Vacation took an unexpected course as Mr. Mbeh walked with a friend in Yaoundé, Cameroon’s bustling capital with 2.4 million residents.

Tzu Chi provides food, clothing, shelter and direct financial assistance around the world. A network of hospitals, mobile units, doctors, medical professionals and volunteers furnish free health care.

“You want to be remembered for doing something. This starts from where you are right now. You don’t want to waste a single minute,” says Mr. Keneth Kaggwa.

The NGO, dubbed “WeAreMAD” (shorthand for “we are making a difference”), promotes sanitation in a country where waste looms with perilous implications.

Courageous NGOs in Malaysia oppose a leader steeped in alleged corruption.

Egyptian social activists pay a stiff price for challenging government policies.