Sunday, July 12, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
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
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
Sunday, May 24, 2009
May
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
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
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