Worky Work

Hey everyone,


Sorry for not blogging sooner. I’ve been spending the past month or so settling into my city Bamenda. Things have been going well…just getting to know my way around town. I am finally settled into my apartment for the most part (just need to put up decorations on my walls). So far, I have decided not to invest in a TV and fridge…I already stay home too much because of my internet key. Who knows if I’ll change my mind.

I have also hit the ground running with work. I am an NGO consultant with a nonprofit called Microenterprise Development Consultants (MICROEDEC), which is my host institution I am paired to work with. It serves as a business resource center for current and aspiring entrepreneurs. My main role is to provide organizational development to ensure operations and programs run smoothly. We have just finished teaching business classes to 11 students, who are managers, workers, teachers in the agriculture, electronics, technology, education fields. Our next set of classes will begin in two weeks and we’re currently working on hiring and training business consultants to add to the staff here. Talk about putting my MPA to use. =)

I also participated as a guest speaker last week on a radio show (my very first time on the air), called “100% Jeune,” devoted to promoting life skills to Cameroonian youth to prevent and raise awareness on the spread of HIV/AIDS. My topic that night was on general etiquette…totally fun and nerve-wracking. I grew up wanting to be a journalist, so this was a pretty cool experience.

There are a slew of NGOs in town that I would also like to greet and potentially consult, and I am spending these first few months getting to know everyone and assimilating. I’m thinking about projects related to agrobusiness, fair trade, ecotourism, environmental education, etc. but that’s just me being all over the place.

I must note that this was probably not the Peace Corps experience I had imagined. As a Small Enterprise Development volunteer, I did not think I would constantly lack electricity and be placed in a completely rural village – but I have been surprised at my amenities and opportunity to network with volunteers from around the world (VSOs). I really do believe this is the best place to live and work in Cameroon and I’m not saying this with a biased viewpoint. Oh, and the nightlife here is pretty awesome.

Countdown to my 26th birthday in Africa…in two weeks!