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!
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
"White man!"
A bit more about my last couple of weeks...
Firstly - i'm getting used to being called "White man" by all the little kids - they get very excited when they see me (though the really little ones get very scared - I tried to play with a 1 year old - and he started crying and was super scared of me!).
I think I mentioned how friendly the people are... whenever we've been to visit a village I've been fed tremendously well, and been really welcomed. This morning we visited a village that can only be accessed by foot to have a look at the troubles they have (during the rainy season, they have a lone cane bridge that they have to cross to get access to their neighbouring village with road access (- I use that term very lightly), which every year claims at least 4 or 5 lives). They have to travel carrying loads on their heads or backs - and have to use this road to access medical care too... But besides this - they were really nice and had prepared a lovely meal for us to have sitting next to the river...
Also, my first bit of lone travelling was much fun (though mum's gonna kill me when she hears this). So to travel from Nyandong to Kumba involves a 1.5 hour bike journey (or a very powerful 4x4) to get to road access - If it wasn't eventful enough with the hills and the rocky road, the rear brake broke half way - so my driver somehow put it together, and we did the rest of the journey relying on the engine brakes (and no - we didn't see any other bikes pass so I couldn't swap), This was followed by a 1.5 hour taxi ride - in a car that would definitely not pass it's MOT - to start the car, they push-started and then plugged the accelerator and clutch hard... and to make things more interesting we averaged 8 passengers in a normal car.
TTFN!
Firstly - i'm getting used to being called "White man" by all the little kids - they get very excited when they see me (though the really little ones get very scared - I tried to play with a 1 year old - and he started crying and was super scared of me!).
I think I mentioned how friendly the people are... whenever we've been to visit a village I've been fed tremendously well, and been really welcomed. This morning we visited a village that can only be accessed by foot to have a look at the troubles they have (during the rainy season, they have a lone cane bridge that they have to cross to get access to their neighbouring village with road access (- I use that term very lightly), which every year claims at least 4 or 5 lives). They have to travel carrying loads on their heads or backs - and have to use this road to access medical care too... But besides this - they were really nice and had prepared a lovely meal for us to have sitting next to the river...
Also, my first bit of lone travelling was much fun (though mum's gonna kill me when she hears this). So to travel from Nyandong to Kumba involves a 1.5 hour bike journey (or a very powerful 4x4) to get to road access - If it wasn't eventful enough with the hills and the rocky road, the rear brake broke half way - so my driver somehow put it together, and we did the rest of the journey relying on the engine brakes (and no - we didn't see any other bikes pass so I couldn't swap), This was followed by a 1.5 hour taxi ride - in a car that would definitely not pass it's MOT - to start the car, they push-started and then plugged the accelerator and clutch hard... and to make things more interesting we averaged 8 passengers in a normal car.
TTFN!
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Bangem Town and much more
I've made it back to an internet cafe - We've stopped over in Kumba again on our way to a town called Nyandong - where i'll be staying for a night before travelling back to Bangem...
So 2 weeks... I don't know where to start! After my last update, we departed to Bangem. For a major town within a province, to say it is badly connected would be understatement. To get to the town, you have to overcome a 1hr journey over a rocky road full of bumps and divots... even a powerful UNDP 4x4 needed to take it easy on the route! The day after arriving, I had an 'induction' of the town, where we went round and met the various dignitaries including the MP, the SDO and many more delegates.
The town itself is lovely - all the people i've met have been so very welcoming and friendly... PFPF have provided me a room, and we've had to throw together a kitchen area - as the living quarters being built for future volunteers isn't ready yet... (If we think the builders are slack in london - it's a different ball game here... if you're not standing over them, nothing's being done!).
The rooms are based behind a bar - and bars in Bangem like their music... they like it loud, and they like it till late! but i've quickly got used to the music - for once that finishes, the hens/dogs/birds are all contributing to ensure the liveliness is maintained.
One of the highlights so far has been the Youth Day celebrations that took place on the 8th... this included a serious of performances by the local school kids in the main square, watched by all the dignitaries, and this was followed by a football match with the local school team playing a neighbouring town... the kids sported various foot attire - from traditional footie boots to socks and some barefoot! It was a spirited game which finished on penalities which the home team won - and this sparked much celebrations for the next few hours with the kids taking laps of honour round the pitch, and then around town with their new trophy.
I also took part in a bee farming workshop that PFPF hosted last week - I now know heeps about bee's... and also had the chance to taste some freshly harvested honey from a bee hive (which about 15 of us visited with only 3 wearing bee suits... yep you guessed it, when the bees started buzzing, I promptly ran!)
In between, I've had the chance to get my teeth into PFPF's activities, and have created a plan for my next 2 months of activity in Cameroon... I don't have much time now as we're departing in a few minutes... hopefully i'll have a chance to check in before I head back to Bangem on Thursday.
So 2 weeks... I don't know where to start! After my last update, we departed to Bangem. For a major town within a province, to say it is badly connected would be understatement. To get to the town, you have to overcome a 1hr journey over a rocky road full of bumps and divots... even a powerful UNDP 4x4 needed to take it easy on the route! The day after arriving, I had an 'induction' of the town, where we went round and met the various dignitaries including the MP, the SDO and many more delegates.
The town itself is lovely - all the people i've met have been so very welcoming and friendly... PFPF have provided me a room, and we've had to throw together a kitchen area - as the living quarters being built for future volunteers isn't ready yet... (If we think the builders are slack in london - it's a different ball game here... if you're not standing over them, nothing's being done!).
The rooms are based behind a bar - and bars in Bangem like their music... they like it loud, and they like it till late! but i've quickly got used to the music - for once that finishes, the hens/dogs/birds are all contributing to ensure the liveliness is maintained.
One of the highlights so far has been the Youth Day celebrations that took place on the 8th... this included a serious of performances by the local school kids in the main square, watched by all the dignitaries, and this was followed by a football match with the local school team playing a neighbouring town... the kids sported various foot attire - from traditional footie boots to socks and some barefoot! It was a spirited game which finished on penalities which the home team won - and this sparked much celebrations for the next few hours with the kids taking laps of honour round the pitch, and then around town with their new trophy.
I also took part in a bee farming workshop that PFPF hosted last week - I now know heeps about bee's... and also had the chance to taste some freshly harvested honey from a bee hive (which about 15 of us visited with only 3 wearing bee suits... yep you guessed it, when the bees started buzzing, I promptly ran!)
In between, I've had the chance to get my teeth into PFPF's activities, and have created a plan for my next 2 months of activity in Cameroon... I don't have much time now as we're departing in a few minutes... hopefully i'll have a chance to check in before I head back to Bangem on Thursday.
Saturday, 7 February 2009
In Cameroon!
Well - I'm currently sitting in a Internet cafe in Cameroon! :o)
It's been an interesting couple of days already - The Douala airport was very unique - you have guys offering to help you with your bags before you go through customs... and as soon as you get out, you have the offer of taxi's and phone sim cards etc... I had to wait a bit at the airport to get picked up, so it gave me a good chance to see the various people going about their day in a very relaxed way...
My first stop was at a hospital that is funded by a national church organisation, this wasn't part of the initial schedule, but i was lucky enough to talk to a couple of staff there and learn a bit about what they do and how. This was followed by an evening journey about 140km north (don't quote me on the distance). the first 3/4 of the journey took about 1.5 hours - with a couple of police checks, and my first experience of bribing police on the 3rd check (I didn't have to deal with this directly as the guy who taking me sorted it out). after this, the roads deteriorated drastically - and we averaged about 20km/h. Definitely digested my food! On the way - I was able to see the gorgeous green scenary - a lot of crops and also forestry. Also had a backdrop of Mount Cameroon on route...
Since then, I've been chilling in Kumba, staying at the home of the director of PFPF - Nzene, who I'll be working with. We've met a few of his friends and also fellow PFPF workers. Everyone's been very friendly. It's been interesting hearing the various thoughts about the challenges within the local region. We've got a planning meeting tomorrow (yep - on Sunday) to plan out my 12 weeks... and then I leave for Bangem on Monday afternoon...
Much Fun!
It's been an interesting couple of days already - The Douala airport was very unique - you have guys offering to help you with your bags before you go through customs... and as soon as you get out, you have the offer of taxi's and phone sim cards etc... I had to wait a bit at the airport to get picked up, so it gave me a good chance to see the various people going about their day in a very relaxed way...
My first stop was at a hospital that is funded by a national church organisation, this wasn't part of the initial schedule, but i was lucky enough to talk to a couple of staff there and learn a bit about what they do and how. This was followed by an evening journey about 140km north (don't quote me on the distance). the first 3/4 of the journey took about 1.5 hours - with a couple of police checks, and my first experience of bribing police on the 3rd check (I didn't have to deal with this directly as the guy who taking me sorted it out). after this, the roads deteriorated drastically - and we averaged about 20km/h. Definitely digested my food! On the way - I was able to see the gorgeous green scenary - a lot of crops and also forestry. Also had a backdrop of Mount Cameroon on route...
Since then, I've been chilling in Kumba, staying at the home of the director of PFPF - Nzene, who I'll be working with. We've met a few of his friends and also fellow PFPF workers. Everyone's been very friendly. It's been interesting hearing the various thoughts about the challenges within the local region. We've got a planning meeting tomorrow (yep - on Sunday) to plan out my 12 weeks... and then I leave for Bangem on Monday afternoon...
Much Fun!
Sunday, 1 February 2009
2 days to go!
Injections - check
Luggage - check
Visa - oops, couldn't get it today as I was snowed in!
So after closing everything off at work on Friday (hopefully successfully!), all that's standing in the way of my departure is the snow and ice in london. I'll hopefully be collecting my visa from the Cameroon embassy tomorrow, and Heathrow would have sorted itself out and be working to schedule. The best bit about the embassy visit - the guy that served me on Thursday was actually from Bangem, the town where I will be staying - it's a relatively small town, so it's quite amazing. He was definitely very excited and he's gonna give me a letter to give to his family out there, and has told me to go visit them - Absolutely crazy and hopefully the sign of things to come.
What else... well - I've agreed to go without a laptop, and be 'yes man' (as much as I can). Also, the internet access will be quite limited for me - Bangem doesn't as yet have access, so I will be travelling to a neighbouring town called Nkongsamba to reach the web (for which I have to take a car and a bus), so no promises re: updates. And, if anyone wants to know about malaria tablets... just give me a shout!
Friday, 16 January 2009
Getting ready to go...
So it's finally happening... Qedis have agreed my sabbatical and I'm off to Cameroon and Uganda for 6.5 months to work with a couple of NGOs. I'll be trying to keep blogging regularly - but am not yet certain of how much access I'll have to the web, (and also I'm not good at doing these things) so we'll see how well I do.
So a bit about my plans...
In Cameroon, I will be working with an organisation called PFPF (Partners For Productivity Foundation). They have been around for about 10 years, and currently are involved in agriculture, education, environment, healthcare and livelihoods programmes for locals in the Kupe-Muanenguba Division of the South West Province. They are based in a small town called Bangem - which will be my home for my 12 week stay in Cameroon.
At PFPF, my role will be "Training and Resource Base Project – Planning and Development Officer". From the job description, I will be helping the organisation with the projects they've currently undertaking, and also looking at how the organisation works, in terms of communications, training, staff resources etc. In reality, it will be case of seeing what's going on, and figuring out ways I can be of help!
So I'm departing on the 4th Feb, and will be leaving Cameroon for Uganda on the 28th April. In Uganda, I'll be staying in Kampala, but I'll introduce this further later in the journey... For now, it's back to ticking off my to-do list...
So a bit about my plans...
In Cameroon, I will be working with an organisation called PFPF (Partners For Productivity Foundation). They have been around for about 10 years, and currently are involved in agriculture, education, environment, healthcare and livelihoods programmes for locals in the Kupe-Muanenguba Division of the South West Province. They are based in a small town called Bangem - which will be my home for my 12 week stay in Cameroon.
At PFPF, my role will be "Training and Resource Base Project – Planning and Development Officer". From the job description, I will be helping the organisation with the projects they've currently undertaking, and also looking at how the organisation works, in terms of communications, training, staff resources etc. In reality, it will be case of seeing what's going on, and figuring out ways I can be of help!
So I'm departing on the 4th Feb, and will be leaving Cameroon for Uganda on the 28th April. In Uganda, I'll be staying in Kampala, but I'll introduce this further later in the journey... For now, it's back to ticking off my to-do list...
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