Camp Conclusion 2009. Phew.

Combine 35 rambunctious teenagers, 5 Peace Corps Volunteers, limited resources and many, many (mostly appropriate) health questions, and you get Camp NJAMU JAM 2009! In Other words, Ali’s health camp extravaganza number II. I’m just glad it’s over. I am very gleeful that: 1.no one got hurt 2. No one went hungry 3. Only 2 of 35 kids didn’t finish due to misbehavior 4. I was able to convince 5 of my PC friends to come help me. If they wouldn’t of come to the camp it would have been more hectic and less fun for me.
If I could find some job in the future where I have as entertained and feel like what I was doing was as worthwhile as running a health camp for teens, I may try. (Note: I’m sure if I would have written this blog immediately after a 9 hour camp day, probably wouldn’t be as optimistic). I couldn’t have asked for a more manageable, disciplined group of 35 teens. The camp was a diverse hodgepodge of health topics, sports, team building activities, and art. The health topics included; nutrition, water importance, Malaria, gender roles, male/female relationships, HIV/AIDS, money management, school importance, and sexual health. The sexual health topic always provokes questions or embarrassment by the kids. In a culture where sexual decisions are generally 100% made by the males, just getting an open dialogue about importance of pleasing your wife and letting her make family planning decisions was intriguing; i.e. not forcing her to do anything against her will.
We did small and large group discussions, many, many long-winded and confusing sketches were performed, art contests were held, and some of my Cameroonian counterparts came to talk about health odds and ends. I tried to incorporate American learning techniques; i.e. anything other than rote memorization and very, very strict disciplinarian tactics, (Cameroonian styles) during the camp. Most of the kids have never gotten opportunities to be creative and draw, play sports between guys and girls, and do fun games. Teaching “Simon Says” to 19 year olds was a memorable experience. It went over well.
The apex of the camp was the Celebratory Ceremony on the last day. Not only was it held in the new, American funded Community and Women’s Center, but the turn out to watch the kids was fantastic. The room was full of Men; nearly 70 came to watch the hurrah, most did not know French. (I’m working on Women’s Involvement in the community…slowly but surely the women will come to community events). What was touching was the fact that the men came to watch their kids perform skits and dialogues that ridiculed their traditional cultural practices and tried to show the benefits of new behavioral and lifestyle changes. For instance, the kids showed their 70 year old fathers, many who have nearly 20 children themselves, the importance of family planning. It made me smile. They also showed the benefits of saving money. In Tournignal many people save money by “hiding” it under their pillows or mattresses. In this certain skit, a kid peed on his mother’s mattress and the mother then threw out the mattress, not knowing there was money underneath that was previously hidden by the father of the household. It got a laugh from the audience.
Granted the camp gives the children an outlet to express themselves and show off their versatile talents, whether it is sports or theater. However, to know that these kids do not have any other opportunities to practice these talents outside of my camp is hard. Whereas in America oftentimes kids with talents or interests can pursue them in extracurricular settings, in a small African village, no other venues exist. I guess something is better than nothing.
Besides the end ofcamp, I’m getting ready for an American friend to come visit me in Cameroon and for the large, much anticipated, official Opening of the Community Center. Villagers have brought together over 200,000 CFA or 400 dollars to help pay for the festivities--a large amount. An El Haji in village is donating a cow, worth nearly 1,000 dollars. All in all, it should be a gallant affair; but quite stressful for me, knowing that the huge fanfare of the fete is to show us, Americans their thanks. I just hope they do not overdue themselves. Any Americans who may find themselves in the vicinities of Tourningal on June 27th are more than welcome to attend the opening. The more the merrier.
Summer is now upon the US. I hope everyone who is reading this has relaxing, fun-filled summer plans. I know I am anticipating my older sister’s wedding in August and wish I could be around for more of the preparation. I am just trying to keep myself ensconced in work and my friends in Cameroon, otherwise it would definitely be hard to get through these next few months. Much love and Peace, Ali