I am Sama Mildred. I am 27 years old and I come from Cameroon. I am a documentary filmmaker. My journey has brought me closer to understanding my African identity, challenging the stereotypes that often overshadow it. I want to tell you my story.
In 2019, one of my films was screened in Germany, and a particular scene sparked unexpected reactions. It showed a family sharing a meal from one plate—a common practice in my Cameroonian household, symbolizing togetherness and community. Yet, some viewers interpreted it as a symbol of poverty, a reminder of how easily our cultural narratives are misread. In Cameroon, we sometimes joke by calling our country "The Continent," hinting at a wider misconception that Africa is one homogenous place.
My own story, rooted in Cameroon’s conflict-hit Anglophone region, has given me a first-hand view of the struggles young people face: limited access to quality education, scarce resources, and high unemployment.
The “Anglophone” crisis disrupted my studies, pushing me toward distance education as my main learning channel. "Learning goes beyond a classroom," I often say, knowing that our education system must evolve to include skills-based learning and parental engagement, if it is to serve the diverse needs of our communities.
But alongside the struggles are boundless opportunities. Africa embodies resilience and a profound sense of community, grounded in the Ubuntu philosophy: “I am, because we all are.”
Traveling has only deepened my connection to home; when I applied for a Schengen visa, the requirement to “prove” I’d return was a bittersweet reminder that Africa isn’t just a place—it’s a community, a welcoming, shared space.
If I am innovative and resilient, everything is to be found in Africa. This belief anchors me—because while the world may see shared plates as a mark of scarcity, to us, it’s simply a celebration of unity and a reminder of where I truly belong.
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The #54FacesofAfrica campaign, launched in December 2023 at the 6th YouthConnekt Africa Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, is a collaborative initiative by United Nations Volunteers (UNV), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the YouthConnekt Africa Secretariat (YCAS). This campaign empowers African youth by offering them a platform to share their stories, solutions, and innovations, and contribute to dialogue and policy on Africa’s development.
Sama was part of the YouthConnekt Africa Summit 2024 and delivered a motivational talk as a youth participant at the UNV-led side event on 9 November in Kigali.
To access the e-version of the 54 Faces of Africa magazine, please click here.
Sama Mildred interacts with Martin Hart-Hansen, Deputy Resident Representative for UNDP Cameroon, at the YouthConnekt Africa Summit in Kigali. @ UNV, 2024.