Writing competition: Eran Moas and Djaïli Amadou Amal Give Young Cameroonians a Voice
Through the ASAF Cameroun Foundation, entrepreneur and philanthropist Eran Moas, together with Djaïli Amadou Amal, writer and honorary ambassador of the foundation and winner of the 2020 Goncourt des Lycéens Prize, launched Cameroon’s first national writing competition for 2025. Open to children and teenagers aged 8 to 16, the competition aims to stimulate their creativity while providing a platform for them to share their dreams and visions of the future.
Under the theme “Telling Tomorrow”, the initiative invites participants to create stories, tales, poems, or personal accounts. The Djaili Amal Amadou libraries in Douala and Maroua run writing workshops, where writers and mentors help young participants develop their style, refine their expression, and gain confidence in their ideas.
Preventing school dropout through creativity
In many regions of Cameroon, some children have to interrupt their schooling for economic or family reasons. Families do not always have the means to cover school supplies or associated costs.
By providing material support, the competition contributes directly to preventing school dropout. But its impact goes far beyond material assistance: motivation and interest in writing become powerful tools to encourage children to stay in school.
Participating in a competition where their work is recognised, receiving guidance from experienced writers, and seeing their efforts celebrated in an official ceremony creates a strong emotional commitment, motivating young people to persevere in their educational journey.
“By giving children the means to tell their stories, we are also giving them a reason to stay in school and continue learning,” explains Eran Moas.
This approach perfectly illustrates how culture and education can work together to support the most vulnerable young people.
Developing skills and imagination
The competition is not limited to material support; it also aims to nurture essential skills. Creative writing strengthens reading, language proficiency, and the ability to organise ideas. It also encourages critical thinking and imagination, enabling young people to reflect on their dreams, challenges, and the world they wish to build.
The library workshops provide a stimulating and supportive environment. Children can share their work, receive personalised advice, and interact with other young enthusiasts. This setting fosters self-expression and self-confidence, qualities that directly benefit their academic progress and overall development.
“By giving each child a space to express themselves, we help them realise that they have something unique to contribute to the world,” adds Eran Moas.
In this way, the competition goes beyond a simple literary contest: it becomes an educational and creative tool, empowering young Cameroonians to express themselves and build their future with confidence.
