Sarah Namondo, a gifted poet and refugee rights correspondent among other accolades from Cameroon, has brought her nation into the global literary limelight by earning a spot in the prestigious 2025 Poetry World Cup.
Cameroonian writer and refugee rights correspondent Sarah Namondo has elevated the country to the international stage by securing a spot at the Inaugural Poetry World Cup 2025. Her selection was recently announced on the Wax Poetry and Art Library’s website. Wax Poetry and Art is a platform designed for publishing exceptional poetry by poets from around the world. Namondo’s work, “Power Out,” was selected as one of the most-read poems that resonated with an international audience among the ten finalists who participated in the Poetry World Cup challenge.
The Poetry World Cup is a unique, friendly competition that encourages participation by simply reading, enjoying, and sharing the poems. The most-read finalist at the end of the reading period on April 15, 2025, will be declared the winner of the Poetry World Cup. The results will be announced on May 15, 2025.
Namondo’s Early Days
Born and raised at the foot of Mount Cameroon, Sarah Namondo grew up surrounded by the lush scenery and vibrant cultural heritage of the region. Her poetry, which delves into themes of identity, resilience, and the intricate bond between humanity and nature, has captivated audiences near and far. Her latest triumph marks the first time a Cameroonian poet has been represented in an event of such global magnitude. Namondo’s entry piece, Whispers of the Mountain, is a masterful depiction of Mount Cameroon as a symbol of strength and endurance.
The poem reflects the trials and triumphs of the people who live in its shadow, blending personal narrative with collective memory. Lines such as, “The mountain speaks to those who climb, in whispers of storms and skies sublime,” resonate deeply with her audience, offering a glimpse into her profound connection with the natural world.
Namondo as a refugee rights researcher and senior correspondent
With three Master’s degrees in International Law, International Legal Studies, and Peace and Development Studies, Sarah Namondo has amassed a wealth of practical and theoretical knowledge in refugee rights research. Her expertise has made her a valuable asset to the Organization for World Peace (OWP), where she has authored nearly 50 articles and reports on refugee rights and conflict resolution. Additionally, Sarah serves as the Central Africa Adviser for the Crisis Index, diligently monitoring and analyzing conflict trends in the region.
Driven by a fervent passion for advocacy against injustice, Sarah’s research and internships have consistently focused on promoting and protecting the rights of refugees. Her ground-breaking thesis on refugees has been widely recognized and published by esteemed institutions such as the Korean National Assembly Library, Handong Global University Library, IRISS Science, the Korea Education and Research Information Service, and Naver Academic.
Namondo as a language tutor
With eight years of experience, Namondo is a seasoned educator in teaching English as a Second Language. Her teaching journey has taken her from guiding French-speaking kindergarten children in Yaoundé, Cameroon, to nurturing young learners in South Korea, and to tutoring more than a hundred students worldwide online. With a versatile teaching style honed through these diverse experiences, Sarah adeptly tailors her lessons to suit learners of all levels. Currently, she imparts not only English language skills but also insights into Cameroonian culture to both adults and children.
Holding a TEFL certificate and sharing her expertise through her English language blog, Namondo is dedicated to empowering her students on their language-learning journey.
