You know you have been in Cameroon too long when you start to not want to leave your 1,000 person “fish-bowl” of an isolated village, because you are too fed up with the roads and simply want to make it out alive for the next 7 months you have remaining. That’s me. There are two memorable voyages thus far this rainy season. First, my car flipping over when the driver fell asleep on the dangerous Adamoua roads and fearing being stuck in brousse (thank God no one was hurt, miraculously). Second, going a speedy 15 miles an hour during a thunder storm and making it back to my village, from where the mayor of the area is posted, an efficient 5 hours after the departure….
Sometimes it’s just not worth it to travel, or leave your post to go work in needy villages. But luckily due to the sub-par roads with the start of the rainy season, I have been busy in post. Notably the community center is now finished! A grand MERCI BEAUCOUP to everyone who helped me out with the project. Daily villagers thank me. It is officially the prettiest building between Ngaoundere (the capitol of the province) and Belel (where the mayor is) 120 km. away. The building is graced in my favorite color, green. Preparations are already in gear for the mega Opening Ceremony in late June. Women’s groups are already meeting in the space and future seminars; cultural and relating to health, have reserved the space in months to come. I’m just glad the building is over. I can proudly say that I know the price of every tidbit of a material that goes into a Cameroonian construction project and my construction French lingo has skyrocketed. I vetoed the some of the villagers plans: to put a picture of me forever in the building and to name the building “the cradle (berceau) of the community,” deciding that was a bit too formal.
In addition to the community center, I am in the planning stages of Camp Njamu Jam part II; in other words, my makeshift health/living skills/sports camp. This year should be better, for I will of hopefully learned from the mistakes of last year. However, the empathy in me, could not decline the participation of certain kids, for I knew this may be their last opportunity to attend; so, this year will have nearly 40 kids under my guidance and patrol compared to last years 30. (Sure, some of the kids may of just wanted the T-shirt, but at least they wrote really good applications and seem genuine). I may have an anxiety attack during the week, but will make sure to increase my yoga-pilates regime during the camp to deal with the stress. I also choose 5 kids as leaders or counselors and prior to the camp will do in-depth training so they can learn the ins and outs of the activities and perhaps do a similar event sans moi. To meet and train with a dynamic, excited, energetic, hard-working group of young adults is an awesome feeling. Let’s all hope Camp Njamu Jam Part II goes well.
Another work related activity up my sleeve for the next few months is soy animations and information sessions—year number two. Since malnutrition is a severe problem and protein is scarce, trying to inculcate the importance of this little bean.
Well, that’s about it work wise. Cameroon’s 4th of July, or May 20th just passed. Watching school after school of kids marching in their desynchronized fashion is always a joy, or a laugh. Hope this finds everyone in a healthy and healthy state, preparing for the playful, sunny time that is America’s summer.
Much peace,
Ali
