About Us — Missions Arise Foundation
1429 N 11th St, Philadelphia PA 19122 1-484-641-3054 [email protected]
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Pennsylvania-Based 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

About Missions Arise Foundation.

Missions Arise Foundation is a rural-focused nonprofit organization promoting integral human development in the Diocese of Kumba in Southwest Cameroon through education, agriculture, healthcare, ministry support, and community-led development.

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Our Story

Get to know us.

Missions Arise Foundation was born from pastoral encounter, listening, and a deep concern for communities whose needs had remained hidden for too long.

Pastoral visits are an essential part of the ministry of bishops. During these visits, the chief shepherd has the opportunity to listen closely to the concerns of his flock. When Bishop Agapitus Nfon of the Diocese of Kumba set out for his pastoral visit from April 27 through May 8, 2023, to villages and communities in the Ndian and Meme divisions, he encountered communities carrying profound hardship.

For people who felt their fate had been sealed by geographical isolation, the bishop’s presence became a welcome opportunity to place their concerns before him. After the visit, Bishop Agapitus shared his rural experiences with some of his priests serving on loan in the United States. Among the most urgent concerns was the absence of a single healthcare facility in several communities.

After reflection, discussion, and consultation with friends, Kumba diocesan priests began to consider a foundation as one practical way to respond to the dire needs of the people. The name Missions Arise Foundation was adopted in anticipation of a hopeful future for struggling communities across the three divisions within the Diocese of Kumba.

Every initiative is shaped by a simple conviction: remote communities are not forgotten; they are places where hope can rise again.
Background and Context

The need is urgent, but the future is not hopeless.

The Diocese of Kumba in Cameroon is made up largely of rural settlements within Ndian, Meme, and parts of Kupe Muanenguba in the Southwest region of Cameroon, West Africa.

01

Remote communities

Many communities are geographically isolated, dependent on subsistence farming, and lack reliable access to essential services.

02

Education gaps

Access to education remains difficult, and many children struggle to continue beyond basic schooling due to poverty and limited infrastructure.

03

Essential services

Communities continue to face shortages of clean water, healthcare access, food security, electricity, and reconstructed public facilities.

The Diocese of Kumba was created on March 15, 2016, with Bishop Agapitus Nfon as its pioneer residential bishop. Shortly after its creation, the Anglophone conflict grew into a full-fledged crisis, severely affecting the diocese because of its vast hinterland settlements.

Many priests are assigned to rural communities where people largely depend on subsistence farming and live in difficult economic conditions. Remote parishes are often young, underserved, and affected by limited access to schooling, healthcare, clean water, and sustainable livelihoods. Even in precarious circumstances, priests and local communities remain focused on survival, faith, and the possibility of renewal.

In many villages, the church stands as a beacon of hope. The people look to priests not only for spiritual nourishment, but also for social and economic assistance. Missions Arise Foundation supports this work through integral human development — a holistic approach rooted in the dignity of the human person and the common good of the community.

Our Mission

Missions Arise Foundation engages remote villages in the Southwest region of Cameroon to harness human and natural resources to improve livelihoods through community-led and owned initiatives in education, agriculture, healthcare, and the life and ministry of priests.

Vision & Specific Objectives

Helping mission stations and disadvantaged parishes become thriving communities.

Our vision is to ensure that mission stations and disadvantaged parishes in the Diocese of Kumba become thriving locations that can fully and meaningfully participate in the work of evangelization.

01

Improve living standards

Create meaningful opportunities for communities through healthcare, sustainable farming, animal husbandry, and small-scale business support.

02

Support education and talent

Sponsor educational and talent-development projects grounded in integral human development.

03

Strengthen ministry

Improve priests’ living and ministry conditions, including practical needs for evangelization such as transportation and pastoral support.

Our Approach

What sets our impact apart.

A — COLLABORATIVE

Collaborative Partnerships

We work hand-in-hand with the Diocese of Kumba and local community leaders, ensuring every program is grounded in relationships built over years of trust and mutual accountability.

B — DATA-DRIVEN

Data-Driven Decisions

We collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate program effectiveness and continuously refine our work for maximum impact.

C — INNOVATIVE

Innovative Programs

We continuously evaluate emerging needs and adapt our services with forward-thinking, high-impact programs that address unmet gaps in the communities we serve.

D — COMMUNITY-OWNED

Local Ownership

We believe sustainable change is strongest when communities are not only recipients of support, but active participants in designing and owning solutions.

Partnership

Partnering with the Diocese of Kumba for lasting local impact.

At Missions Arise Foundation, we believe partnership is key to achieving our goals. By working closely with the Diocese of Kumba, we are able to leverage our strengths and resources to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Together, we are making a lasting impact on communities in need through programs rooted in local knowledge, pastoral presence, and accountability.

Visit DioceseOfKumba.org
Leadership & Governance

The people behind the mission.

Missions Arise Foundation is guided by a committed Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and Coordinator whose leadership helps steward the mission with faith, accountability, and community-centered service.

Board of Directors

Albert Domm, MD

Albert Domm, MD

President

Albert C. Domm is an anatomic and clinical pathologist affiliated with Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia, Tennessee. He received his medical degree from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and did his residency at EMORY University. Albert has over 45 years of experience in the medical field. He has visited Cameroon several times for work at Bingo Baptist Hospital. He has also been passionate about humanitarian work, which is unmatched. He is the pioneer president of the Missions Arise Foundation.

Irene Alobwede, PhD

Irene Alobwede, PhD

Vice-President

Board Vice-President with experience in clinical, scientific, education, and women-focused development work.

Peter Nsenkeng, MSc

Peter Nsenkeng, MSc

Treasurer

Treasurer with extensive humanitarian, development, donor relations, and international affairs experience.

Jerry Kitchens, MD

Jerry Kitchens, MD

Board Member

Physician leader whose connection with priests from the Diocese of Kumba deepened his commitment to the African church.

Fr. Joseph Suh Ganong

Fr. Joseph Suh Ganong

Priest, Diocese of Kumba

Fr. Ganong Suh is a priest of the Diocese of Kumba whose ministry is shaped by love for young people, a passion for nurturing vocations, and steadfast pastoral service. He studied at Bishop Rogan Minor Seminary and STAMS in Bambui, was ordained in April 2011, and has served as Parochial Vicar, Diocesan Pastoral Director, Parish Priest, Youth Chaplain, and Vocation Director. He currently serves as parochial vicar at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Advisory Board

Marc Corsini

Marc Corsini

Advisory Board

Executive coach, consultant, and faith-driven advisor supporting the mission through leadership experience.

Eningan Epie, PharmD

Eningan Epie, PharmD

Advisory Board

Clinical pharmacist, program administrator, and educator with a heart for children, education, healthcare, and the environment.

Tofig Gana Fomban, PhD

Tofig Gana Fomban, PhD

Advisory Board

Global leadership, bioengineering, and community development advisor with experience connected to Cameroon.

Coordinator

Wilfred Emeh, PhD

Wilfred Emeh, PhD

Coordinator

Coordinator of the foundation’s mission, partnership, and community-centered work with a deep connection to the Diocese of Kumba.

Join the Mission

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Whether you give, volunteer, or partner with us — you help a community write its own future.

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