I am from Cameroon where I studied business law but also banking and finance. At the moment, I am studying in management. I decided to get involved in the project "Ma Première Bibliothèque" to bring a major change in basic education in Cameroon in order to enable children to acquire easily, gradually and from an early age, knowledge that will pave the way for their professional success later.

I have always dreamed of a big change in Cameroon. . It is one of the reasons why I studied in public law and was interested in access to water in Cameroon. To further my education, I also got a degree in human resources from HEC Montréal.

To have an education is also very important to me.I did all of my elementary and secondary studies in Cameroon and none of the schools that I attended had a library but thanks to my parents, I was able to meet those needs. I hope that a second library will follow this one.

After my studies in International Business in France and at HEC Montréal, I worked as a language instructor at the francophone elementary school Corpus Christi in Oshawa. I organized an exchange of questions and answers between La Victoire school (Cameroon) and the elementary school Corpus Christi (Ontario). The experience deeply inspired "Ma Première Bibliothèque" project. What’s more, I have a great interest in cultures and foreign languages.

Coordinator of the international business certificate program. Teacher at HEC Montréal in the International Business faculty, I am sensitive to the question of education in the world and especially to children’s education.

In September 2014, the Latin-American chamber of commerce of Québec gave to Dr.Gutiérrez an award for her engagement in the community.

THE TEAM

Ella Oke Lodonou

In charge of accounting

Gaelle Abona Keyi

Marcelle Ambadiang

Mireille Okodombe

Dr. María Morfín Gutiérrez

Profile

LinkedIn profile

Native of Benin, I am a chartered accountant at Revenu Québec. I considered myself privileged because I had access to libraries during all my schooling. Today, I would like to provide that same opportunity to other children who can also benefit from this privilege. I join this project because I believe that by working together we can succeed in changing things.

In charge of the promotion

Co-founder and co-leader of the project “Ma Première Bibliothèque”

Our mission

African schools need better infrastructures and tools that will enable them to form tomorrow’s workforce. Our mission is to create a fun and learning environment in schools in order to develop the students’ interest in reading and also contribute to their intellectual development.

Our objectives

Our short, medium and long term goals are:

1. In the short term: Introduce children to books to give them the drive to read.

2. In the medium term: Develop the critical thinking, research skills, creativity and imagination.

3. In the long term: Develop the students’ general knowledge by improving their vocabulary, grammar and spelling.