Howdy!
Between a few proposals and business cases that I've helped create over the past week, I had a trip to Yaounde - the capital of Cameroon. To travel there involved a 2 hour minibus trip to Douala - the commercial centre (with a slightly larger population than Yaounde), and then a 3.5 hour coach journey - slightly different experience as they actually abide by the seat/passenger ratio!
Being in Yaounde reminded me of how much I love the city - and also made me aware of the contrast with a rural area which struggles with poverty. Things we're used to seeing everyday do become ever more apparent. This aside - it was much fun walking around the city, seeing the contrasting architectures and the variety of shops, street sellers and markets. Apparently the city wasn't it's normal self, as it was getting ready for the arrival of the Pope.. but by afternoon it was still very very manic! I wonder what it's like when its normal!!
The shared taxi system here in the cities are also quite cool - You stand by the roadside and shout your destination to the taxi's. If it's on route, they honk approval, pick you up and take you there... if it's not, then they just ignore you. It's quite good, and means that the taxi is normally full whilst travelling.
Working style is also interesting here... To complete a proposal, we did a full days work (9-5), and then I was told how hard we'd worked all day, so to reward ourselves, we went for a meal and a drink! Also, in shops, you are often greeted by what seems unhappiness at them having to complete your request, and they shrug and complete the request (though this often turns positive when you greet and smile at them!).
I've reached the halfway point of my stay in Cameroon... and begun contact with FUGA, the NGO I'll be working with in Uganda. But there is still much to do and see here! I'm due to travel back to Bangem tomorrow.
Ciao for now!
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
Ahh .. time to summarise 2 weeks in a few paragraphs, and try and make you smile again!
Well - after I left you last - I managed to continue my solo travelling successfully back to Bangem - but was again blessed with very little space for long periods! (though I am getting used to that now). The following week I mainly spent going round various delegates who work in the various ministries to try and get their views on the difficulties facing the people in Kupe-Muanenguba. It was really interesting hearing from them, and seeing things from their perspective. I'm aiming to compile a report on the area based on these conversations and what I'm seeing/hearing on the field, which will hopefully provide some guidance to NGO's to what things they should be concentrating on in the coming years.
One of the other highlights was definitely World Womens Day which took place on the 8th March, and is celebrated with some vigour in Cameroon. This years' theme - It is very relevant - as there is still a need for women empowerment activities within the region. The various Womens group from the local area all participated in singing, dancing and the Womens Day March - in which I had the honour of marching with the Womens Empowerment Centre!
Yesterday was another crazy day of travel - in which the car had to take a diversion as they were doing some maintenance on the road. Not a big deal one may think - except the diversion was through a field, and getting back on the road involved about 10 guys pushing the car and stopping it from overturning! We attended the first day of a 2-day workshop discussing a community forest within the region. The workshop was aimed to create a 5 year management plan for the forest - it looked promising yesterday - so hopefully the outputs will be good too. They do have a wealth of resources - although it does require a 3 hour trek to get to one of the villages managing the forest, so you could say they are slightly enclaved!
After meeting a man who literally dreams remedies, and another couple of interesting people, we began our journey back to Kumba, although 10 mins in, whilst going up a v narrow stoney road - the car cut out as the battery had leakage. Whilst waiting for a battery to re-start the car - I witnessed a lorry completely killing the neighbouring bush to pass our stationary vehicle. An hour later - we were on our way - and continued the bumpy journey to Kumba.
What else... Went to an annual fundraising party for a students association which was very interesting... and watched a couple of local footie matches.
Things that needed getting used to? no washing machine, cold showers, no sink or light in the kitchen, no-one easily at the end of a phone, no footie news. Needless to say - working for an NGO in this environment does have its inherent challenges... but it is much fun!
Well - after I left you last - I managed to continue my solo travelling successfully back to Bangem - but was again blessed with very little space for long periods! (though I am getting used to that now). The following week I mainly spent going round various delegates who work in the various ministries to try and get their views on the difficulties facing the people in Kupe-Muanenguba. It was really interesting hearing from them, and seeing things from their perspective. I'm aiming to compile a report on the area based on these conversations and what I'm seeing/hearing on the field, which will hopefully provide some guidance to NGO's to what things they should be concentrating on in the coming years.
One of the other highlights was definitely World Womens Day which took place on the 8th March, and is celebrated with some vigour in Cameroon. This years' theme - It is very relevant - as there is still a need for women empowerment activities within the region. The various Womens group from the local area all participated in singing, dancing and the Womens Day March - in which I had the honour of marching with the Womens Empowerment Centre!
Yesterday was another crazy day of travel - in which the car had to take a diversion as they were doing some maintenance on the road. Not a big deal one may think - except the diversion was through a field, and getting back on the road involved about 10 guys pushing the car and stopping it from overturning! We attended the first day of a 2-day workshop discussing a community forest within the region. The workshop was aimed to create a 5 year management plan for the forest - it looked promising yesterday - so hopefully the outputs will be good too. They do have a wealth of resources - although it does require a 3 hour trek to get to one of the villages managing the forest, so you could say they are slightly enclaved!
After meeting a man who literally dreams remedies, and another couple of interesting people, we began our journey back to Kumba, although 10 mins in, whilst going up a v narrow stoney road - the car cut out as the battery had leakage. Whilst waiting for a battery to re-start the car - I witnessed a lorry completely killing the neighbouring bush to pass our stationary vehicle. An hour later - we were on our way - and continued the bumpy journey to Kumba.
What else... Went to an annual fundraising party for a students association which was very interesting... and watched a couple of local footie matches.
Things that needed getting used to? no washing machine, cold showers, no sink or light in the kitchen, no-one easily at the end of a phone, no footie news. Needless to say - working for an NGO in this environment does have its inherent challenges... but it is much fun!
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