“The beginning is never easy, but following your passion is deeply satisfying.”

Cameroonian conservationist and National Geographic Explorer Ndimuh Bertrand Shancho reflects on his journey from growing up in a farming village to founding Voice of Nature (VONAT), a grassroots conservation organisation in Cameroon. He describes how early experiences with wildlife, followed by the disappearance of chimpanzees from his community, shaped his decision to shift from journalism to hands-on conservation. Ndimuh talks about protecting endangered species such as the Goliath frog, building community-led conservation initiatives, and the personal sacrifices involved in choosing passion-driven work over financial security.

Learn more about VONAT here:

https://vonat.org/