the table. We smiled. She sat. What started as a simple inquiry “What is this about?” unfolded into a conversation about stress, sleepless nights, and self-doubt. One by one, students came. Some curious. Others unsure. Some confident but broken inside. They opened up about the pressure of academic expectations, the burden of family responsibilities, the scars of past trauma. For many, this was the first time they were speaking to a mental health professional. With each student, our mission became clearer: to listen, to affirm and to support.
Beyond Pamphlets: Real Support in Real Time
We did not come to CAMFAIR with just pamphlets. We came with purpose. Students received short mental health screenings, participated in stress relief exercises, and were introduced to tools for self-care and mindfulness. We explained in plain terms what depression feels like, how anxiety manifests, and how to seek help. We handed out resources customized for the mental health support of students in clear language, reflecting the cultural perspectives that many global programs often overlook. The students appreciated this. They said it felt like someone had finally thought about them.
Why Mental Health Matters at Events Like CAMFAIR
In many ways, our presence at CAMFAIR was symbolic. It sent a message: mental health is just as important as academic achievement. As students explored where they wanted to go in life, we reminded them to also check in with how they were feeling inside. Mental health challenges often remain hidden, especially among young people who are expected to be energetic, hopeful, and unshakably strong. But at Lifafa Research Foundation, we know the truth: beneath many bright smiles are anxious hearts. And beneath confident responses are voices that tremble in private. We were there to catch those voices. To listen. To validate and To assure.
Partnerships and Possibilities
CAMFAIR 2025 was also a testament to the power of partnerships. The organizers of the International Students Recruitment Fair welcomed us warmly and believed in our vision. They saw that education without emotional well-being is incomplete. Their support allowed us to serve many students in a single day. The event has opened new doors for collaboration with schools, recruitment institutions, and youth organizations. We are now in talks to bring the PROMEHY initiative into more campuses, community centers, and digital platforms.
A Thank You from the Heart
To the students who trusted us with their stories, thank you. Your courage fuels our mission.
To our funder, Grand Challenges Canada, your belief in grassroots mental health solutions is changing lives in real-time. To our team Tanyi Daniel, Kwandze Juliette, Akeh Gismarvel, Mua Brain and Kum Mineva, your work is not just professional, it shows passion to eradicate the unseen wounds. You are healers, mentors, and changemakers.
And to the team behind CAMFAIR, thank you for recognizing that mental health matters just as much as grades and scholarships.
Let us Keep Talking
As the sun set over Limbe and the fair wrapped up, we left knowing that something had shifted. Students had seen mental health not as a weakness, but as a strength to be nurtured. Conversations had started and we are committed to keeping them going. Stay tuned for more updates from the our other projects. Join us as we bring mental health to classrooms, communities, and digital platforms. Together, let us build a generation that is not just educated but emotionally resilient, mentally strong, and unapologetically human. Follow us on our social media handles for more stories and updates. And if you are a student, parent, or teacher know that support is always just one conversation away.
