Since descending the mountain yesterday in the early afternoon, this is the first opportunity I have had to sit down and elevate my legs! You should see my legs and feet---SWOLLEN beyond belief. If anyone ever thought I had cankles before, you should see them now! Unfortunately I am still waiting on my USB camera cord in order to upload photos. Have no fear; I will attach photos of this adventure as soon as possible.
Climbing Mount Cameroon was intensely difficult and I am pretty sure that my body is quite angry with what I have put it through over the past three days. When you think of the largest mountain in West Africa or the 3rd largest on the African continent, you cannot imagine how insanely steep and treacherous the trek was, both up and down! I heard stories from other PCVs but could not quite fathom the reality until I was trudging along, right there on the mountain.
Five of us made the trek together, along with six porters and one fantastic guide, Hans. He and I became quite “close” since I was always at the back of our line and he was there to push me along and save my ass from falling down more often.
In just about 15 hours, over the course of three days, we climbed from the base of the mountain (~800 m) to the windy summit (~4000 m) [where we of course popped a bottle of champagne to celebrate] and back down through old lava flow areas, 26 craters from the last eruption in 1999, Ireland-esque rolling green hills, and dense rainforest!
Taking the night bus yesterday was probably the stupidest idea I have ever had, but needless to say, I and my unbendable knees have made it home in one piece. In fact, our group of five had no injuries, some small sunburn and collectively only three small blisters! We had heard of people losing toenails, developing blisters the size of their entire heel, and even turning around after the first resting hut. Not us! Even though it was far from easy, we succeeded with a great pace!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Better late than never-Sunday will be Passover Seder, Cameroonian style! Hana (my post mate, friend and fellow Jew) and I have coordinated to have a Seder for us and other PCVs in our stage and who live in the Northwest-most of them have no idea what Passover is all about and so we decided to add some culture into their lives! I found a 2 minute Haggadah and an average-length one and we’ll be preparing as much of the Seder plate and traditional foods as are possible!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Some random tidbits that often come to my mind on long bus rides to Yaoundé or Douala:
~ Taxis in Cameroon (also known as bush taxis or clandos) run on an “I think I can” basis
~ When mango season is approaching, much excitement fills the air (well at least PCV’s air) and it falls towards the end of pear (avocado) season! MANGO SALSA & GUAC! Additionally, it is also the start of plum (French word is prune) season; purple, sphere shaped “food” that tastes like a lemony-artichoke and is high in protein and fat. Delicious when paired with grilled corn or roasted plantains!
~ It is quite rare to find a Cameroonian man who approaches you and will not ultimately (usually in less than a minute of interaction) tell you he loves you and/or wants your number.
~ Cameroonians are very fond of using the statement, “we are managing/ we are trying” in response to “how are you”. Sometimes they are and sometimes they are hoping for a miracle that will make their day to day lives less difficult.
~ It is believed that lager beers = weight gain and stouts = fertility and increased sex drive.
~ Cameroon is a bilingual country, but more Anglophones (2 Regions in Cameroon) know French than Francophones (8 Regions in Cameroon) know Grammar, aka English.
~ In rural schools, the headmaster and teachers prefer that the children come barefoot instead of wearing “slippers” (house shoes-flip flops), since they are for home and not formal enough for school!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Work Highlights at Post (because isn’t that what I am supposed to be focusing on):
~ Computer Training for the members of my NGO who are taking advantage of it
I’m not doing the teaching, but helped make the arrangements and contributed to make it fiscally possible.
~ Choose A Future
Just 4 sessions this time around for about 30 girls, at the Government Bilingual High School in Fundong, before they head off on “holiday” (summer vacation as we know it)
~ Sex Education Course
Helping to supervise my NGO to conduct another round of this course, at our office, again before the three month holiday break from school
~ Diabetes/Hypertension Manual for Health Care Practitioners and PCVs
This is something that I have wanted to assemble since I attended the local Diabetes clinic, more than a year ago. My postmate (Hana) and I have chosen twelve topics (for the 12 times a year – 1x per month) for which we will create simple lessons that anyone (no matter whether they have a lick of knowledge about Diabetes) can read ahead of time and present to a local clinic or support group. It now seems that PC Cameroon wants to have this available for all PCVs, since Diabetes and Hypertension are seriously beginning to plague this country!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I only have about 6-7 months left as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cameroon! Holy Shit! Time sure does fly when you are having fun, being bored, helping others, living in a new world, adjusting and changing daily!
I will know towards the end of August when my official COS (Close of Service) date will be…
Take care; be in touch, and all that jazz!
Love, Stef
Friday, April 29, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Recent Frustration Mixed with Good Travels to Gabon and the Grand North of Cameroon
I'll begin this posting with a comment from my counterpart, Simon, after a meeting we had with Heifer International yesterday:
"Stef, I want you to have more experiences like this because isn't Peace Corps also a cultural exchange? If you don't have difficult interactions, you won't accurately be able to report on the way things work in Cameroon."
...as if all I do is report that Cameroon is "coming up roses"!
Simon and I had met with the Heifer International Cameroon's Country Director and the Gender Project Specialist (I'll refer to him as GPS) many months ago and got the go ahead to write up a Project Proposal for a continuation of the Plight of Orphans and Widows Workshop that Better Family Foundation conducted in Fundong, last July. We followed through and wrote up the proposal (which would allow us to have the backing of Heifer's name and have them help us find funding from their donors) and have been waiting to have another meeting with the GPS, with the intent of taking the next steps.
The GPS called us in for a meeting - I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I imagine some substantial direction or assistance in carrying out the next step. When we arrived, he acted quite aloof; he told us that now we had to write up a full spectrum proposal to be submitted to donors, but it couldn't be the format of Heifer International...
When I asked him for some guidance as to what to include and many other details, he instead was chatting online and texting on his phone. When I asked again he acted as if I was stupid and didn't understand that we couldn't copy their format and I began developing a "professional" attitude at his evasiveness, "I understand, but can you at the very least show us some samples?" He did once he finished sending some personal emails.
When I asked what Heifer's role would be after we write up the project, he stated that they will send it out to potential donors. When I asked if there's a chance that a donor would not be interested in the project, he wouldn't answer the question and just kept repeating the next step. Again, I got a bit of attitude and said, "Is there a chance that the project will not get funded?", he said, "well yes, it's 50/50 but I didn't want to give a negative response to you." ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I said, "well it's important to be realistic...in life and not avoid telling people what to expect."
I think you guys are getting the point of this "productive [okay, in the end it was a bit helpful, though initially I felt like he could've saved us a trip and just sent us this basic information over email] meeting"---though the frustration continued. We were reviewing a chart template for reporting our objectives and activities and risks involved, etc. When I asked if he could give us an example of certain column entries he said, "well that's impossible without an objective". COME ON DUDE...and he ended up being able to explain further, without an objective...even though I did offer one. GRR!
After the meeting I apologized to Simon for my "bitchiness" [which he said wasn't evident...wow!] and explained what he has heard about Heifer and other NGOs project planning under them. Supposedly in Cameroon (this shouldn't come as a shock, knowing the corruption that encircles this "world") there are Heifer employees who are not honest people and who take ideas in order to establish their own credibility! NAUSEATING...both that a world renowned organization allows this and keeps these people as employees!
Deep breath...
Gabon with my Mom and Harry was a wonderful experience over New Years! Their visit was fantastic---a whirlwind in Fundong (once they finally arrived, without all of their luggage---remember that horrible winter in the US and Europe---oh wait, it continues), Xmas in a very small village in the SW Region with my neighbors, Peter & Carine, everything that is Cameroon [corruption, bad roads, new and different foods--not their favorites], and then onto Gabon.
In summary, Gabon and Cameroon are like NIGHT AND DAY! One would never imagine that they share a border. In general, the Gabonese hold themselves and go about life as if they have a PURPOSE---completely the opposite of most Cameroonians! There is infrastructure, development, lines defining parking spaces in parking lots, a flow and rhythm to how to get things accomplished!
It's definitely a country I would recommend visiting; there is definitely a tourism industry---on the rise! They do still have work to do in that regard, and probably need to get English speaking natives working in the industry, but it's a beautiful country---on the coast, 75% of land set aside for national parks, wildlife [we watched monkeys and mandrills grub on bananas just meters away from us and turtles laying eggs on the beach], friendly people, and wood fired pizza!
After my Midservice (medical and dental checkups) conference in Yaounde [Can we believe that I have just about 10 months left??????], I traveled with some friends up to the Grand North of Cameroon - Adamawa, North, Extreme North regions! I now have been to all 10 regions of this country, 90% more than what most Cameroonians have ever seen. It's a whole other world up there; it is dry [riverbeds that must be dug for meters before water is found], little vegetation, and peaceful. We mainly stayed with other PCVs and tried to see as much as we could in our short time up there. We enjoyed the snacks [chai tea, tofu, dates, sesame seed balls, dried meat encrusted with pepe and peanuts], observing the polygamous Fulani (Muslim) culture, and not being bothered as much as Francophones and even some Anglophones do...because we're white!
I'm back at post, quasi preparing for the GRE next weekend and jumping back into "work". My goal with Better Family Foundation (in as much as they want to be helped and guided) is to get them standing on their own two feet before I leave, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to function without the constant help of a PCV...I'll keep you posted...
Happy 2011, wishing you less snow and ice over time (if you're in those parts of the country), hoping that you're rooting for the Steelers tomorrow, and more!
Until next time!
Stef
"Stef, I want you to have more experiences like this because isn't Peace Corps also a cultural exchange? If you don't have difficult interactions, you won't accurately be able to report on the way things work in Cameroon."
...as if all I do is report that Cameroon is "coming up roses"!
Simon and I had met with the Heifer International Cameroon's Country Director and the Gender Project Specialist (I'll refer to him as GPS) many months ago and got the go ahead to write up a Project Proposal for a continuation of the Plight of Orphans and Widows Workshop that Better Family Foundation conducted in Fundong, last July. We followed through and wrote up the proposal (which would allow us to have the backing of Heifer's name and have them help us find funding from their donors) and have been waiting to have another meeting with the GPS, with the intent of taking the next steps.
The GPS called us in for a meeting - I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I imagine some substantial direction or assistance in carrying out the next step. When we arrived, he acted quite aloof; he told us that now we had to write up a full spectrum proposal to be submitted to donors, but it couldn't be the format of Heifer International...
When I asked him for some guidance as to what to include and many other details, he instead was chatting online and texting on his phone. When I asked again he acted as if I was stupid and didn't understand that we couldn't copy their format and I began developing a "professional" attitude at his evasiveness, "I understand, but can you at the very least show us some samples?" He did once he finished sending some personal emails.
When I asked what Heifer's role would be after we write up the project, he stated that they will send it out to potential donors. When I asked if there's a chance that a donor would not be interested in the project, he wouldn't answer the question and just kept repeating the next step. Again, I got a bit of attitude and said, "Is there a chance that the project will not get funded?", he said, "well yes, it's 50/50 but I didn't want to give a negative response to you." ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I said, "well it's important to be realistic...in life and not avoid telling people what to expect."
I think you guys are getting the point of this "productive [okay, in the end it was a bit helpful, though initially I felt like he could've saved us a trip and just sent us this basic information over email] meeting"---though the frustration continued. We were reviewing a chart template for reporting our objectives and activities and risks involved, etc. When I asked if he could give us an example of certain column entries he said, "well that's impossible without an objective". COME ON DUDE...and he ended up being able to explain further, without an objective...even though I did offer one. GRR!
After the meeting I apologized to Simon for my "bitchiness" [which he said wasn't evident...wow!] and explained what he has heard about Heifer and other NGOs project planning under them. Supposedly in Cameroon (this shouldn't come as a shock, knowing the corruption that encircles this "world") there are Heifer employees who are not honest people and who take ideas in order to establish their own credibility! NAUSEATING...both that a world renowned organization allows this and keeps these people as employees!
Deep breath...
Gabon with my Mom and Harry was a wonderful experience over New Years! Their visit was fantastic---a whirlwind in Fundong (once they finally arrived, without all of their luggage---remember that horrible winter in the US and Europe---oh wait, it continues), Xmas in a very small village in the SW Region with my neighbors, Peter & Carine, everything that is Cameroon [corruption, bad roads, new and different foods--not their favorites], and then onto Gabon.
In summary, Gabon and Cameroon are like NIGHT AND DAY! One would never imagine that they share a border. In general, the Gabonese hold themselves and go about life as if they have a PURPOSE---completely the opposite of most Cameroonians! There is infrastructure, development, lines defining parking spaces in parking lots, a flow and rhythm to how to get things accomplished!
It's definitely a country I would recommend visiting; there is definitely a tourism industry---on the rise! They do still have work to do in that regard, and probably need to get English speaking natives working in the industry, but it's a beautiful country---on the coast, 75% of land set aside for national parks, wildlife [we watched monkeys and mandrills grub on bananas just meters away from us and turtles laying eggs on the beach], friendly people, and wood fired pizza!
After my Midservice (medical and dental checkups) conference in Yaounde [Can we believe that I have just about 10 months left??????], I traveled with some friends up to the Grand North of Cameroon - Adamawa, North, Extreme North regions! I now have been to all 10 regions of this country, 90% more than what most Cameroonians have ever seen. It's a whole other world up there; it is dry [riverbeds that must be dug for meters before water is found], little vegetation, and peaceful. We mainly stayed with other PCVs and tried to see as much as we could in our short time up there. We enjoyed the snacks [chai tea, tofu, dates, sesame seed balls, dried meat encrusted with pepe and peanuts], observing the polygamous Fulani (Muslim) culture, and not being bothered as much as Francophones and even some Anglophones do...because we're white!
I'm back at post, quasi preparing for the GRE next weekend and jumping back into "work". My goal with Better Family Foundation (in as much as they want to be helped and guided) is to get them standing on their own two feet before I leave, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to function without the constant help of a PCV...I'll keep you posted...
Happy 2011, wishing you less snow and ice over time (if you're in those parts of the country), hoping that you're rooting for the Steelers tomorrow, and more!
Until next time!
Stef
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Rainy Season turns to Dry Season
As you've all set back your clocks and our ground is drying up for the next few months, I figure it's time to give you a bit of an update.
I've been reluctant to blog within the past couple of months because my life has been so hectic, but more so relating to my work with Peace Corps Cameroon Admin "things."
I'm finally back in Fundong (and staying put) for [only] a week and a half, before the various Turkey Day activities begin. Then, with other things here and there at the start of December, before I know know it my Mom and Harry will be visiting! We're going to do a whirlwind tour of Fundong, spend Xmas in the Southwest region with my neighbor Peter and his family, see the beaches of Limbe, and then spend a little under a week in GABON!
Instead of writing paragraph upon paragraph in this entry, I'll just list things I've been doing, been wanting to do, and been thinking about recently. If you want more details/information, don't hesitate to ask me.
1) I really enjoyed helping out with the training of the new health/agro group - felt like an experienced volunteer and a therapist all at the same time
2) Having a year under your belt (as a PCV) feels very positive, especially seeing and hearing the anxiety of those just starting out
3) I love my community (here in Fundong) and miss them when I'm away too long. I enjoy continuing to learn the local dialect, Kom, and know that the locals appreciate it as well. As for Pidgin English, it's sort of like my inability to drive a stick shift, just not able to pick it up as easily!
4) I've caught up on the first 5 episodes of Glee, Season 2 --- not as great as Season 1.
5) I've decided to take the GRE in February, here in Yaounde. Hoping that the 2nd time around I perform better, this will help me figure out "what's next", after Peace Corps.
6) I recently acquired whole wheat flour (!) and made whole wheat tortillas this morning --- I can just feel the fiber having a hay day in my body, after so long!
7) My work as a PCV has taken a hiatus over these past few months and I feel is only going to continue that way until March (?). Don't get me wrong, it's not as if I've been sitting on my butt doing nothing. I've been continuing capacity building efforts with my NGO, Better Family Foundation, as much as is possible since I haven't consistently been around. I feel that a lot of my efforts have been towards preparing and executing training sessions for the new health/agro trainees. In addition to that, traveling within this country is an event in and of itself and takes time to accomplish and from which to recuperate!
8) I'm craving the ability to implement secondary projects (such as monthly Diabetes Awareness/Prevention sessions and more Choose A Future type activities) but lacking the consistency of being here to follow through.
9) I think I've decided that I prefer rainy season to dry season--a little mud is nothing compared with a lot of dust!
10) I have plans to travel, in mid-January, with a few friends from my training group to the East and Grand North regions of Cameroon! It's supposed to be a very different world around those parts.
11) I'm pleased to say that a small handful of Cameroonians (in and around Fundong) are thinking about making chocolate chip cookies for Xmas, instead of the traditional Chin-Chin (fried dough) - cross-cultural exchange is a success!
12) Pictures have been lacking from my more recent blog updates and I'm hoping that will change once my Mom arrives and bring the USB that I forgot while home in the States.
13) A Pencil for Pikins update is in the works, keep waiting patiently and I'll let you know when the new link is up! Thanks again for your personal interest in this project and to those connected to you who participated.
That's all for now.
Waka Fine Yah (You Be Well)!
Stef
I've been reluctant to blog within the past couple of months because my life has been so hectic, but more so relating to my work with Peace Corps Cameroon Admin "things."
I'm finally back in Fundong (and staying put) for [only] a week and a half, before the various Turkey Day activities begin. Then, with other things here and there at the start of December, before I know know it my Mom and Harry will be visiting! We're going to do a whirlwind tour of Fundong, spend Xmas in the Southwest region with my neighbor Peter and his family, see the beaches of Limbe, and then spend a little under a week in GABON!
Instead of writing paragraph upon paragraph in this entry, I'll just list things I've been doing, been wanting to do, and been thinking about recently. If you want more details/information, don't hesitate to ask me.
1) I really enjoyed helping out with the training of the new health/agro group - felt like an experienced volunteer and a therapist all at the same time
2) Having a year under your belt (as a PCV) feels very positive, especially seeing and hearing the anxiety of those just starting out
3) I love my community (here in Fundong) and miss them when I'm away too long. I enjoy continuing to learn the local dialect, Kom, and know that the locals appreciate it as well. As for Pidgin English, it's sort of like my inability to drive a stick shift, just not able to pick it up as easily!
4) I've caught up on the first 5 episodes of Glee, Season 2 --- not as great as Season 1.
5) I've decided to take the GRE in February, here in Yaounde. Hoping that the 2nd time around I perform better, this will help me figure out "what's next", after Peace Corps.
6) I recently acquired whole wheat flour (!) and made whole wheat tortillas this morning --- I can just feel the fiber having a hay day in my body, after so long!
7) My work as a PCV has taken a hiatus over these past few months and I feel is only going to continue that way until March (?). Don't get me wrong, it's not as if I've been sitting on my butt doing nothing. I've been continuing capacity building efforts with my NGO, Better Family Foundation, as much as is possible since I haven't consistently been around. I feel that a lot of my efforts have been towards preparing and executing training sessions for the new health/agro trainees. In addition to that, traveling within this country is an event in and of itself and takes time to accomplish and from which to recuperate!
8) I'm craving the ability to implement secondary projects (such as monthly Diabetes Awareness/Prevention sessions and more Choose A Future type activities) but lacking the consistency of being here to follow through.
9) I think I've decided that I prefer rainy season to dry season--a little mud is nothing compared with a lot of dust!
10) I have plans to travel, in mid-January, with a few friends from my training group to the East and Grand North regions of Cameroon! It's supposed to be a very different world around those parts.
11) I'm pleased to say that a small handful of Cameroonians (in and around Fundong) are thinking about making chocolate chip cookies for Xmas, instead of the traditional Chin-Chin (fried dough) - cross-cultural exchange is a success!
12) Pictures have been lacking from my more recent blog updates and I'm hoping that will change once my Mom arrives and bring the USB that I forgot while home in the States.
13) A Pencil for Pikins update is in the works, keep waiting patiently and I'll let you know when the new link is up! Thanks again for your personal interest in this project and to those connected to you who participated.
That's all for now.
Waka Fine Yah (You Be Well)!
Stef
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Making the Most of It
The title of this post is the last thing that my dad said to me as he left me at SFO with my 75 lb duffel filled with school supplies. I think nothing more perfect and timely could’ve been appropriate as his parting words. The reason I say this is because during my three week (incredible) whirlwind back in the US, I did a lot of reflecting on my Peace Corps experience, thus far. A lot of this was due to the questions I received about my experience, from genuinely interested people. Basically, I often question the impact of Peace Corps (at least in Cameroon), even though I know I’m not going to change the country, let alone an entire community. Also, I’m unsure how fulfilling the experience truly is, and I may not fully realize this until long after I have finished my service. I don’t at all regret becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer and truly feel this is where I belong right now, it just was difficult to leave my Cameroonian bubble and have a QUICK taste of the other reality that is my life in the United States. So…I’m planning to make the most of it, for the remaining 14 or so months of my service!
Before I go with my neighbors, Peter and Carine, to deliver the abundance of school supplies that so many of you (and your coworkers, friends and family) donated, I just wanted to personally thank you for your support and commitment to helping those less fortunate! As I said above, the school supplies donated were MANY and I began accepting monetary donations towards the end, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to carry more. Those donations ended up going towards the cost of shlepping the duffel from Pittsburgh to San Francisco and then from San Francisco to Douala, Cameroon – so thank you, they came in handy! After I come back from GHS Aduk, I will be sure to give you all an update, with pictures included.
Ever since returning from the States at the end of August, I’ve been quite busy away from Fundong. I almost immediately turned around and headed to Yaounde because I, and four others from my training group, was accepted to help out with the design of the upcoming training for the Community Health Volunteers who will be arriving this week! (I can’t believe I’ve just about been in this country for one entire year) I spent close to two weeks there both designing the training and determining which sessions I would be co-facilitating throughout their training. Here they are:
• Role as a Facilitator/Training of Trainers Approaches
• NGO Development/Capacity Building
• Action Planning
• Nutrition & Nutrition Applications for both Health & Agroforestry Trainees
• Cameroonian Education System
I’ll also be one of the representatives presenting on the Peer Support Network (one of the committees I was selected for in April) and also a new session on Resiliency Training. As a result of this, I’m busy brainstorming and preparing these sessions and will be going to Bafia, the location of the new training site, a couple of times in the upcoming months. I’m very excited about this; it just means that my ability to get work done at post will not be as easy.
As I get a grasp on my other work in Fundong, I’ll be sure to update you.
I’m hoping that this blog update is finding all of you happy, healthy and successful!
Take care, be in touch!
Until next time,
Stef
Before I go with my neighbors, Peter and Carine, to deliver the abundance of school supplies that so many of you (and your coworkers, friends and family) donated, I just wanted to personally thank you for your support and commitment to helping those less fortunate! As I said above, the school supplies donated were MANY and I began accepting monetary donations towards the end, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to carry more. Those donations ended up going towards the cost of shlepping the duffel from Pittsburgh to San Francisco and then from San Francisco to Douala, Cameroon – so thank you, they came in handy! After I come back from GHS Aduk, I will be sure to give you all an update, with pictures included.
Ever since returning from the States at the end of August, I’ve been quite busy away from Fundong. I almost immediately turned around and headed to Yaounde because I, and four others from my training group, was accepted to help out with the design of the upcoming training for the Community Health Volunteers who will be arriving this week! (I can’t believe I’ve just about been in this country for one entire year) I spent close to two weeks there both designing the training and determining which sessions I would be co-facilitating throughout their training. Here they are:
• Role as a Facilitator/Training of Trainers Approaches
• NGO Development/Capacity Building
• Action Planning
• Nutrition & Nutrition Applications for both Health & Agroforestry Trainees
• Cameroonian Education System
I’ll also be one of the representatives presenting on the Peer Support Network (one of the committees I was selected for in April) and also a new session on Resiliency Training. As a result of this, I’m busy brainstorming and preparing these sessions and will be going to Bafia, the location of the new training site, a couple of times in the upcoming months. I’m very excited about this; it just means that my ability to get work done at post will not be as easy.
As I get a grasp on my other work in Fundong, I’ll be sure to update you.
I’m hoping that this blog update is finding all of you happy, healthy and successful!
Take care, be in touch!
Until next time,
Stef
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
NJ, Pgh, San Fran...OH MY!
As I begin packing for my three weeks in the States, I figured I would check in with all of you (as I'm shortly going to be doing for a ton of flights).
I'm very excited for this "vacation" since I've been quite busy with work and could use a breather...say, in another country, on an entirely different continent!
I am looking forward to seeing as many of you as is humanly possible, given timing and location and all of those other logistics.
I will begin my travels on Thursday from Fundong to Bamenda and then to Douala, arriving Friday EARLY morning. I will, luckily, get to hang out with another volunteer returning from the US that evening, before I head off on my flight sequence from Douala to Paris to Amsterdam to NEWARK, arriving on Saturday late afternoon (around 4:30 pm).
I will not have my old cell phone number, or any cell phone of my own actually.
Below are "contact numbers" if you are wanting to reach me.
Sat, July 31 - Sun, Aug 1
732-310-1638 (Angela)
Sun, Aug 1 - Fri, Aug 6
973-687-3501 (Stef - the beautiful bride TO BE)
Sat, Aug 7 - Fri, Aug 13
412-681-6685 (Mom Home) or 412-779-9732 (Mom Cell)
Fri, Aug 13 - Fri, Aug 20 (I leave SF in the late morning)
202-669-5196 (Dad Cell) or 415-725-2497 (Jolie Cell)
Try not to abuse the numbers (for the sake of the owners), but I look forward to talking to whomever would like to be in touch!
Au Revoir Cameroon!
Bonjour Etats Unis!
I'm very excited for this "vacation" since I've been quite busy with work and could use a breather...say, in another country, on an entirely different continent!
I am looking forward to seeing as many of you as is humanly possible, given timing and location and all of those other logistics.
I will begin my travels on Thursday from Fundong to Bamenda and then to Douala, arriving Friday EARLY morning. I will, luckily, get to hang out with another volunteer returning from the US that evening, before I head off on my flight sequence from Douala to Paris to Amsterdam to NEWARK, arriving on Saturday late afternoon (around 4:30 pm).
I will not have my old cell phone number, or any cell phone of my own actually.
Below are "contact numbers" if you are wanting to reach me.
Sat, July 31 - Sun, Aug 1
732-310-1638 (Angela)
Sun, Aug 1 - Fri, Aug 6
973-687-3501 (Stef - the beautiful bride TO BE)
Sat, Aug 7 - Fri, Aug 13
412-681-6685 (Mom Home) or 412-779-9732 (Mom Cell)
Fri, Aug 13 - Fri, Aug 20 (I leave SF in the late morning)
202-669-5196 (Dad Cell) or 415-725-2497 (Jolie Cell)
Try not to abuse the numbers (for the sake of the owners), but I look forward to talking to whomever would like to be in touch!
Au Revoir Cameroon!
Bonjour Etats Unis!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Fundong - In All Of Its Glory
Bonjour!
Since I'm in Yaounde for a meeting, I figured I should greet you in French. It's been great over the past few days to be praciticing my French, full on.
I hope the 4th of July was great for all of you. Here in Yaounde we were invited to the US Embassy for an afternoon of "Americanness." The Embassy is equipped with a nice-sized pool (only for Embassy employees) and there's a golf course for the neighborhood, directly behind---a surreal neighborhood of WEALTH, only minutes away from the typical, somewhat downtrodden surroundings of this country. We sang the national anthem (interestingly a bit of nostalgia washed over me) and ate cheeseburgers, Doritos, and Oreos, OH MY!
Slowly but surely I'm trying to introduce you to my life in Fundong. You have seen pictures of people I live/work with, my house, and now some sights in Fundong town:
This is the center of town, hence the grandstand (painted in Cameroon's colors) on the left. On the right is the sculpture dedicated to the recent celebration of 50 years of independence.
Just wanted to add this in to show you the keen sense of income generation: many women selling the EXACT same items, side by side. Competition much?
Some more sights and stores in Fundong. I think I took this picture to help give a sense of the beautiful scenery that surrounds me on a daily basis.
The MC2 on the right is the Micro Credit Institution, but in the far distance is the Fundong District Hospital and this is the direction heading out of Fundong, towards Bamenda.
This is a crossroads in the center of Fundong. Up this road is my NGO and another village called Fujua. If you were to continue up this road and then turn right, you'd begin heading to my house.
Our Bread Store that doesn't really sell that nice of a variety of bread products. Baguette (mmm) is nonexistent in Fundong, it's only square white bread that's nothing to call home about.
"The Road" on Market Day. In my division, market days are every 8 days. Luckily though, in Fundong there is a nice variety of food stuffs everyday - market days just make for larger quantities of the same items and MASS CHAOS!
More of "the road". Slightly beyond here is called "the end of tar" - meaning that the paved road ends. Paved roads make for MUCH easier travel in this country.
Right behind the "benskin" (the local word for moto) is Simon's wife's blanket store. Usually she has many of them hanging out front on display, but since it was raining, she had previously brought them inside.
This is the road to Ngwainkuma, Simon's village. Three steep hills later, you arrive at his house.
I'm heading back to post tomorrow, after my meeting, and will be as productive as possible before LEAVING FOR THE UNITED STATES on July 30th!
Hope all is well with you and you're enjoying these summer months!
Until next time,
Stef
Since I'm in Yaounde for a meeting, I figured I should greet you in French. It's been great over the past few days to be praciticing my French, full on.
I hope the 4th of July was great for all of you. Here in Yaounde we were invited to the US Embassy for an afternoon of "Americanness." The Embassy is equipped with a nice-sized pool (only for Embassy employees) and there's a golf course for the neighborhood, directly behind---a surreal neighborhood of WEALTH, only minutes away from the typical, somewhat downtrodden surroundings of this country. We sang the national anthem (interestingly a bit of nostalgia washed over me) and ate cheeseburgers, Doritos, and Oreos, OH MY!
Slowly but surely I'm trying to introduce you to my life in Fundong. You have seen pictures of people I live/work with, my house, and now some sights in Fundong town:
This is the center of town, hence the grandstand (painted in Cameroon's colors) on the left. On the right is the sculpture dedicated to the recent celebration of 50 years of independence.
Just wanted to add this in to show you the keen sense of income generation: many women selling the EXACT same items, side by side. Competition much?
Some more sights and stores in Fundong. I think I took this picture to help give a sense of the beautiful scenery that surrounds me on a daily basis.
The MC2 on the right is the Micro Credit Institution, but in the far distance is the Fundong District Hospital and this is the direction heading out of Fundong, towards Bamenda.
This is a crossroads in the center of Fundong. Up this road is my NGO and another village called Fujua. If you were to continue up this road and then turn right, you'd begin heading to my house.
Our Bread Store that doesn't really sell that nice of a variety of bread products. Baguette (mmm) is nonexistent in Fundong, it's only square white bread that's nothing to call home about.
"The Road" on Market Day. In my division, market days are every 8 days. Luckily though, in Fundong there is a nice variety of food stuffs everyday - market days just make for larger quantities of the same items and MASS CHAOS!
More of "the road". Slightly beyond here is called "the end of tar" - meaning that the paved road ends. Paved roads make for MUCH easier travel in this country.
Right behind the "benskin" (the local word for moto) is Simon's wife's blanket store. Usually she has many of them hanging out front on display, but since it was raining, she had previously brought them inside.
This is the road to Ngwainkuma, Simon's village. Three steep hills later, you arrive at his house.
I'm heading back to post tomorrow, after my meeting, and will be as productive as possible before LEAVING FOR THE UNITED STATES on July 30th!
Hope all is well with you and you're enjoying these summer months!
Until next time,
Stef
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
My Cameroonian Digs
I haven't decided if I'm going to just continue with the picture fest that I began last blog update or whether I will also culture you a bit...
For starters, welcome to my home in Teacher's Quarter within Chaikain's compound. The first two photos are a sampling of the intensity of the rains during rainy season, a view from the front door and a view from the back door.
The next series of photos are the interior of my house!
The last two photos are my section of house from the driveway and then the entire structure with my Francophone neighbors' digs on the right.
Is it what you thought? It's no mud hut in the middle of nowhere, I'll tell you that, and you've seen for yourself. There is electricity (locally known as "current") and running water 95% of the time. It's more than I deem necessary for this experience, but am at least glad that I had more of a "village experience" during my training. Although I'm loving having internet and being able to watch tv shows or movies at night, I think I'd prefer running water to electricity. Then again, not having running water really allows for water conservation more than anything. I've learned, now that's it is rainy season, to use the rain water to clean my floors, my clothes, and occasionally my dishes and have been a conservationist when it comes to taking my showers. I only allow the water to run to wet my hair and my body and then to wash the soap off.
In closing, work has been a bit frustrating lately, the first time over the past almost 6 months at post. I was trying to secure the following "projects" until leaving for the US (some of them continuing once I return, as well):
~ Monthly Diabetes Clinic (slowly I am working with the involved parties to help it run more efficiently)
~ Assisting BFF with various projects that they want to carry out in the community, surrounding family planning and orphans' and widows' rights
~ A 1 week camp (in mid-June) with the other Northwest volunteers at an orphanage, touching upon health topics, sports, dance, arts & crafts, computer science, and agroforestry/farming topics
~ Weekly nutrition office hours (10 am - 2pm on Tuesdays) at the Fundong District Hospital which has not caught on so well and feels like a waste of my time (but I keep telling myself...patience, patience and how else can I go about making this better)
~ Choose A Future course for adolescent girls aged 12-20 years, which will be both leadership and empowerment focused, that I am hoping to begin this Thursday, for each Monday and Thursday until I leave for the US. Unfortunately though, the principals of whom I've asked to select the students and write them recommendations have failed to budge and I'm frustrated as to how to proceed...
I'm hoping this is only a fleeting period of feeling frustrated and that things fall into place.
Hoping all is well with you! Keep in touch, give me an update, and take care!
Until next time,
Stef
For starters, welcome to my home in Teacher's Quarter within Chaikain's compound. The first two photos are a sampling of the intensity of the rains during rainy season, a view from the front door and a view from the back door.
The next series of photos are the interior of my house!
The last two photos are my section of house from the driveway and then the entire structure with my Francophone neighbors' digs on the right.
Is it what you thought? It's no mud hut in the middle of nowhere, I'll tell you that, and you've seen for yourself. There is electricity (locally known as "current") and running water 95% of the time. It's more than I deem necessary for this experience, but am at least glad that I had more of a "village experience" during my training. Although I'm loving having internet and being able to watch tv shows or movies at night, I think I'd prefer running water to electricity. Then again, not having running water really allows for water conservation more than anything. I've learned, now that's it is rainy season, to use the rain water to clean my floors, my clothes, and occasionally my dishes and have been a conservationist when it comes to taking my showers. I only allow the water to run to wet my hair and my body and then to wash the soap off.
In closing, work has been a bit frustrating lately, the first time over the past almost 6 months at post. I was trying to secure the following "projects" until leaving for the US (some of them continuing once I return, as well):
~ Monthly Diabetes Clinic (slowly I am working with the involved parties to help it run more efficiently)
~ Assisting BFF with various projects that they want to carry out in the community, surrounding family planning and orphans' and widows' rights
~ A 1 week camp (in mid-June) with the other Northwest volunteers at an orphanage, touching upon health topics, sports, dance, arts & crafts, computer science, and agroforestry/farming topics
~ Weekly nutrition office hours (10 am - 2pm on Tuesdays) at the Fundong District Hospital which has not caught on so well and feels like a waste of my time (but I keep telling myself...patience, patience and how else can I go about making this better)
~ Choose A Future course for adolescent girls aged 12-20 years, which will be both leadership and empowerment focused, that I am hoping to begin this Thursday, for each Monday and Thursday until I leave for the US. Unfortunately though, the principals of whom I've asked to select the students and write them recommendations have failed to budge and I'm frustrated as to how to proceed...
I'm hoping this is only a fleeting period of feeling frustrated and that things fall into place.
Hoping all is well with you! Keep in touch, give me an update, and take care!
Until next time,
Stef
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