Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Diseased.
I have typhoid. TYPHOID. Think Oregon Trail diseases: cholera, dysentery...and TYPHOID. Think preventable disease. It's disgusting and ridiculously funny at the same time. I'll blog more about this later...but I'm retching in pain right now (no, not really. Just laugh).
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Halfway Mark
Friends, I promise I will post pictures soon on Facebook. I have not taken many pictures yet because I have been cautious not to flash my electronics around. But I will make sure you get to see the life I am living as a trainee. We are halfway through with training and will finish August 18. Only one more month and we swear in as official volunteers!
Last week we went on our site visits to see our posts and to get a glimpse of my life over the next two years. Bamenda is wonderful. It’s the regional capital of the Northwest Province and the largest Anglophone city in Cameroon with a population of 235,000. According to my tour book, this province is what you would consider “African” with secret societies, traditional chiefdoms (called fons), carved masks, etc. The road from Yaounde (and Bafia) to Bamenda is a direct, paved road (you Americans had better appreciate the ease and efficiency of paved roads…I’ll go into detail about the Ring Road later, which is the path from Bamenda to the town Kumbo) and is about 5-6 hours away. The weather is dry and slightly cooler than Los Angeles…60s to upper 70s with sun that kisses your skin but does not make you perspire. No more humidity for me! The lush is savannah and abundant eucalyptus trees…AND I can see a petite waterfall from my apartment balcony.
The city is definitely bustling with activity with stores, markets, internet cafes – you name it and Bamenda has it (relative to towns in third world nations, of course). Oh, it even has beautiful hotels (international quality) with swimming pools! You can even find gourmet pizza, cheeseburgers, and Dr. Pepper. I definitely did not expect this when I signed up for the Peace Corps, but obviously the world has changed in today’s ubiquitous world of technology and globalization. Did I mention I’ll also be getting wifi? Once I arrive at post, I’ll be able to Skype and gchat with you guys.
It is also a very interesting time to live in Bamenda. Let me first provide a (very) brief background of Cameroon. The country is divided into ten provinces: The Extreme North (desert, Muslim/Christian/animist), North (Muslim-ish), South (rainforest), East (rainforest), Centre (the capital Yaounde and Bafia are here), Littoral (the country’s largest and economic city Douala is here), West, Southwest (the beach and volcano are here), and Northwest (Bamenda). After Germany gave up Cameroon after WWI, France and England divided up land. Cameroon gained independence in 1960 with a democratic form of government. Today, the majority of Cameroon is Francophone with Anglophones as the minority in the Northwest and Southwest provinces. There exists a divide between the Francophones and Anglophones, as the latter feel marginalized and do not believe the president represents their best interests. This sentiment is very strong to the point where the Anglophones want independence from Francophone. When President Paul Biya, who has been ruling since 1982, was forced to legalize opposition parties in 1991, the Social Democratic Front (SDF) formed in Bamenda. The 1992 election renewed Biya’s presidency, denying the SDF an Anglophone president amid claims of voter rigging and intimidation. In conversing with Anglophones in Bamenda and my Francophone host family here in Bafia, it seems both sides are passionate about their politics. We will see how these sentiments will pan out in next year’s elections, with Biya running for another seven-year presidential term. I hope for peaceful results, especially in a hotbed city like Bamenda.
To provide you with a sense of Cameroon’s standard of living, the currency here is the Central African franc (CFA). While the exchange rates vary daily, 500 CFA is approximately $1. A cup of coffee costs between 150-200 CFA, three bananas cost 50 CFA, a meal costs 500-1,000 CFA, and a beer costs 500-600 CFA (the size of drinks here are about half a liter, which is double the size of the beer in the United States). While these prices are more expensive in larger cities, everything is pretty affordable to say the least. I hope this helpsh put things into perspective.
Even though I have only been living in Cameroon for a short period of time, I already see the potential this country has to provide its people with an enjoyable standard of living. However, corruption is real and blatant in Africa. I believe that problems can only be solved with good leadership and good governance – starting from the very top, n’est pas?
Last week we went on our site visits to see our posts and to get a glimpse of my life over the next two years. Bamenda is wonderful. It’s the regional capital of the Northwest Province and the largest Anglophone city in Cameroon with a population of 235,000. According to my tour book, this province is what you would consider “African” with secret societies, traditional chiefdoms (called fons), carved masks, etc. The road from Yaounde (and Bafia) to Bamenda is a direct, paved road (you Americans had better appreciate the ease and efficiency of paved roads…I’ll go into detail about the Ring Road later, which is the path from Bamenda to the town Kumbo) and is about 5-6 hours away. The weather is dry and slightly cooler than Los Angeles…60s to upper 70s with sun that kisses your skin but does not make you perspire. No more humidity for me! The lush is savannah and abundant eucalyptus trees…AND I can see a petite waterfall from my apartment balcony.
The city is definitely bustling with activity with stores, markets, internet cafes – you name it and Bamenda has it (relative to towns in third world nations, of course). Oh, it even has beautiful hotels (international quality) with swimming pools! You can even find gourmet pizza, cheeseburgers, and Dr. Pepper. I definitely did not expect this when I signed up for the Peace Corps, but obviously the world has changed in today’s ubiquitous world of technology and globalization. Did I mention I’ll also be getting wifi? Once I arrive at post, I’ll be able to Skype and gchat with you guys.
It is also a very interesting time to live in Bamenda. Let me first provide a (very) brief background of Cameroon. The country is divided into ten provinces: The Extreme North (desert, Muslim/Christian/animist), North (Muslim-ish), South (rainforest), East (rainforest), Centre (the capital Yaounde and Bafia are here), Littoral (the country’s largest and economic city Douala is here), West, Southwest (the beach and volcano are here), and Northwest (Bamenda). After Germany gave up Cameroon after WWI, France and England divided up land. Cameroon gained independence in 1960 with a democratic form of government. Today, the majority of Cameroon is Francophone with Anglophones as the minority in the Northwest and Southwest provinces. There exists a divide between the Francophones and Anglophones, as the latter feel marginalized and do not believe the president represents their best interests. This sentiment is very strong to the point where the Anglophones want independence from Francophone. When President Paul Biya, who has been ruling since 1982, was forced to legalize opposition parties in 1991, the Social Democratic Front (SDF) formed in Bamenda. The 1992 election renewed Biya’s presidency, denying the SDF an Anglophone president amid claims of voter rigging and intimidation. In conversing with Anglophones in Bamenda and my Francophone host family here in Bafia, it seems both sides are passionate about their politics. We will see how these sentiments will pan out in next year’s elections, with Biya running for another seven-year presidential term. I hope for peaceful results, especially in a hotbed city like Bamenda.
To provide you with a sense of Cameroon’s standard of living, the currency here is the Central African franc (CFA). While the exchange rates vary daily, 500 CFA is approximately $1. A cup of coffee costs between 150-200 CFA, three bananas cost 50 CFA, a meal costs 500-1,000 CFA, and a beer costs 500-600 CFA (the size of drinks here are about half a liter, which is double the size of the beer in the United States). While these prices are more expensive in larger cities, everything is pretty affordable to say the least. I hope this helpsh put things into perspective.
Even though I have only been living in Cameroon for a short period of time, I already see the potential this country has to provide its people with an enjoyable standard of living. However, corruption is real and blatant in Africa. I believe that problems can only be solved with good leadership and good governance – starting from the very top, n’est pas?
Saturday, July 3, 2010
One Month Mark!
Wow. I cannot believe I have been with the Peace Corps for one whole month. There is beaucoup de chose to talk about and I apologize for not blogging sooner. As trainees, or stagaires, we live by this rigid schedule where we attend French language, business, cross-cultural, and health classes Monday to Saturday. Yes, that’s six days a week. We are free on Sundays, but that’s the day for church and washing my clothes (which consists of bleaching the well water in my bucket before actually washing – it takes hours). Donc, I am chronically exhausted (pardon the habitual francanglais I’m starting to utilize).
I don’t believe I have mentioned much about Bafia. It’s a village of approximately 70,000 people and 1.5 hours from the capital Yaounde. The people here are super friendly – lots and lots of “bonjour” and “bonsoir” and “wy-em-bae” (the local Bassa phrase equivalent of bonjour) when walking down the roads. Many garcons will try to hit on the female stagaires and me by calling us “la blanche” (white) or making hissing and/or kissing noises. As a female, you quickly adapt by completely ignoring them. Bafia is famous for its DELICIOUS pineapples (in French “anana”), watermelon, papaya, coconut, and this super yummy fruit “coeur de col” (sp?). It’s a large fruit that tastes somewhat like lychee. I am in fruit heaven. My room and bathroom consist of screens on the windows as well as a mosquito net around my bed (almost looks like a canopy). I am realizing just how girly I am because of all the bugs I am scared of. For example, the cockroaches here are humongous and gross. I have seen a mouse run around the living room and small frogs jumping around the backyard. I don’t know why I have this unexplainable fear of cafas (cockroaches) but they really freak me out. I really wish I had Raid. I’ve decided to buy a kitten once I get to post so it can eat all the potential cafas and mice in my apartment.
Speaking of post, I learned on Thursday that my Peace Corps post will be in Bamenda, the regional capital of the Northwest Anglophone province! I will be consulting microfinance NGOs, teaching business classes, working with women and youth, promoting HIV/AIDS awareness, etc. I will be replacing another volunteer who is finishing her service in a few weeks. I am actually going on a site visit tomorrow for a week to check out Bamenda. So far, I hear it is extremely pretty with lots of greenery, waterfalls, carved masks, fon society(chief), great weather, etc. I will have my own apartment with *fingers crossed* electricity, cable, internet, running water, etc. I am super excited. This post is in the minority Anglophone area, so I will learn Pidgin English. While I don’t anticipate speaking much French, I will continue to study the language to become fluent. I think my French is slowly progressing with all of our training.
Cameroon itself is the most diverse country in Africa. In fact, it is frequently called “Africa in Miniature.” There are mountains, volcano (Mt. Cameroon), the beach in the West, rainforest in the East, and desert in the Extreme North. I feel super lucky to be here and cannot wait to travel. I just bought a Samuel Eto’o jersey, so I’ll be sporting that around soon (Cameroonians love their football even though we're out now).
As I mentioned before, I have had a couple of “I’m in Africa” moments. While Cameroon is blessed with abundant food, beautiful landscapes, and relative peace compared to its African neighbors, the country is plagued by corruption and disease. The rates of HIV/AIDS are rocket high (60% are positive in some provinces like mine) and the majority affected are the youth, ages 20-30. Also, my host sister just contracted malaria. She has high fevers, bad headaches, and chills. When she told me last night, I had to go into my room and meditate. It is mind-blowing knowing that these diseases are preventable but people like my sister are still suffering in the year 2010. These are monumental problems that prevent poverty alleviation. It is hard for an aspiring entrepreneur to create income-generating projects when he or she has to spend money to take care of ailing family members from disease.
Corruption is apparently a huge problem here and it will be interesting to follow the presidential election results next year. These matters are a grave reminder of the work that needs to be done as future Peace Corps volunteers.
Anyway, congrats on my friends affiliated with Peace Corps - Monique already in Costa Rica, Camille going to St. Vincent/Grenadines, and Chris going to Mexico! Love you all and hope all is well!
I don’t believe I have mentioned much about Bafia. It’s a village of approximately 70,000 people and 1.5 hours from the capital Yaounde. The people here are super friendly – lots and lots of “bonjour” and “bonsoir” and “wy-em-bae” (the local Bassa phrase equivalent of bonjour) when walking down the roads. Many garcons will try to hit on the female stagaires and me by calling us “la blanche” (white) or making hissing and/or kissing noises. As a female, you quickly adapt by completely ignoring them. Bafia is famous for its DELICIOUS pineapples (in French “anana”), watermelon, papaya, coconut, and this super yummy fruit “coeur de col” (sp?). It’s a large fruit that tastes somewhat like lychee. I am in fruit heaven. My room and bathroom consist of screens on the windows as well as a mosquito net around my bed (almost looks like a canopy). I am realizing just how girly I am because of all the bugs I am scared of. For example, the cockroaches here are humongous and gross. I have seen a mouse run around the living room and small frogs jumping around the backyard. I don’t know why I have this unexplainable fear of cafas (cockroaches) but they really freak me out. I really wish I had Raid. I’ve decided to buy a kitten once I get to post so it can eat all the potential cafas and mice in my apartment.
Speaking of post, I learned on Thursday that my Peace Corps post will be in Bamenda, the regional capital of the Northwest Anglophone province! I will be consulting microfinance NGOs, teaching business classes, working with women and youth, promoting HIV/AIDS awareness, etc. I will be replacing another volunteer who is finishing her service in a few weeks. I am actually going on a site visit tomorrow for a week to check out Bamenda. So far, I hear it is extremely pretty with lots of greenery, waterfalls, carved masks, fon society(chief), great weather, etc. I will have my own apartment with *fingers crossed* electricity, cable, internet, running water, etc. I am super excited. This post is in the minority Anglophone area, so I will learn Pidgin English. While I don’t anticipate speaking much French, I will continue to study the language to become fluent. I think my French is slowly progressing with all of our training.
Cameroon itself is the most diverse country in Africa. In fact, it is frequently called “Africa in Miniature.” There are mountains, volcano (Mt. Cameroon), the beach in the West, rainforest in the East, and desert in the Extreme North. I feel super lucky to be here and cannot wait to travel. I just bought a Samuel Eto’o jersey, so I’ll be sporting that around soon (Cameroonians love their football even though we're out now).
As I mentioned before, I have had a couple of “I’m in Africa” moments. While Cameroon is blessed with abundant food, beautiful landscapes, and relative peace compared to its African neighbors, the country is plagued by corruption and disease. The rates of HIV/AIDS are rocket high (60% are positive in some provinces like mine) and the majority affected are the youth, ages 20-30. Also, my host sister just contracted malaria. She has high fevers, bad headaches, and chills. When she told me last night, I had to go into my room and meditate. It is mind-blowing knowing that these diseases are preventable but people like my sister are still suffering in the year 2010. These are monumental problems that prevent poverty alleviation. It is hard for an aspiring entrepreneur to create income-generating projects when he or she has to spend money to take care of ailing family members from disease.
Corruption is apparently a huge problem here and it will be interesting to follow the presidential election results next year. These matters are a grave reminder of the work that needs to be done as future Peace Corps volunteers.
Anyway, congrats on my friends affiliated with Peace Corps - Monique already in Costa Rica, Camille going to St. Vincent/Grenadines, and Chris going to Mexico! Love you all and hope all is well!
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