Voice of Nature (VoNat) recently celebrated the successful completion of its last long-term holiday internship cohort, marking another milestone in the organization’s youth mentorship and community conservation work. Interns presented their end-of-internship reports during two send-forth events held at VoNat’s Head Office in Buea on 11 and 14 November 2025.
This final cohort featured two students from the University of Buea: Teke Frank Njumbe, a final-year masters student of the Department of Environmental Science and Ngala Eugine, a final year undergraduate student from the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. Both interns attested acquiring skills and capacity far beyond what they had expected before joining the organization.
For Teke Frank Njumbe, the internship was “a blend of hands-on field experience and meaningful community engagement, spanning the South West and West Regions of Cameroon. I learned practical skills in tree nursery management and seedling potting, and gained a deeper understanding of threatened and endangered tree species in and around Mount Cameroon National Park”.
Teke emphasized how essential local collaboration is for conservation: “I also learned the value of community collaboration in conserving biodiversity and mitigating deforestation. Working with the dedicated VoNat team was nothing short of inspiring. Their warmth, professionalism, and passion made my stay truly memorable, educative, and impactful.”
Journalism intern Ngala Eugine described a similarly transformational experience, noting that the placement offered more than technical reporting skills. “I learned what occurs in the professional world, and I gained skills beyond just journalism training I came for like business communication, especially using email, something I didn’t know before, and project grant writing,” he attested. Ngala developed and published environmental stories for Voice of Nature News , producing up to three articles during the internship. He also strengthened his photography and videography techniques.
VoNat’s internship program prioritizes mentorship, practical exposure, and opportunities for young people to translate learning into community impact. Throughout the placements, interns received daily mentorship from VoNat staff, participated in field demonstrations, and were supported to document and communicate project results. The organization remains committed to providing quality hands-on experience for youth, equipping them with the skills needed for careers in conservation, environmental communication, and natural resource management. Those interested in future internship and youth mentorship opportunities can learn more here
By Babila Divine