The association

ELONGA which means "Victory" is a Cameroonian non-profit association mainly made up of women and volunteers who have lived through or witnessed prematurity and/or neonatology during the birth of babies.

Since premiers pas de l’association en mai 2024, and under the leadership of Marthe ISSIAKOU, the founding President, ELONGA's fundamental intention is assist women and babies in neonatology in Africa.

The main objective is toprovide multifaceted support (psychological and emotional, material, financial, social and administrative support) to women and babies in neonatal units throughout Cameroon, particularly in public and semi-public hospitals. Our approach focuses on presence, listening and the sharing of experiences. We therefore engage in dialogue with families, of course, but also with healthcare professionals, because the experiences can have traumatic characteristics for all those involved: caregivers, parents, and children.

Our executive office has as its main tasks the consolidation and development of the association, the implementation and monitoring of the various projects as well as the awareness among the general public about prematurity. All our active members contribute effectively to project development and always collaborate closely with the committee. On the ground, our other volunteer members are present at events regularly organized by ELONGA.

The Association is active in the city of Douala in Cameroon for the time being with a branch in the neonatology department of The Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital of Douala. Requests from other hospital sites are becoming increasingly frequent.

In parallel with volunteer activities in the field, ELONGA is in the process of building a professionals' network with whom to collaborate so that families can feel supported and confident: nurses, pediatricians, midwives, occupational therapists, psychologists, lactation consultants, etc.