To boost digital media literacy: Orange Cameroun takes All Connected Challenge to Mbalmayo.

Launched on Saturday, March 21, the initiative, officials said, is dedicated to raising awareness among children and parents about the responsible use of digital tools, integrating sports and entertainment as vehicles for learning and dialogue. 

The new concept was developed in partnership with non-for-profit organization, SOS Children’s Villages Cameroon. 

The Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, of Nyong and So’o, Gilles-Christian Sadi, chaired the event, which brought together Mbalmayo’s prominent figures.

According to officials of Orange Cameroun, in a society where both children and adults are spending most of their time online, the company has decided to raise awareness among parents and children with the aim of protecting the youngest members of society through a day of fun activities combining sports and educational exchanges. 

The All Connect Challenge which was in its second phase, was marked by sports, fun, and educational activities for over 100 vulnerable children aged 3 to 18. 

It was with the active participation of parents, relatives, and some 20 volunteer employees from Orange Cameroun alongside staff of SOS Children’s Villages Cameroon. 

Besides the sports activities and educational workshops, the event also provided opportunities for exchange and sharing experiences to help highlight the importance of digital education. 

In his keynote address, the Nyong and So’o SDO said the All Connected Challenge will help tackle issues such as cyberbullying, access to inappropriate content, and screen addiction. 

He invited parents and children to commit to the considerate use of digital tools. “The goal is to provide our little ones with impactful experiences using new digital tools while encouraging best practices in this vast universe,” the SDO said.

The administrator said by addressing the topics through interactive workshops and lively discussions, the event raised awareness about the potential dangers facing young people online. 

He expressed joy that the population leaned, “…about children’s rights regarding digital protection, as well as the policies put in place to ensure a safe environment for them”.

Orange Cameroun, partners lauded

The SDO lauded Orange Foundation and its partner for strengthening their shared commitment through an innovative approach like the All Connected Challenge. 

“I am pleased to see that participants are leaving inspired, but above all, I hope they will apply the practical advice shared during this event,” Sadi told the press.

He added that: “Our role as parents is to ensure the safety of our loved ones, first and foremost our children, and this aligns with the missions of the Orange Foundation and SOS Children’s Villages Cameroon, which work to guarantee them a healthy digital lifestyle”. 

Addressing children’s psychological & social development

According to Orange Cameroun officials, the event is part of an initiative to promote entertainment as a tool for children’s fulfillment, social inclusion, and personal development. 

This, officials noted, is in the guise of addressing children’s need for psychological and social development. 

Speakers cited the programmes relevance based on the lack of structured recreational activities, the need for socialization and community integration as well as the need for educational and civic support. 

Using sports and fun, educational activities, the organisers stated that the All Connected Challenge allows young people to learn while having fun. 

They said the interactive games designed for the event were intended not only to entertain but also to raise awareness about the challenges associated with technology use.

For their part, parents were urged to get more actively involved and strengthen family bonds around digital issues.

It is worth mentioning that the Orange Foundation already laid the groundwork in 2024 through the ForGoodConnections initiative, which was intended to raise collective awareness and to create a genuine momentum around digital media literacy. 

Orange Cameroon catalyzing children’s well-being

It is important to note that the initiative is part of a broader effort to promote play as a catalyst for children’s well-being, social inclusion, and personal development. 

The Orange Cameroun Foundation, officials noted, has asserted itself as a responsible leader, aware of the societal challenges associated with the digital age and possessing a comprehensive vision of what online youth protection should entail. 

The commitment, officials noted, resonates with contemporary concerns regarding online safety. Rolled out across all countries in the Orange Africa and Middle East region, the All Connected Challenge aims to address the need for the adoption of new, healthy, and responsible digital habits, officials noted.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3746 of Monday March 30, 2026