Comments from Bafoussam

The power is out in the town of Bafoussam (map) , where I am currently residing. Not a rarity, and it typically takes 15 minutes for it to come back on. I have been surprisingly impressed with the progress Cameroon has made since 2004. It may sound trivial, but I am finding in markets things that, in 2004, were rare or only available in the capital (Yaoundé)—lettuce/salad stands to acceptable eating standards, milk, cheese, or dependable refrigeration, tampons (although very expensive), Sushi (now in Yaoundé), a city bus system (now in Yaoundé), a private free-market medical school, and Red Sox world series t-shirts. As for commerce, there is a new coffee company bringing competition to the previous monopoly. From a technological standpoint, there are three cell phone companies (up from two), two that offer Internet for a laptop through your cell phone. These programs are expensive, (12 dollars a day or cheaper monthly programs) however, they do show progress. Twice today I saw internet being used in private business.

I have been living at the home of Peace Corps Volunteer Lee Allen (Sewanee Graduate 2005), who has aided in my progress in developing a business curriculum. I have decided to teach a business class focusing on entrepreneurial and management skills for women. Class examples include basic accounting, inventory management, leadership, marketing, and goal setting. The program is structured to have up to 30 students. There will be two classes a week, each for two hours (taught in French, with a Fulfulde translator). I am hopeful that by the end I will have a couple students who excel to the potential that I can collaborate with them to start a business using a loan system facilitated by Breaking Ground. A small fee will be mandatory for the class in order to denote a level of seriousness and pay for copies, the translator, and a membership to the Research Center that Dr. Taguem Fah operates. Another idea is to have an English language class for public school teachers. Both programs will not come to fruition until I perform further research in N'gaoundere. I am also working on an orientation packet for Breaking Ground "Ground Coordinators." I am surveying English teachers, agriculture workers, business personnel, as well as other professions to give outlines of lectures and ideas for future GC's. As I study Cameroon, I learn more about different elements of life where Breaking Ground has the potential to be a successful catalyst for positive change.

I have decided to spend more time in Bafoussam (in the Western province) getting oriented and planning my work because Ramadan began today. In N'gaoundere, a predominantly Muslim city, it is nearly impossible to start new programs when the population is generally tired and hungry for most of the day. It is also the heart of the rainy season. Rain here is like nothing I have ever seen before. When it rains, a bucket can be filled and over-flowing in less than an hour. If you do not have a coat or umbrella, plan to camp in a store, restaurant, or street shack for any inexplicable amount of time. When in doubt, RUN home. This means that the roads become one big mud hole and travel slows down at a rapid pace. I had not experienced Cameroon in a full-on rainy season, and I am very appreciative for it. I think it is fun and adds a new element of excitement.

I have also found my niche in sports. I played basketball with a group of elder Cameroonian men. I took a charge at the top of the key, and later made a three point shot. They asked me to return next week. You earn respect where you can.

Life's good,

Sarah