Kmer Thoughts, Reflections and Experiences

Africa : Young, Beautiful & Pregnant with Opportunities

2012-01-28T11:08:00.000-08:00

source : http://beautiallaroundus.tumblr.com/

L'Urgence de la Pensée _ Pr Maurice Kamto (1991)

2012-01-27T02:00:00.000-08:00

"L'absence de la pensée ou plus exactement d'une pensée libérée est la cause premiere de notre dérive collective."

…..................

C'est en Aout 2007, à la fin de ma 2ème année à l'université, et de retour au Cameroun pour les vacances, qu'un jour en fouillant la bibliothèque de la maison, je tombe sur cet œuvre qui m'interpelle par son titre : l'Urgence de la Pensée! Cet après-midi là j'ai commencé à lire ce livre du Pr Maurice Kamto, et je ne l'ai que fermé 3 jours après.

Ce livre m'a interpelé en tant que jeune camerounaise, et jeune africaine, a pensée au développement de notre nation. C'est ce livre qui a inspiré ma thèse de fin d'année à Hopkins: Pensée le développement Africain (avons nous pensée à notre modèle de développement véritable? sans toute fois faire du copié-collé de l'occident?). C'est également les germes que ce livre à semé en moi, qui m'a poussé à structurer mon ONG Harambe-Cameroon, autour de la pensée: si on inspire et stimule la jeunesse camerounaise à penser au développement de notre pays, par des propositions de solutions a nos problèmes, nous pourrons atteindre un objectif et un niveau de progrès, beaucoup plus haut que notre position actuelle. Car, comme le Professeur Maurice Kamto le dit si bien dans son ouvrage, il y' a urgence de la pensée par ce que TOUT est à pensée, mais rien est encore pensée.

Alors, je voudrais partager avec vous des extraits du livre, que j'avais noté il y a quelques années, pour vous donner une idée du contenu puissant de cet ouvrage, et vous inciter à l'acheter.

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"Bien pensée en afrique c'est savoir couler ses élucubrations dans le moule du discours officiel." p.14

"notre plus grand triomphe est d'avoir su bâtir une civilisation de l'immédiat et du provisoire." p.15

"Comment expliquer que tant d'aides déversées sur nos terre depuis une trentaine d'années n'aient pu servir d'humus à notre développement?" p.15

- En définitif, la survie d'une civilisation dépend... de sa capacité à se renouveler par la pensée.

- La pensée est, partout et toujours, le moteur de la dialectique sociale, ainsi que le levier et le levain de la démocratie.

"Tout progrès commence par une abolition, toute réforme s'appuie sur la dénonciation d'un abus, toute idée nouvelle repose sur l'insuffisance démontreée de l'ancienne." - Pierre Joseph Proudhon

.... Je prétends des lors que le désert de la pensée qui gagne l’Afrique singulierement depuis les indépendances, est la cause essentielle de la déliquescence de ses cultures, de la ruine de ses civilisations, de son enlisement matériel. Plus qu’une urgence d’aide financière, il y a, pour ce continent sinistre, urgence de pensée, par ce quelle seule peut accomplir l’indispensable révolution des esprits et libérer le génie embastillé de nos peuples. (p.18)

… La prouesse prodigieuse de l’état africain postcolonial, c’est d’avoir pu faire regretter la période coloniale. Tragique performance qui nous réduit à rêver nostalgiquement d’une ère que nous vomissions hier a pleine gorge.

Sais-t-on le prix des colères contenues, des cris ravalées, et des humiliations tués? Sait-on ce qu’il en coute d’assister au spectacle poignant de l’effondrement de son pays sans pouvoir susurrer même ce que l’on en pense.

"Si la réligion est, comme l'a prétendu Marx, l'opium du peuple, alors le parti unique est la cocaine des nations. Avec la particularité qu'il tue sans overdose." p.25

- Victime de a bêtise... le peuple ...se grise de la drogue dure des slogans politiques, il se nourrit des mots.

On ne peut avoir une saisie parfaite de la capacité destructrice de tels régimes, du tort qu’ils ont faits à l’intelligence, des dommages qu’ils ont causes à la pensée. 25

Il faut s’abstenir au nom d’une morale de la nécessité, comme s’il y avait plus nécessaire a l’existence que la pensée. 29

Ce qui heurte en Afrique ce n’est pas le tiraillement de l’intellectuel entre le travail de l’esprit et l’attention qu’il porte a sa condition existentielle ; ce n’est pas l’affrontement entre le générique et le génétique. C’est le parti pris (définitif ?) pour la quotidienneté ; c’est le triomphe (irréversible ?) du sens de l’esprit ; c’est l’absence de mise en perspective. Si nous en avions je dirais que nous ne vivons que de pain. Mais en fait nous ne vivons de rien. Nous vivons de manque et nous rêvons (tous ?) d’avoir le plus possible. Toujours plus et a n’importe quel prix. 32

Mais Socrate nous met en garde : « Je vous dis que ce n’est pas de la fortune que nait le vrai mérite, mais que c’est le vrai mérite qui fait bonnes les fortunes. »32

Penser et Dire (p.36)

- La parole est manifestation de la pensée.

- La parole a une fonction de déchaînement

- Par elle la pensée est publicitaire et libératrice…

- A travers la parole la pensée noue l’existence a l’essence.37

- Elle nous délivre de nous même et de la dictature de l’Autre

- Elle nous délivre du silence, parce que le silence est carcérale et mortifère, vecteur de la mort lente de l’homme en désespoir et ne pouvoir dire.

La rationalité de la pensée doit se prolonge par la passion de la volonté. 45

"Il n y a pas de précédent historique d'une bureaucracie aussi antinationale, aussi cynique, aussi indifférente à la misère, qu'elle a fait germer alentour"

- Nos héros des indépendances et nos martyrs de la liberté et de la démocratie hantent nos nuits blanches et demandent justice à l'histoire.

- Perdre le sens du vrai au profit de l'illusion permanente.

L’erreur fatale des dirigeants de nos sociétés transitionnelles, c’est de croire que l’action doit emporter sur la réflexion… or, si l’action est, comme‘on dit, accoucheuse d’histoire, elle ne l’est que dans l’exacte mesure ou elle est pensée, sinon elle reste un fait divers. Elle ne saurait s’exécuter efficacement dans l’aveuglement de la nuit de l’esprit.45

Et voici qu’au complexe de la race s’ajoute le complexe de l’abandon, révélateur affligeante du stigmate la plus terrible et le plus durable de la colonisation : L’Infantilisation, d’un père tutélaire qui veille, régente, apprécie, note, mais qui rassure par ce qu’il secoure…

La Démocratie: prostituée des temps modernes... dévoyée, malmenée , violée sans remords... dans la plupart des pays, on emprisonne, on bannit, on tue en son nom.

... elle est sursaut du pluriel contre l'irresistible tentation de l'un.
Le Débat: Considérer les idées d'en face et les nôtres comme des vues relatives et partielles.

...Etre démocrate en définitive, c'est ... non seulement accepter les opinions divergentes, mais admettre que ce sont peut-etre vos adversaires qui ont raison.

- Les parties prenantes au pillage de la nation , pensent : "que vienne l'Apocalypse plutôt que de perdre le pouvoir"

"Le plus dur reste à faire : prendre toutes ces Bastilles qui peuplent nos têtes, car nous n'avons cessé d'être les fossoyeurs de nos propres espérances.

Ce qui désespère c'est L'inconsistance de nos convictions démocratiques, la légèreté de notre engagement pour la cause de la démocratie.

Cet attentisme calculateur de quelques uns.
Ce ponce-pilatisme paresseux et révoltant de quelques autres.
Ce qui faut vaincre c'est La peur, c’est cette incroyable torpeur, qui en chacun de nous fait barrage a la démocratie.

Ce qui urge c'est Le démentellement des structures mentales de résignation... "de démonter un à un ... les mécanismes subtils de psychologie collective par lesquels tout un peuple intériorise progressivement les valeurs mêmes qui l'oppriment." - Paulin J. Houtondji

Nous avons besoin d'une dépollution des esprits, d'une purification morale.

Il y a urgence de la pensée par ce que rien n'est encore pensée, alors que tout est à penser.

January Newsletter - Harambe Cameroon - Social Entrepreneurship Program

2012-01-18T10:51:00.000-08:00

.
Dear Harambe-Cameroon friends, collaborators and Partners,

Happy New year 2012!

We would like to follow-up with you on how Harambe-Cameroon is transforming our mission “to inspire and engage a new generation of leaders and entrepreneurs, who see problems as opportunities in need of solution” into concrete actions on the ground, with the 5 points here below, explained with photos and videos:

Following the 1st edition of the National Harambe Problem-Solvers’ Competition, on July 28^th, 2011 at the Solomon Tandeng Muna (S.T.M.F) ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjMs2boE-HM&feature=player_embedded

Which engaged thousands of students from University of Yaounde I (Polytechnic) , University of Douala (ESSEC) , Université des Montagnes (UdM), University of Buea, University of Yaounde II (Soa) _ [A Recap of some of the projects proposed in last year’s competition: In pictures / Their 90seconds-to-convince YouPitch ] and which was highly mediatized on the top-TV channels in Cameroon (watch Interview on Canal2 here)

1. One of our contestants, Alain Rodrigue Ngonde, won the 2011 National Business Plan Competition, organized by the Ministry of Small and Medium Size enterprises.

He proposed an environmental solution to the problem of Plastic-waste around our urban areas: Melting plastic waste, mixing with sand, to create : 1. Road-bricks, 2. granules 3. Plastic tiles

We are coaching him in the implementation of his social business idea: Transforming our plastic-waste problem, into an industrial company that would produce Road-bricks with Plastic waste + sand. It’s environmentally friendly, while solving a local problem.

N.B: The Ministry of Small and Medium–sized Enterprises equally recognized Harambe-Cameroon as one of its 7 Business Incubators in Cameroon.

___________________________________________________________

2. In December 2011, we hosted a Power Hour (networking session) with Ismael Nzouetom – a young Cameroonian ranked amongst the top-13 entrepreneurs in France under 30, with his company I-dispo which he created in 2010 with $10 000, today is worth millions of euros. ( http://my.i-dispo.com/ )

In collaboration with ACTIVSpaces, we brought together about 30 young professional and dynamic students to network, exchange and get inspired by Ismael Nzouetom’s success story.

In Douala (Wednesday, Dec. 21st) at Akwa Palace

In Yaounde (Thursday, Dec. 22nd ) at Concordia Lounge

Read more about him here : and watch the videos (most in French) some in English. http://www.harambecameroon.org/2011/12/power-hour-with-ismael-nzouetom-by.html

____________________________________________________________________

3. On December 29^th, Harambe-Cameroon was one of the 15 youth-NGOs in Cameroon invited to meet and discuss with the Minister of Youth, on the national policy for Youths. This event was hosted by and at the National Youth Council of Cameroon.

For more info : http://www.harambecameroon.org/2012/01/meeting-minister-of-youth-of-cameroon.html

__________________________________________________________

4. We launched the Competition 2012 with Information Sessions to be held in 15 Universities in : Yaounde, Douala, Buea, Dchang, and Bagangte. Click to view photos of previous info sessions in the previous years at UdM, UCAC, NdiSamba Superieur.

View below the information sessions held for the year 2012 :

At the Advanced School of Public works (ENSTP): Engaging Civil Engineers, Rural Engineers, Urban Engineers, in proposing business solutions to some of our local problems.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWKOJzTxgUE&feature=related

and

At the Sub-regional Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics (ISSEA) : Engaging Economists and statisticians in finding business solutions to solve local problems.

The APPLICATION FORM is available here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEdiTU9zbHhMTkczY1pEVS10ZU1CSHc6MA

____________________________________________________________

5. In March 2012, we will be launching the Problem-Solvers’ Challenge:

Private Comapanies, NGOs, Businesses, Govenrment agencies, and local communities, that are partnered with Harambe-Cameroon are given the opportunity to propose problems and challenges their institutions/community face, for HCam Problem-Solvers’ Clubs in 5 University hubs (Yaoundé, Douala, Bagangté, Buea, Dchang) to solve.

Every 2 weeks, this network of competent engineers, IT, Statisticians, and Business students, from some of the best institutions abroad and in the nation would solve challenges proposed by Harambe partners, and get rewarded for the best idea-solution. In addition to solving Companies’ challenges, the Problem-Solvers (Les Solutionneurs, in French) will be fact-finders, data-collector, mark-analyzers, and a dynamic talent pool of doers and solvers.

One example of the power of the Harambe-Cameroon's network of students, is the way a group of 20 teams (100 students) increased our Facebook Fan base, from 600 fans to 3700 fans in the period of 3 weeks. Today, with 3820 Fans, Harambe-Cameroon can instantaneously reachout to thousands of youths, and engage many more to propose solutions to our various problems.

____________________________________________________________

Conclusion :

Our Plan of Action and Vision 2012 is explained in this video.

We hope to count you once more in 2012 amongst our valued supporters and partners.

All our efforts are only possible with institutional support, strategic partnerships, but most importantly financial investment.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information, Inquiries, suggestions, or to explore possibilities of collaboration.

As always, please help us spread the word.

Help us spread the word by doing the following, amongst other things:

1. FWD this message to your networks,

2. Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Harambe.Cameroon.Page

3. Follow us on Twitter ( @HarambeCameroon )

http://twitter.com/harambecameroon

On behalf of the Harambe-Cameroon Alliance, and of the youths of our nation, I thank you for your time and consideration,

Harambe on!

- Olivia Mukam

Olivia Mukam
Johns Hopkins '09 Alumni
Founder/President, Harambe Cameroon
Consultant, Business Development and Investment

Event Planner / Public Relations

Tel: XXX XXX XXX

www.harambecameroon.org

www.healliance.org

oliviamukam.blogspot.com

"Life is 1% what happens to you and 99% how you respond to it." #Takeresponsibility

"You are judged not by what you have, but by what you DO with what you have." - Anonymous

‎"Until you have done something for humanity, you should be ashamed to die." - Horace Mann

Harambe Cameroon engages young Cameroonians to "Think Innovatively, Act Locally &Connect Globally."Through its Business Plan Competition process, young Social Entrepreneurs propose business ideas to solve local problems.The best team wins Startup seedcapital. Harambe-Cameroon’s mission is "to inspire a new generation of young leaders and entrepreneurs who see problems as opportunities in need of solutions"

(Legal ID: N° 001829/ADR/JO6/APPA) www.harambecameroon.org

ONE 2012 resolution: CONSISTENCY

2012-01-04T11:51:00.000-08:00

ONE 2012 resolution: CONSISTENCY

in 3 things

a. Working Out,

b. Studying ( GMAT, for 2 months, then getting ready for Business school),

c. Following_Up with peoples, ideas, commitments.

Harambe Cameroon : Vision 2012 + Plan of Action

2012-01-03T13:09:00.000-08:00

Impromptu interview on HCam's vision 2012,

at the Harambe Cameroon's office at Hajal Center, downtown Yaounde

D-Day - 11/11/11 (Bday Superlatives) #11ElevenLive

2011-11-12T07:39:00.001-08:00

Many people ask me why I get so hyped about my birthday, why I do a countdown 1month before (Oct. 11th) and why I celebrate it with so much enthusiasm? Many of them say their birthday comes and passes sometimes without a degree of celebration or even recognition. What's the big deal about a birthday anyways!?

I don't know if I can explain a logical reason why I look forward so much to my birthday, and enjoy the celebration of it... It's a feeling I have deep within that I can't explain. Perhaps if I tell you my dad called me 3 times on my birthday (plus wrote me a message), plus proposed that we do a family prayer-chain at 11:11am to strengthen the power of our wishes, you might just have an idea as to why my birthday is so special to me...

I was born this way!

Ever since my birth I've been celebrating my birthday significantly. My parents have always made it a special day (each one of our birthdays: sisters + brothers) in the house.

And today, many might still not understand the why? But even though many of my friend don't understand why I get so elated, they know it means a lot to me, and so they make the best of the day for me. Amadou said it yesterday: " My birthday comes and goes, without much happening", yet all day he tried to make my day special with his brother, mother, girlfriend, and other friends. My other best friend, Sarah in the US, knows too... and her entire family knows too, so they all wrote a message, shot a video, or called to wish me HBD.

To me, this is a powerful example of Love: Sometimes they might not understand or feel what I feel, but because they know it means a lot to me, they show up, and make me feel the love, care and attention. With these, you all are teaching me how to love others better. So I thank you all.

For 11/11/11 which was thrice special because it was the most awaited date of the year in the entire world, It was a Friday, and 3rdly, it was my Birthday.... I told my close friends to pass their messages in video formats. Many weren't able to do it, but those who did really warmed my heart! Thank you to all my video makers... Thank u.

Here's my video to launch the day...

For the rest of the day, you will understand it best through these Bday Superlatives I put together, cause the messages were so many, yet so distinct, interesting, and loveable in their own ways...

Last year I blogged more about the quantity of responses I received, this year I am touched by the quality of each message.

11/11/11 Birthday Superlatives!

First Phone call:

At midnight - My brother Krystian , called 10 minutes before my gurl Fady, from Morrocco. (But I was asleep, so I saw the missed calls in the morning. oups! )

First Text Message:

Felicité Djoukou - ma Feli Feli!

Wake up Call:
Amadou Diaw, at 4am. smh!

Shortest HBD Message:
A Kmer Tweep on Twitter. 2 letters (not even 3, lol. That was funny in its own way) : HB

Longest Birthday message :
Linda Vakunta .... cause she also spoke to me about Afroclectism? An interesting concept...

First "Wow" message :
Kedenard Raymond (in Montreal)... Yes, It's just the beginning gurl... Thank u.

Highest number of communication venue:
i.e. Email, Fb, Tweet, SMS, Phone call .... A good guy! :)

First video submission:
From a good guy too, I won't reveal the identity either.

Best video message (by none-family member):

Funniest Video message:

Philip Andely... il faut vraiment que cette année apporte le bon gars! hahah!

Highest number of Bday calls :

Daddy, lol. 3 times before mid-day. Checking up on me, and how things are evolving :) And a followup call today. Gotta love him!

Most surprising moment:

- My home boy's mom (tata Yacine) gave me a really pleasant gift! :)

- 2 phone calls by 2 people in Cameroon, I didn't expect will ever call me!

Funniest moment:

- After a very late lunch, my friends and I decided to take a nap... but we ended up chilling, and watching some of the funniest photos on fb. Lol-session.

Heartwarming International calls:
(Cuz I know buying a phone card and dialling that 00237 is not easy!)

- From Morocco (Fadiyaaa) Ma chérie coco

- From Holland (Winiiieeebooo) at 11:11am
- From Angola (The network didn't cooperate well,but thank u VJ!!),
- From Naija (Rotimiiiii... I'll make Abuja happen man)

- From the US (My bestest friends - Sarahchooouuu + Audreychoouuu + Zainaboooo + Adedayoboo - (My Koffi Anana) )
- From Spain (Cheskoooooooo :) )
- From South Africa ( Eseme, thank u!)

Best Birthday Present: A book, of course! "How to Change the World : Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas" by David Bornstein.

Most adorable family moment:

- My cousin in Bagangte, getting out of his class to call me at 11o'clock.
- My little brother in Douala giving me a ring around 7pm, but not knowing what else to say, but Happy Birthday! (then I was the one to make the convo, lol)
- My uncle in Douala trying his best to speak in English for 5minutes on the phone, to explain he didn't understand anything I said in my birthday video. lol

Most touching moment :

My friend who just lost his little brother 2 days ago (whom I knew, and who was 24yrs old too) called me at 6:00 am to wish me a great year, but mostly that God may keep using me as his instrument to impact lives. This touched me deeply, cuz at the moment I expected him to be weakest, and self-absorbed (understandably so) by grief, he looked beyond himself and was present. I must say the testimony of leadership and strength beyond all understanding, I have witness in him is impressive and inspiring.

Most elated moment:
Watching the videos made by my sister in Canada - Louna, for whom it was the first video-making of her life. lol.Still very well done:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGV6Qoc2hTY

And the one made by my sister in Paris, at the Arc of Triumph, with her husband (Enold Boireau) and a bunch of cool, sweet and crayzy gurls I don't know, but I love! :)

Most grateful moment:

At 5:30am, in my prayers, reflections and meditations on the years that past and what I wish for in the future.

Best best best moments:
I tried to work, but it was impossible... All day I was receiving (practically every 30 seconds) messages & phone calls... I enjoyed reading and responding each one of your messages of support, love, encouragement. Y'all are AMAYZINNNG!

See, that's another reason I love my bday so much, cuz I don't just receive 3 letters (HBD) or 2 words : Happy Birthday. Noh! People really bless me and wish me great things, and I'm so thankful for that. It's an abundance of Love I feel to the core of my bones and the depth of my heart. It really helps to refuel, re-energize, resource myself.

Plus, with the recent passing away of my friend's brother I re-realized the preciousness of life, and how we don't know when is the time, when will be our time to go... so while we are on this earth, I chose to make the best of every day, show up to life and live it fully.

Yes, Live Learn and Love out loud, that's my way to live Freely!!! The only way I want to live.

Thank you again and again, each single one of you, for your thoughts, wishes, words, love.

I love you all very dearly.

Bisous!

(Some photos of D-Day)

Singing Happy Birthday To You!

More Happy birthday to You!

One second, before blowing the candles, make a wish!

Making a wish..

Yes! I'm elated! But mostly, grateful!

On Tumblr now...

2011-11-07T16:40:00.000-08:00

Finally joined the Tumblr Community... Check it out:

http://oliviamukam.tumblr.com/

#50 - Freedom to me is Living, Learning, and Loving out Loud!

2011-10-17T04:29:00.000-07:00

One of the hardest things in life is having words in your

heart that you can’t utter. –James Earl Jones

“Know thyself” the Delphic oracle told the philosopher.

"Whoam I? asks the human being, the believer, the atheist, the

philosopheror the poet. All religions and all philosophies convey

the same truth:wherever you are, whatever your orginis, your

colour, or your socialstatus, your very humanity means that you

must become introspective –for a moment or for life."

(Tariq Ramadan - The Quest for Meaning - Back to the Self)

"J'en ai rêvé de ma maison avec vue sur la mer,

J'en ai rêvé tout comme toi tout comme nous

On a tous un air d'évasion dans le sang ou dans les veines "

- Evasion (Diam's) dans ma tête depuis le matin...

Onthe road again... Traveling is always great therapy to me. There's sthgabt moving forward that helps elevate and refresh my spirit! There issomething absolutely humbling, yet very empowering, aboutobserving, living & experiencing the unfolding of nature... Thehand of God at work...

"This above all; to thine own self be true and it must

follow, as the night the day,

Thou canst not then be false to any men."

William Shakespeare

God lies ‘between man and his heart’, says the Quran
(‘The Spoils, VIII 24)

All thepaths of life lead to the heart. They teach us to understand ourselves,our being, qualities and weaknesses in the light of our own aspiration,of others and the world.
(Tariq Ramadan - The Quest for Meaning

" Life without Introspection, Consciousness and Love, is worthless. It's barely existing, vs living to our full potential." - O.M

To me, Freedom is Living, Learning, and Loving Out Loud!

Keep Blessing, Keep giving, Keep Loving
- Olivia

#48 - FlashBack (2007) - Africa my Africa ( By a 19 Year Old)

2011-10-14T18:58:00.000-07:00

FlashBack (2007)

I wrote this note 4 years ago, as asophomore at JHU...I mentioned it'd be interesting to look back to it acouple of years later...

Of course, reading back, I wince my teeth at some of the little blunders Imade, or over-generalizations, and doses of naiveté - that 2 years experienceon the ground has made me aware of.

Still, despite the fact that back then I was barely 19 (with a less experiencedview of life), the bottom line message here is that each one must do somethingfor the development of our nation. We must transcend ourselves, and seek toserve and have an impact on our people's lives.

This letter was addressed to my counterparts/friends in the Diaspora,from middle-income/high-income backgrounds, calling them to action. Calling usall to use the blessings and opportunities bestowed upon us to help those lessfortunate.

At the end of the note, I opened the table to discussions, and remindedeveryone It'd be interesting to look back to it a couple of years later.Four years later, what are your thoughts?

Read on, and comment now...

_____________________________________

AFRICA MY AFRICA

by Olivia Sankara Mukam on Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 8:04am

Letter to the African Diaspora

There's a ubiquitous "Afro-pessimism" reigning amongst Africancommunities around the world. Africans justify their pessimism by saying: “thegovernment is corrupt”, “the system is rotten”, “we can’t change the way thingsare. It’s life, and life is not fair.” All these might be legitimate reasons,but to avert our eyes from the injustices our people are facing is to make usaccomplices to the system.

We are the African Diaspora. We all come from somewhat modest families, we havebeen brought up by (a) loving parent(s), in warm homes with three meals a day(plus snacks in between meals!); we were given an excellent education and wereingrained a solid sense of morality. We have been given all these gifts andblessings for FREE, so how shall we utilize them today?

There are two options: the first is to use those gifts solely for ourself-satisfaction i.e. live in an imaginary bubble, peaceful and pleasantlives, go shopping for Guccis and Praddas, try to impress our friends, live alife of inebriation and self-sufficiency. Or, the other option is to aim athelping people live at least half the way we did; not even, help them surviveon the daily basis with basic needs such as water, food, good health and ahome. And if we seriously cannot do that, we could just SPEAK about theirsufferings to others, who might be able to help them.

So, which option will you choose? Option 1 or option 2? Well, you actually haveanother option: to live a pleasant life while at the same time using yourtalents to help others. With all the opportunities and talents we have, we havea duty to help out, in whatever way we can, the wretched and theoppressed.

It is usually said “A single death is a tragedy; a million death is astatistic”. Right now we feel sorry for the thousands of people dying everydayof AIDS, wars, malnutrition, starvation, cholera, etc., and although they areour people, they are not “one of us.” They are not a friend, a sister, amother, a brother, a father, a cousin, or anyone we feel attached to. Becausewe feel detached to them, we rationalize their agony.

But this attitude of neglecting people’s misery and justifying it is dangerous…it’s the same attitude Europeans had towards slavery and the atrocities ofcolonialism, they rationalized it and averted their eyes from it, but then,like Aime Cesaire said, the boomerang effect came back to them in the form ofHitler and Mussolini.

So let me tell you a little bit about this great man called THOMAS SANKARA, thepresident of Burkina Faso from 1984 to 1987 (when he was assassinated by hisfriend Blaise Compaore, during a coup). If you don’t know him you should googlehis name and learn about him. He is one of the Fathers of Africa and should bea role model to us all. Sankara was a young man of integrity who unselfishlydevoted himself to his people and his nation.

He increased the level of literacy in his country; planted trees to decreasedeforestation in the Sahel region; advocated the nonproliferation of armsalthough he was a soldier; refused to pay his country’s debt to the Westbecause, as he explained, it’s the colonialists who indebted them in the firstplace. He advocated African Pride, African Authenticity; denounced thepreceding government’s corruption with his famous phrase “Malheurs a ceux quibaillonent leurs peuples”/ “Cursed be those who oppress the people.” He usedsimple and concrete methods to eradicate misery in his country and brought amoral dimension to the corrupted African politics. He ruled Burkina Faso foronly four years, but his legacy is still present and celebrated today. Hisintegrity, hard work and devotion to Africa should be an example for us tofollow.

You would say, “I am a college student, I can’t really do anything for Africaright now, but I’m planning to go back and help after I graduate and get somemoney.” Sure, we might not be able to remove the corrupt governments from ourbedroom desks or feed the poor from our mini-kitchens; but look around you,this is the U.S.A, the country of opportunities; opportunities increased tenfoldon college campuses. Look around you… there are international organizationsseeking for projects to conduct in Africa, seeking for a cause to advocate:Amnesty International, Engineers Without Borders, Doctors without Borders,African Student Associations, School Sponsored Researches, Book drives...

I’m sure you have been active in at least one of these organizations, andthat’s great because we need to plead the cause of Africa. Let the world knowabout the atrocities happening out there, bring light to the obscure crimeshappening in the continent, educate people, denounce corruption, childsoldiers, blood diamonds. The assailants can no longer have impunity for allthe harms they are causing; we got to Spread the Word.

I’m urging you to read about our great leaders, most of whom were alwaysportrayed by the West to be rebels or even terrorists, to name a few: ThomasSankara, Nkwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, Cheikh Anta Diop, Julius Nyere,Francis Lumumba, Ruben Um Nyobe, Felix Moumie, Leopold Senghor. All these namesyou know, yet know nothing about. Find some time and research on them: Readtheir biographies, listen to their speeches, because, trust me, the more welearn about our great leaders the more hope we have for our continent.

We need to feed ourselves with HOPE for Africa. Twenty years ago Sankara said“oser inventer l’avenir”/ “dare to invent the future”; today Obama is urging usto have “the audacity of hope”. All these messages of Hope are what will keepus moving forward.

Africa today is filled with debauched and mendacious leaders, but that’s notthe fate of our continent. We are not cursed, and misery is not an intrinsicvalue we possess. We, the younger generation must start, if we haven’t yet,envisioning Africa’s future, building Africa in our minds. Building theorphanages, hospitals, healthcare and houses, roads, stadiums, hotels, ... Juststart imagining it! How you are going to use your business skills orengineering techniques; how you will find the cure of AIDS or malaria; helpimprove technology and establish fast speed internet; how you will build theinfrastructure, educate the population, and use whatever skills you have tobuild a stable and peaceful Africa.
We are usually filled with a revolutionary boost after watching a dramaticmovie, or a vivid documentary, or a great presentation about Africa. Yet, theboost is so ephemeral, a couple of days later, we are back to our normal lives,like nothing happened. This has happened to me so many times, and so today Idecided to put it into words: my thoughts, my despair and my hope forAfrica.

I’m sharing it with you because I know we all care about our motherland; wesincerely want things to change, we can’t stand seeing people killing eachother, and forlorn children dying of hunger, anymore; we can’t tolerate themismanagement of our resources or witness the avaricious minority squandermoney while the rest of the population is drained in poverty… We are truly fedup!

So what should we do now? First: We must learn more about our continent, itshistory, its culture, its leaders and its socio-economic crisis; then we mustuse our talents and raise awareness in our various communities, because peopleneed to be told what's happening back there, and that we desperately need help.Finally: we must get rid of the "Afro-pessimism" we have towards thefuture of Africa, and have the audacity to HOPE... for a better future.

Thank you for your time,
Sincerely,
Olivia Mukam

*Please leave a comment and share your thoughts on what you hope for Africa andwhat you envision to do for Africa.

This will be a great forum to look back to a couple years from now.

* Link to Sankara’s speech at the AU summit in 1987. He was so ambitious,eloquent and candid:

http://www.dailymotion.com/visited/search/sankara/video/x17idb_discours-de-thomas-sankara-a-addis

#47 - Flashback (2007) - About Me - by my 19 years old Self

2011-10-14T17:06:00.000-07:00

(Flashback)

It's always interesting to look back at each point of our lives and observe our thoughts then, and observe our evolution.
I'm glad I wrote back then, 'cause today I can have a track record of my history and my self-discovery.

(As posted in my facebook notes)
_____________________________________________

ABOUT ME ....

by Olivia Sankara Mukam on Monday, February 5, 2007 at 3:42am

Ok, so here I am, It's Sunday night and I got 2 books to read by Tuesday,in just one of my classes... The reading is killng me softly, yet the more Iread the more I crave for more ... I just wish I had more time...

Yet with the little, tiny-bitty time I have, I just felt like writing, actuallyI first felt like reading Obama's speeches, which pushed me to write ... towrite about MOI:

I really enjoy meeting and interacting with people from myriad horizons... fromthe women back home in Cameroon, selling plantains on the streets, touniversity students, to high-ranked administrative people in the U.S or backhome. It's wonderful to get to know people from diverse backgrounds andlearning the most you can from people you cross paths with. In part, that'swhat Humanity is all about our consciousness and mindfulness of moments weshare with people, and the reflections we gain from it!

I admire Candor, Eloquence and Ambition.

I admire great speakers and great writers. I respect Intellectuals.

I have the utmost respect for Barack Obama because he encompasses all theabove: Candor, Eloquence and Ambition. (and he's so HOT! lol!)

I believe that in life you should always ask yourself "How can I beuseful?", "How can I use all the talents God gave me to the maximum,for the good of others?" 'cause I hope you have already realized at yourpresent age that "the world doesn't just revolve around you" and likeBarack Obama says: "It's only when you hitch your wagon to somethinglarger than yourself that you will realize your true potential."

I love variety and it's hard for me to stay in one place for too long. I gettired of places and faces very quickly. I hate monotony and routine, I'm alwaystrying to "spice up my life".

I'm always fixing myself an objective in my life (or more or less, I try to);from major things like being an excellent lawyer who defends human rights andfight for the innocents one day, to minor ones like making sure I make up mybed each day of the week (which with the years is becoming a daily struggle!)No matter how small or big my goals and objectives are, I feel I need to fixthem to keep on going... to have a focus point in my life.

I'm as schizophrenic a person as you'll find:
-I'm driven, outspoken and determined, yet I'm very poised, tolerant andsometimes indecisive.
-I'm a solitary person who loves abstract ideas and self-reflection, and alwayskeeps her stuff organized, yet I'm a social butterfly, who loves"concretizing" her ideas and is extremely disorganized with plans!
That's me right there, as schizophrenic as you can get.

Of course, I'm a lot more complex than this, and I'm very far from being theperfect being (ask my best friends and siblings and they'll have lotttts ofdirt about me).

but one thing is for sure: each day I thrive to be a better person, be moregenerous, more loving more empathetic. To be less impatient, less susceptibleand less critical about people. To be understanding, broad minded,conscientious. To fight against indifference, self-sufficience andself-righteousness. It's a daily struggle to be a better person and to thriveto give the best in you everyday, it's kind of an impossible model ofperfection. Yet the more you try, the more you challenge yourself to reachperfection, the more you will be perfected and would attain excellency.

I aspire to be as candid as Thomas Sankara, as eloquent as Barack Obama and asperseverant as Nelson Mandela.

And most of all, I yearn to understand myself more profoundly, 'cause WalterLippmann said it best:

"Our greatest instrument for understanding the world—introspection . . . .The best way of knowing the inwardness of our neighbor is to knowourselves."

Lots of Peace, Love, and Happiness.

Sincerely,

Olivia M.

#46 - The Story of Alain Rodrigue...(with updates)

2011-10-13T14:12:00.000-07:00

(Updates: Oct. 13th, 2011)

On September 22nd, Alain Rodrigue, as referred through the Harambe Cameroon incubator, won the national Business Plan competition organised by the Ministry of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises of Cameroon. He won 1 million FCFA ($2000) seed capital, and 2millionFCFA in collateral donations.

His project is an environmental initiative, to recylcle plastic waste and transform it ito:
1. Plastic tiles 2. granules and 3. Road bricks.
By May 2012 he projects to have his enterprise operational.

As always, he underlined the importance Harambe Cameroon had in his success. He presented his trophee to our HCam team, here.

Alain Rodrigue,once more, we are very proud you.

___________ Published on Sept. 16th ______________

For the past months I've been undergoing so many pressures, hurdles and setbacks that 3 days ago I fell terribly sick to my stomach - my bele was bloated, I had a headache, and my ears were aching. Even my spirit was aching. In addition to my laptop being stolen, on Sunday, the screen of my android tablet broke (making it unusable) and the laptop I borrowed to work with stop working. I seriously felt I was at the very least cursed and spiritually attacked, 'cause I don't understand why all these technologies - my working tools- are giving up on me, at the very moment I need them to produce and advance my work. I was borderline depressing and questioning, once more, why I'm staying in this country (I love and cherish so much) but with so many setbacks that it's making me more frequently than not (4/7days), more sad, more frustrated, and disempowered, when I'm trying to empower others.

Yes, more than before I've been considering how to plan my exit strategy, 'cause it gets so challenging sometimes. I feel the universe is bombarding me with rubber bullets. At the same time I don't want to complain all the time, and lament myself; cuz I know many who go through worse in their lives. Still, I keep thinking how I could just snap out of this "entrepreneurial" world, and just peacefully, comfortably settle for a job and not stress about others anymore. Yet, the simple thought of that makes me wince my teeth. As alluring as it is, being in a comfortable office with a great pay, and limiting myself to the wellbeing and advancement of just one company, is not the lifestyle I want to settle for. At least not now. I still have my youthful energy, dreams, ambitions and liberty, to try and fail, without the huge pressure I'll have when I have a husband and kids to look after. So the time is now, to try different ventures in my life. That's the thinking that keeps me on the path of establishing and institutionalizing Harambe-Cameroon as an intricate organization for the empowerment of Cameroonian youth.

Still, sometimes, when I get down to the low of the rollercoaster of emotions entrepreneurs and leaders go through, I don't even have the energy to pump myself to the higher height of the rollercoaster. In those moments, it's not my words or convictions that make me snap out of the vicious cycle of self-pitying and depression anymore. It's stories like that of Alain-Rodrigue, one of the top-20 team captains of the Harambe national Problem-Solvers' Competition, that inspire and refuel me with the energy to keep moving and to keep pushing.

When the American Embassy informed me they were organizing a workshop on Small and Medium Sized enterprises in Douala, they asked me to refer some young entrepreneurs that cold benefit from the workshop. I went into my Harambe data base, and proposed 3 of the captains in the Harambe Top-20 Probelm-Solver's roaster, all residing in Douala. Alain-Rodrigue was one of them.

"As part of programs designed to foster economic growth in Cameroon, the Embassy of the United States of America is organizing a seminar for young business people in Douala from August 30 – September 2, 2011. This hands-on training, led by American expert Juan Casimiro, is expected to provide participants with skills and tools to start a business or expand their business activities in the Cameroonian context.

Topics that will be covered during the seminar include: The spirit of entrepreneurship; strategic and product marketing for new enterprises; strategies for sustainability and competitiveness; success factors for early stage entrepreneurial development, business planning, etc."

Alain Rodrigue constantly sent me feedback about the preparations and discussions with the American Embassy.

On the last day of the workshops, he called me at 6:45am!!! In my half-sleep i was wondering "who the hell is calling me at this time. Seeing on the phonescreen the caller ID, I thought,"this young boy is over-zealous man!" so I called him back at 10am, ready to give him a sermon on work etiquette, and the importance of respecting calling hours... but he picked up the phone, very excited, with the news that he won the 2nd prize of the business competition the American embassy organized, and because he is grateful for Harambe he will divide his cash-prize in two, and give half of it to Harambe ($100). He said the embassy will give them the cash prize in 2 weeks, and then, he will give us 50% of it.That promise just warmed my heart. I thanked him; yet still,I took his words and promises with lots of reserve. For in the past 2years, one thing I have learned for sure, based on all the unfulfilled promises I have had (whether it's from multinational companies, CEOs, collegues, or the recent one - a young guy pledging to give $2000 to advance Harambe),

is not to be too elated by "possiblities", "potential" and "promises." In Cameroon, words are simply words. They are not inauguration of "action". They are non-binding, and people here can afford (with no remorse)to have their word discredited. That, I have learned and experienced the hard way, is one of our Kmer local realities. All that to say, I have learned to not build my hopes on people's words (no matter what status, stature, gender, age one is), I have learned to not naively place my trust in one he/she said, I now know not to count my chicks before they all hatch. And I now have much more respect and admiration for those who honor their words.

Alain-Rodrigue honored his promise to give 50% of his cash prize to Harambe-Cameroon. My collegue picked the money from him yesterday, as I was out of town, and it will go straight away, without interception, into our office rent (which I'm considering to stop the lease, 'cuz the expenses are more of a liability than an asset. But that's another story).

Alain-Rodrigue's act, his action, is a real example of the things that keep me moving in this tough environment. Seeing the gratitude someone has for the existence of Harambe-Cameroon, reminds me that what we are doing is important for Cameroon's youth, and no matter the lows, setbacks and frustrations, we must keep moving. When my friends ask me, why are you still hustling in Cameroon, when with your netowork and your competence you could be comfortable somewhere else? I answer, because of the thousand of people like Alain-Rodrigue who see a value in what we are doing to encourage job-creation amongst Cameroon's youth, to empower them with access to information, and to engage them in the development of our country.

What makes Alain-Rodrigue remarkable, is that he testified - concretely - on what Harambe meant to him. Out of the three people I referred, he is the only one who gave me any sort of feedback on how the workshop went. His story reminds me a lot of the Biblical story of the Ten Lepers. Out of the 10 lepers healed by Jesus, only one came back to say "Thank you."

With what Alain Rodrigue did, I myself I'm reminded to make sure I never find myself in the group of 9 leppers, who received but never thought of saying thank you. It reminds me to always remember to say thank you for every action that has been done for me.

So, this blogpost is my way to say Thank You to Alain Rodrigue, for his magnanimity and exemplary attitude.

______________________________________________

#45 - My Countdown to 11/11/11

2011-10-11T05:20:00.000-07:00

Every year I enjoy making a countdown to my b'day (Nov. 11th).

My closest friends are fed up with it (after hearing it for the past 10+ years), others think I'm being conceited... what can I say, I am a November baby, and we are known to be megalomaniac.

So for this very special year (Twenty-ELEVEN), I'm doing my countdown "more crazily" and boldly, by broadcasting myself :)

But I'll really like some suggestions on what to do, given that I'm in Cameroon!!! It will suck to hype it up like this and have a very ordinary day that day... so i'm open for suggestions.

Be nice!

xx

#44 - When I feel overstressed, I take a refreshing break!!!

2011-09-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

When I feel stressed and overstressed, I take a break. What I consider a lull before the next battle to come.

Two days ago, I chose to get away from the capital city, and head to the beach, with my friend - Magdelina - who just arrived in Kmer on Friday (from 2 months in Kenya) for her volunteer trip in Africa. (Polish of origin, residing in the UK, and Goldman Sachs past worker, she chose to take a sabbatical year off and volunteer her time and energy in various organizations in Africa. As she stays over at my place for the next month, she will volunteer for Actions Vitales pour un developpement durable, as well as other organizations, including Harambe.)

So we went to Kribi together, enjoyed 24hours of dulce vita,

eating Agneau de St Malo, sol menier,Fresh fish straight from the sea, Quiche lauraine, Rosé, Badoit, with the sound of waves... it was simple bliss!

#45 - The 5th annual Harambe Bretton Woods Symposium will be held March 30-April 2, 2012

2011-09-16T08:35:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to inform you that the application to join the 5th class of the Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance is now open. The 5th annual Harambe Bretton Woods Symposium will be held March 30-April 2, 2012 at Yale University, Harvard University and Bretton Woods.

If you know African students or young professionals with new ideas about the way forward for Africa, sense the urgency and opportunity of the now, and would like to rely on a support network of like-minded, driven and motivated Africans to help you explore and implement your idea, then please direct them to HEA application.
Whether they are interested in the business, humanitarian, political or scientific challenges and opportunities of Africa, the growing, rich and diverse community of our Alliance can help them transform their ideas into action.

As a result of our growing number of corporate partnerships with international corporations such as Intel, Nestle, GlaxoSmithKline, and Seacom, our Alliance is now able to provide summer grants to our associates. Also thanks to the Tony Blair Foundation our Alliance is also able to provide internship opportunities in the office of the presidents of Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

In line with our application trends, we are expecting over 600 applicants for next year`s gathering,...for the final selection for the 30 new associates of our Alliance.

Please find more information on the website www.healliance.org/hbws and feel free to share the application link with anyone in your network you may deem appropriate.

Thank you.

#43 - Doing Business in Africa: Who is the Mad Man – or Woman?

2011-09-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

Doing Business in Africa: Who is the Mad Man – or Woman?_

By @AfricaTechie _ Extracted from her blog:

We have a common saying in this country: “if you are swimming in the river, a mad man comes and steals your clothes and you leave the river naked to run after the mad man, who is really the mad man?

I am feeling a lot like the man (in this case woman) running naked after a mad man to get my clothes back. That is what it feels like to try to do business ethically in this country.

When crooked competitors win contract after contract while you struggle do make ends meet, who is the mad man?

When a customer tears up a payment because you refuse to bribe the accountant and says “see how you will get paid now,” who is the mad man?

When thugs working for an “enemy” are allowed to break down your door and assault you, the police comes and tells them “go home” without any punishment because you don’t bribe them, who is the mad man?

Perhaps what makes me even more the “mad woman” is that I still think something is wrong with the way the system works but I still persist in going against it.

I run after the mad man when I speak out about the lost contract, raising examples of unethical behavior – when the decision makers were certainly in on the deal.

I run after the mad man when I sue the customer to get my payment – in a corrupt judicial system that will drag the case on for years before eventually awarding me a judgment I can’t execute.

I run after the mad man when I protest to high level police officials – who tell me to go get my own thugs.

The examples are many. The point I am trying to make is that running counter-culture means running after the mad man. In the end, you are the one that looks stupid, the one that doesn’t get paid, the one that doesn’t get the contract, and the one that can’t get help from the police. I have frequently gotten laughed at to my face for refusing to bribe. And honestly, I begin to wonder if I am not the crazy one.

#42 - An insight into Okendo Lewis-Gayle, the man behind the steady success of the Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance

2011-09-11T10:08:00.000-07:00

Today, as I'm preparing a blogpost for the Youth Hub Africa, I thought of no other person to inspire me than Mr Okendo Lewis-Gayle, President/Chairman of the Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance. I went back into my archived messages in my gmail, and found this treasure trove of empowering, challenging and uplifting messages written by Okendo, to the members of the alliance.As I was reinspired by his challenging words and call to action, I had the urge to share this insight into the man behind the steady success of the Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance, to the world wide web. Read 2 excerpts of Mr Lewis-Gayle's speeches: The one before the first ever Harambe Bretton Woods Symposium, and the one after the latest Fourth Annual Harambe Bretton Woods Symposium. The spirit of Harambe is ever present in both speeches, yet the message goes beyond our fellow Harambeans, it's a universal message, addressed to all who seek to have an impact in this world and to make a change. So read on, and be inspired to action!

Sent: (Thu, Mar 27, 2008 at 6:27 PM)
Before the first Harambe Bretton Woods Symposium

Hello Harambe

The Roman author,Virgil, in his narration of the epic war between the Trojans and the Latins for control of Italy, the Aeneid, provided us with an insight into what seems to be a universal law of the human experience, ¨Audentes¨ he wrote ¨fortuna iuvat.¨

This hackneyed Latin quote is often translated into Fortune favors the bold, but as an alum of Julius Cesar High School, in Rome, Italy and a scholar of the Ancient World, I am familiar with the relish for nuances that both Greek and Roman authors had, and as such I must correct the record and state that a closer construction of Virgil´s words would be Fortune favors those who act boldly, those who dare.

A small yet significant difference. In my pursuit of the Harambe Trail, I have managed to meet many of you, and entertained revealing discussions about the reasons behind your decision to join such promising, hopeful yet uncertain Endeavor. In the process I have come to appreciate the diversity of our group, not only in the modern understanding of diversity, black, white, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, men and women, we have it all, but in terms of character. Some of you seem to meet the text book definition of leadership: driven, determined and unafraid; others are quiet, unassuming and hesitant, others yet seem to straddle the slippery fence between audacity and undying caution.

All of us, the ones who have chosen to persevere because and in spite of the odds, the ones who have sacrificed time, opportunities and countless more, the ones who have chosen to believe in a brighter vision for Africa that is not yet here, all of us have acted boldly, all of us have dared.

As such we are the Audentes that Virgil speaks of, not because we were born bold, not because we think we are bold, but because we have acted boldly.

Prince, Taf, Brian, and I have lived by this law since the inception of our unlikely Endeavor. It is the law that enabled us to prove unfounded the remarks of those who said that no one would join our Endeavor, that no one would seriously commit, that the Mount Washington Resort would never agree to hosting our Symposium free of charge, that Dartmouth College would not welcome our group, that the African Union Ambassador would never endorse us, that the State Department would never open up the US Embassies and the list continues.

It is my profound conviction, from both my experience and my historical review of the human experience that this same law will takes us on a ten country tour, will implement Harambe Incubators and will inspire our continent into action.

Yet I know that this will only occur if we continue to dare, continue to act boldly and continue to believe in our vision for a prosperous Africa. So while we may pause and recognize our accomplishments, we should not fall victims to the illusion that the job is done, for as I am fond of saying just like wisdom without courage and leadership without followers are futile exercises, so too is courage or boldness without action.

All this to say thank you my fellow Audentes, and as we enter a critical stage in the implementation of the Harambe Incubators, let us not forget that we will be judged by the quality and success of our action, as such please continue to work closely with the Admin Team, your team mates and the incoming Harambe Fellows so that together we can prove unfounded all those who still say ¨it can´t be done.¨

Ad Maiora!!!

Okendo Lewis Gayle

President Harambe Endeavor

www.Hendeavor.org

HARAMBE BRETTON WOODS SYMPOSIUM
'Where Ideas and Action Meet'
April 18th-20th 2008

_______

Sent: (Thu, Mar 27, 2008 at 6:27 PM)
After the fourth Harambe Bretton Woods Symposium

... my hope is that Harambe pragmatism has managed to convince you that where Africa stands 10 or 20 years from now largely depends on the choices we make and the actions we take today.

While I am glad that many of you established new friendships and acquaintances during our time together, our gathering will have been a failure if you simply stopped at that. For a week ago, you chose to take responsibility for the continent's destiny, you chose to step out of the comfort and safety of the armchair and boldly declared your intention "to work together as one to unleash the potential of Africa’s people, pursue the social, political and economic development of our continent and fulfill the dream of our generation." (Harambe Bretton Woods Declaration)

Harambe has no legal recourse nor intention to enforce the principles of our Declaration. This is not an agreement between you and HEA but rather a personal pledge that you have made to Africa. Conscience not courts will enforce the moral dictates of last weekend's commitment.

If the promise of the future is not realized, if the riches of the land do not translate into lasting social, political and economic gains for its people, if yet another opportunity is squandered then we will have no one but ourselves to blame. Some may be able to single out poor leadership on the continent as the culprit. Others may accuse predatory and unscrupulous investors. Yet others may say "I did the best I could for myself and my family."

But Harambeans, those of us who are "conscious of the painful lessons learned by preceding generations; aware of the toils and sacrifices of the few; cognizant of the daunting challenges that face a continent," (HBWD) will not be allowed to pass the buck, and kick the can down the road. Instead we will be haunted by regrets and introspection: "Did I do enough? Could I have prevented or fixed the problem? Was I too naive or selfish?"

This, my fellow-Harambeans, is what our time together was all about. Last Sunday did not mark the end of the Harambe experience, but the beginning of a collective journey. Neither Harambe or any Harambean will dictate which path you ought to take. We all trust that you are best positioned to determine your own trajectory. But we all expect you to find it and take it, and while you may choose your own vehicle and speed direct engagement, not lip service, is all that counts.

Please forgive me, if this is not the reassuring and upbeat message you would like to hear from me right now. But I hope you will see it as my effort to ensure that our time together is not perceived as an extravagant waste of time and money, but a transformative moment for each and everyone of us.

(Inside the Bretton Woods Symposium photos :
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.565260691172.2068454.29103130)

Bold and immediate action is what is required of us. The time for procrastination and gradualism is over. Now we must act.

For those of you who dare to act, those of you who heed the creed Fortuna Audentes Iuvat, please know that HEA will be a steady and reliable partner. Your local banks may deem you too risky. Your government may be skeptical and your family may think you are crazy. But to Harambe you are Africa's most valuable resource and we are committed to ensure that the Audentes among us, receive the support necessary to translate ideas into action.

As you know Harambe is a work in progress, but if history is any guide, and I have my way, financial groups will step over each other to fund your initiatives. African presidents and governments will wine and dine you for your attention and your peers will celebrate you as role models of effective action and paragons of sacrifice and enlightened altruism.

If it sounds bold and crazy, it is because I am. But this is my personal commitment to those of you who dare to act. One I am glad to be held accountable for. Think of it as Harambe Audentes Iuvat, an evergreen oasis of opportunity for young and enterprising Africans committed to the development of the continent.

... I have attached to this note the signature page of the HBWD and our group picture. In the times of restless solitude and desparing disappointment that will surely come, please remember your commitment and the words of our declaration: "Yet, in the end, the Africa our generation desires can be won, it exists, it is real, it is possible, it is ours."

Thank you all for your time, best of luck with your initiatives and look forward to our continued work together.

Hendeavor on!!!

-------------

About Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance

The Fourth Annual Symposium

#41 - (Teaser) the Harambe-Cameroon 2011 ProblemSolvers' Competition + 24hrs incubation

2011-08-24T13:58:00.000-07:00

Have a sneak peak into the 24hrs Incubation + Problem Solvers' Competition. And please help us spread the word about our endeavor to your network. We seek your support - intellectual, technical and financial - to make this program a 2012 reality for Cameroon's aspiring entrepreneurs.

#40 - Writing a note, cuz I can't post a comment on fb (or respond to messages) on this crappy cybercafe computer.

2011-08-23T16:22:00.000-07:00

Once again, Kmer has taken out the frustration in me... and I'm screaming outloud at the roughness I'm experiencing on the ground since 2 years I chose to return back to my motherland.

I actually just got back in town, from my short trip to the US, this Sunday evening, and on Monday (yesterday) I'm having a reality-check experience, telling me this place is not all rosy & gravy.

Here's a note I shared on facebook yesterday night, to explain to my friends what happened when I got robbed yesterday night.

" 2 hours ago I got robbed my bag with my laptop (my 3rd hand, 3rd leg, and 2nd brain) in my mom's car as we were coming back home from work...It was shocking, traumatizing & troubling!

Here's what happened: Mom and I were driving back home from our day at work...we dropped one of her friends,and i moved up to the front seat,and left my bag in the backseat. The door behind me was locked, but the one behind mom was open. So at NtabaNlonkak,there was traffick(go slow). In 5 seconds, someone opened the back door like they were about to enter the car (my mom and I were between shocked and confused); the guy picked up my bag that was laying on the backseat, and ran away with 3 other guyz. (Seriously, just the thought of it, is still freakin me out). They took my bag, with my laptop (my everything u can imagine - all the Harambe Cameroon docs I'm working on : from the report of the previous competition,to the businessplan I havent finished yet,and all the reports I was working on, letters to ministries, deans, project proposals, graduate schools applications, Competitions I was applying for plus award certificates, all the archived docs. Dunno if u understand how my laptop is my 3rd hand (the music is replaceable; the pix,im thankful i'm constantly uploading them to fb) - it's my breadwinner, my perspiration, my everything) plus there was my wallet - with cash, IDs, Bank of America card,UBA card (that I can block it anytime,so it's fine), my keys (room,office),the 90 pix I recently printed out at CVS , my favorite perfume, makeup bag; my Rich Dad Poor Dad (Kiyosaki book) and and.. my notebook (the one in which I jot down all my ideas, thoughts, talking points, insights, great ideas from meetings, plans, etc) ... and more!

For me, the traumatizing part is to have been mentally raped like that. It's SCARY as HELL!!! the 30 mins after that, I was scared of any sudden sound,or anyone abruptly coming towards the car, or dark and shady areas (And u know in Cameroon that's everywhere).It's traumatizing man. And that fear is paralysing. And i'm tired of all these challenges adding on to previous ones.I 'm not superwoman for crying out loud. Now I have to think,yet again: SOLUTIONS! tchmmm... It's quite unfair. In the past month I've just had toooooo many setbacks like this. It's DISCOURAGING. And as much as I press on and keep believing, I'm exhausted!

Seriously, Where do I start to buy a new laptop? when I have my 3 months office rent coming up? When I have reports to print out, fundraising events to organize, information sessions to hold! So yeah, I'm about to break down, cuz this is beyond pulling my legs, brains, hair. At the same time, I know I need to stop complaining & ranting. Such is life. I won't cry over spilt milk (well, cry a lil... for just tonight; that's it. lol) Tomorrow is a new day, and I will focus on finding solutions for the future.

And so I keep encouraging myself, 'cause I started something I cannot leave half-way or abandon. The ball is rolling, so whether I want it or not, whether I'm physically exhausted and emotionally withered, or not, the ball must keep rolling. It's beyond my person, it's a movement that I started, but that transcends me. It has captured the heart of thousands of young people, and have given them hope to succeed in Cameroon, despite all the challenges I frequently blog about. Harambe Cameroon is engaging our youth to be active in the solution making process of our country, to be ambitious, entrepreneurial, and create opportunities where there is none. It's time for me to live by our Harambe Cameroon slogan "transforming our problems into opportunities," and find a way to transform this problem into an opportunity.

I won't take much credits for my capacity to move on... I have to.Too many people are relying on me, counting on me, believing in me, for me to let setbacks pull me back.

And yes I thank God that gangn of thieves didn't physically beat us up, or try to steal the car, while they were at it. So I'm still counting my blessings, despite everything. Afterall,all these things are just material. I will replace it, and upgrade. What cannot be stolen is my brain to reproduce all what I created in the first place. It will take time, but that's fine, I'll just do it, with God's grace and favor. I still believe, with God on my side, The best is yet to come.

I thank you all for your concerns,ur inboxes, outboxes,sms,tweets, phonecalls, u all keep me moving with ur encouragements, kind words, compassion and faith in me. It adds a smile to my face. So I thank you all sincerely.

With lots of love, always

Oli.

The National 2011 Problem-Solvers' Competition - by ActivSpaces

2011-08-08T16:29:00.000-07:00

Harambe Cameroon: Transforming Problems Into Opportunities

IN: COMMUNITY| COMPETITIONS| PROJECTS| STARTUPS| YAOUNDE

2Aug2011

Think Innovatively, Act Locally & Connect Globally
Harambe Cameroon, an organization promoting social entrepreneurship, recently held its firstNational Problem-Solvers’ business plan competition in Yaounde. 40 proposals had initially been submitted from university students countrywide but the top 5 were systematically selected. The teams behind them were in the capital city for 24 hours of incubation and a final live presentation before a public audience and a panel of jurists. ActivSpaceswas present and impressed by the enthusiasm of the Cameroonian youth to undertake projects geared towards development of the motherland and the continent at large.

“If Not Now, When?”
Contestants in the business plan competition proved the capability of young forward-thinkers to make real impact in Cameroonian society. In the words of Nfinyo Mabu, CEO of Fresh Investment Corporation and one of the jurists at the competition:

“You [the youth] are not the leaders of tomorrow, you are the leaders of today.”

Youth4Change - Unversity of Douala (ESSEC) The WINNERS of the First national Problem-Sovers' Competition. Find their Executive summares here too:http://www.scribd.com/doc/59676649/HCam-Top-11-ESSEC-en-Youth-4-Change-Operation-500-Youth-Jobs-w-Farming-of-Corn-Grits

Harambe Cameroon represents a call-to-action; a push to seize the moment with initiatives despite roadblocks. The contestants all presented daring ideas in the spirit of “where there’s a will, there’s a way”. Getting into activity now is also the driving force behind what we do at ActivSpaces. Community-based entrepreneurs should not wait for times to get better, they should make better times.

“If Not Here, Where?”

The theme of a “national problem-solvers” competition is heartwarming to ActivSpacers who live and breathe to build bridges across divides. Harambe grasps the reality that every obstacle presents a possibility.

“Our mission is to inspire a new generation of young leaders and entrepreneurs who see problems as opportunities in need of solutions.”

The contestants observed issues like poor healthcare services, malnutrition, pollution, and transformed those into healthcare tools, nutrition control systems and recycling agencies, demonstrating innovative thinking of the first class. Here, where we have a multitude of problems, we equally have a myriad of opportunities.

Olivia Mukam - 3rd from the right

“If Not You, Who?”
If you’re waiting for a champion to fight for your cause, the student-contestants, thoroughly drilled by Harambe Cameroon, will tell you that they found that champion within themselves.

The Wii.FM Frequency
In her closing speech, Olivia Mukam, President & Founder of Harambe Cameroon, humorously mentioned that it seems everybody is tuned in to Wii.FM — “What’s in it for me?” Where several fail to find an answer that satisfies them, ActivSpaces immediately sees the potential to mobilize the youth towards fostering a better today and a brighter tomorrow for everyone. We commend Harambe Cameroon and look forward to working on collaborative projects in the interest of social entrepreneurship and ICT4D. Stay tuned ;)

Posted by Al Banda

Al is a business strategist and community manager for ActivSpaces. A third culture kid, he lives to bridge gaps between technology, infrastructure and culture. Network with him on LinkedIn.

Tags: business plans, entrepreneurship, incubator, innovation, leadership,startups

Source : http://activspaces.com/2011/08/harambe-cameroon-transforming-problems-into-opportunities/

#38 - Un Jour Un Evenement - Invité : Olivia Mukam - Présidente Fondatrice Harambe-Cameroun (1/3)

2011-08-08T16:09:00.000-07:00

Harambe-Cameroon explained by it President/Founder on Cameroon's most watched and most popular channel : Canal2International. The Interview is in French, we are working on the subtitles.
L'emission Un Jour Un Evenement sur Canal2 - 11h - Mercredi 27 Juillet, 2011 : Olivia Mukam sur le plateau du journaliste Jean-Jacques Zeh (Canal2 International)
- Qu'est-ce que Harambe-Cameroon?
- Qu'est-ce que la Comepition "Les Solutionneurs"?
Voire L'Entretien Intégrale http://t.co/5DklZY0: #emploi #Cameroun #Afrique #vision

#20 - JULY 5, 2010 = 365th Day in Kmer: ONE YEAR REFLECTION... Experiences + Lessons learned

2011-07-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a year since I wrote my ONE-YEAR reflection of my coming back to Cameroon. Today (July 5th, 2011) marks the 2nd year of being back in Kmer. I must say, most of the analysis I made last year are still valid one year later. Harambe-Cameroon has certainly evolved - we've mobilized a fan base of 3640 people on our facebook page - in 3 weeks - and we have successfully engaged teams of university students to propose project solutions to solve local problems (the Best project - selected from the competition process gets $6 000 seed funding). This year, we also received the Ministry of Higher Education's recommendation to all 6 state universities of Cameroon, so we may implement Harambe Clubs in each university (to be done starting this October) - as such, have access to a minimum of 50 000 students, and a maximum of 300 000 students. In addition we have constructed a data base of 25 000 students we can contact via sms/phone call (think how gr8 this could be for your visibility, or to sell a product/service/idea to that target group?). There are many more things that have helped us progress this 2nd year.

Yet, some of the key issues I underlined in my One-Year Reflections are still current : We still need a database of stories of entrepreneurs from Cameroon/Africa (those who succeeded/ those who didn't), in order to make the journey easier for those coming after us, and basically to stop our collective sense of individuality - where each person (knowingly, but often with much ignorance) thinks they would "invent the wheel." Yet if we shared our experiences, we will give others a stepping stone from which to start, that way, that way the next generation will work on inventing cars vs wheels (dunno if you get my analogy here?) Basically, Africans need to share their tales of success + failures, plus the inside tips, to those thriving to work on the continent, to facilitate people's lives! That's partly why I keep blogging. Although I don't blog much about my experiences & hurdles anymore ('cause I honestly feel like my first year of blogging was a lot of (sometimes) whining, (often) complaining, (but mostly) highlighting so much of the local realities, that I don't need to repeat myself...Or perhaps, it's simply that spending 2 years here, have numbed me to some of the craziness happening around here. Or maybe my critical eye, and sharp observation have just decreased! I don't know the exact reason. Let's say it's all of the above.) Still I try to keep you all updated with what's going on.

Let me stop here before the intro becomes twice as long as the blogpost in question. lol.

Read on...

________________________________________________________________________
After an entire year spent in Cameroon (July 5^th 2010 would be the 365^th day), trying to gain work experience and explore the “realities on the ground”; primarily, trying to establish my NGO (Harambe-Cameroon - that seeks to engage a generation of young entrepreneurs and problem-solvers), I have A LOT to reflect on, to scream about, to laugh out loud and cry aside, to learn and most importantly to share. (so get ready for the read, this might be one of my longest blogpost!)

I have come to realize that people here rarely share their experiences, whether of success or failure. And so many neophytes, as myself, engage on frequently-traveled-roads, and fall in the same pot holes our predecessors fell into. Hence, many reinvent the wheel or refight already-fought battles. U know, in Cameroon it’s not like in the US where thousands of people have written books about their life, challenges, experiences, and expertise – books that serve to educate and inspire people who might have similar situations or ambitions. In the US, a young person trying to start his business can “google”/”amazon”/or “Barnes&Noble” a book on their topic of interest. My point here is not to compare US and Cameroon, but to demonstrate the need to have a bank of stories of personal endeavors from which people can learn from, in order to, amongst other things, not fall in the same pitfalls as many.

For example, if at the beginning of my endeavor I was told to consider the following things I underwent, things might have been less physically and emotionally arduous:

- In order to have your association legalized, you have to prepare an extra 25.000FCFA ($50) to pay the officer so they can give you a receipt in 2 weeks vs 3months (another way for the officer to say “never will you get your receipt, if you don’t motivate me).

- I wish I had been told, when you invite journalists to your event, no matter how interesting, and community-rewarding your project is, you must plan at least 10.000FCFA($20) for each journalist (not each press organ), i.e. the reporter must have his dough, and the cameraman as well. If you fail to roll with the flow, the journalists who come to your event may intentionally publish a negative report of how your event went. (you don’t want that now, do you?)

- I wish I had also been told that some government agencies might verbally promise you their utmost support, but leave you stranded the very moment you are soliciting their help. Or that government agents might be reluctant to engage in an activity that’s theoretically in their realm of interest.

- If only I had known it would be the person I trusted with my money that would embezzle me (yes, I’ve been embezzled like our government), and plunge me into this $1,200 debt that I’m having headaches paying off!?

I tell you, I have had many mouth-drop, you’re-not-serious moments! Revolted, disgusted, angry at this system… you don’t agree with some practices, e.g. paying the journalists to cover your event, but what can you do? Either you pay the price of not having any media coverage (which was the lowlight of 2 of our events, not because I was deliberately protesting against paying the journalists, but because, I hoped they would be attracted to our cause, but they could care less!); or you use that 4^th power (the media), plan in advance the 10thou u will give each media you invite, and you have your event broadcasted across the nation!

Cameroon, oh Cameroon! It’s certainly not a land for naïve, weak-of-mind, or impatient people. To survive in this society, you must be a fusion of:

A Warrior (Persevere through each battle to win the War)

+ Hustler (have a Drive that will keep you moving)

+ Optimist (despite how dire the situation may look, the best is always yet to come).

You also need, in Nfinyo Mabu’s words “an ounce of faith, a teaspoon of hard work, and an overdose of prayer.”

I will add to that, you need A Sense of Humour + Adventure. If not, I tell you, you will be pissed all day, all the time… whether it’s by the taximan squeezing you in the front seat of a cab with a boy stinking fish, like he’d taken a bath in fish-water (that happened to me yesterday); or by college students who can’t shut up for one minute to listen to the information you want to give them about a competition that will serve them good! Or a man twice your age (yes, exactly twice my age) that would SERIOUSLY (I stress on the serious part), tell you (not even ask) he wants you to be his SECOND wife, like it’s an honor; granted, he is a multimillionaire… I actually laughed it off, like “u’re kidding! Come on! U’re kidding”, and he was dead serious! Come on now, why should I trade my blank-check for a red check that would only bring me additional problems! Uh uh! I’d rather have my young boy who has nothing, but great ambition, drive and a dream on a piece of paper, than commit to someone who has already lived his life and will take me as a trophy-wife (That’d be the tragedy of my life!).

Back to my point, most times I am shaking my head and laughing things off, cuz if I take most of these things seriously or personally ... hmmm… then by now I’d be either planning my trip back to the US, or be a bitter negative and suicidal B****! Real talk. This society can deflate your hype and energy so quickly! It can turn you into a sour negative person so easily! Today I understand the thousands of Cameroonian who came back with a positive will to help advance our nation, gave it a try, saw how difficult it gets, balanced the odds between staying and leaving, understandably chose the latter, and went back to their host-country with little remorse.

Unfortunately, many people don’t share their stories. Granted, many are not asked to share! Still, the successful people around seem to have become rich and successful overnight. Those who weren’t successful just fade out… It’s still a mystery to most Cameroonian how some of the wealthiest men in the nation have become who they are today; whether it’s Fotso Victor, Kadji de Fotso, Paul Fokam Kamogne, Group Fadil, etc. Yet, when you ask each one of them a question pertaining to a problem you are going through, they will tell you they went through the exact same thing, and even accurately predict what you might be going through in the near future.

That’s what I discovered when I complained to my aunt&uncle who own a very successful IT company in Douala (CREATIVE), about managing people in my team. They told me “it’s the same thing in our company! You are frequently negotiating with people you pay, to correctly do the job they are employed to do!” Another uncle told me “Staffing is the number one problem in Cameroon!” My dad, general manager, for the past 25 years of his construction company (CACOCO-BTP), told me “After 25years i still have human resources problems!" That said, it's a problem that certainly will not end from one day to the other.

And recently, I spoke to 2 civil society leaders, who went through similar and even worse challenges with establishing their NGOs in Cameroon. For example I told one of them I had about $1200 (600.000CFA) of debt to pay (how I got into debts, I explain it below), he told me when he started 4 years ago, he borrowed up till $10,000 (5.000.000CFA) and still has $2.000 to pay...Their stories and experiences did not erase my problems, but it helped me rationalize and have the right mindset to tackle them.

I am actually thinking about making a little documentary in which I will interview 5-6 people in the Civil Society, in Business, and Politics, who have gone through hell and back. In my documentary, each actor will explicitly and in-details explain the challenges they went through, and how they managed to pull through. Again, their narratives might not prevent all the problems someone might face when establishing their organization (there will always be issues that come up), but it will help people be more mindful of potential obstacles, avoid some holes here and there… in short, it will ease the road for those coming after.

But before I speak about other people’s stories, let me share some of mine. After one year of work experience - Interning at UNICEF for 3months, then representing the African Investment Corporation-USA in Cameroon (africaninvestcorp.com), Plus, part-time selling homes for a company that’s innovating the real-estate sector of Cameroon with the mortgage system (adcafrica.com) – here are my thoughts, reflections and experiences, specifically on my efforts to establish Harambe Cameroon:

In 3 points….

POINT 1:

It’s been rough, I won’t lie. Really rough! And even as we closed the year with a competition and ceremony (on June 3^rd), there’s still a lot I have to deal with. I have to deal with all the financial aspects: journalists who had to be paid for covering our event, video and cameraman who also have to be paid, debts that have rolled over since the fundraising event (explained below)… all this, I have to handle. The others sympathize, but no one can take a dime out of their pocket to alleviate any of these costs… As is often said success has a thousand parents, but defeat is an orphan… and I add, unless it has a mother that can’t abandon it. When it comes to taking credit for a successful event, everyone wants the light to shine on them, but when it comes to dealing with the critical problems and challenges, everyone disappears. Such is human nature. It’s not just a Harambe thing. In this case, when you are the concept founder, all the responsibility falls on you.

Lesson Learned (1): Leadership is probably the toughest, hardest and loneliest position in the whole Universe!

Which leads me to my next point:

POINT 2:

I still feel 95% of the weight heavily sitting on my back – whether it’s financial, organizational, or emotional. I didn’t expect it to be so after an entire year of activities. I thought with one or two events, we will build a momentum that’d get people to jump on the wagon. And internally, with members of the organization, for practically everything done (whether letters, or appointments, or printouts, or other), I have to make sure all the work to be done is “chewed-ready-to-swallow” for anyone else to execute it without making a mistake. If not, as I had mentioned in a previous post, there’s a huge problem of rigor in tasks delivered: footnotes are not correct, dates are not updated, the message may not be coherent, the display is not aesthetic, there are mistakes allllll over! Those are things that tick my last nerve – half-ass work, urgh!

So whether it’s organizational or financial, it’s been a heavy load to carry. But as the saying goes, “when you pray, don’t pray for a lighter load, but a stronger back.” I agree very much with that, and it’s kept me working, working, and working, with God fortifying me… Still, I wish someone could help me do some of the little things like typing up letters (or actually, just updating templates I’ve already written), calling the media and other guests, double checking the room is ready, etc. It’s not like there are not people for these tasks in the team though. There’s a PRO, a secretary, a logistics officer, and others… But, again, as happened twice before (during the first competition, before the fundraising event ), before this 2^nd competition, most of them were busy with school, and other problems, so some backed down, others were MIA, in short, there was the recurrent problem of unavailability and unreliability. What can you do then? D-Day-2? The job needs to be done, so you have to do it!

Lessons learned (2):

I have restructured the organogram of the team. Previously, I had designed it with positions ranging fom President, VP, Project manager, Financial officer, Partnership and strategies, interns, public relations, marketing…about 12 posts, like we were an established corporation. Back then I used to think if each member has a specific position, he/she will take charge and deliver according to his/her position. Unfortunately it wasn’t the case. An advisor told me, as a starter, you should not have more than 5 people in your team, if not it becomes a crowd. You end up busy managing people vs managing the organization’s main problems. So what I decided is this:

First: Decrease the amount of positions, have 4-5 departments. In addition to the Presidence, there will be 5 departments: Secretariat (SG + translator), Financial (treasurer+fundraising chair), Communications (PRO+marketing), Management (Project manager), and Partnerships&Strategies (which might even be condense in another one). In each department there are 2 members, one in charge, the other assists. It might change depending on the competence and productivity of each person. In addition, there’s the Board of advisors, Internship Program, and Legal Advisor. That’s the new structure.

Second: Like my friend, Melvin Wajiri – Coordinator of Dance4Life, Cameroon, I will establish a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU), with each member/staff/or intern. They will sign a contract stating they will fulfill their responsibilities to Harambe-Cameroon. For interns or volunteers, they will sign a contract saying they will give, for example, 2 hours of their time to Harambe/week. This written agreement, I believe, will decrease the laxness within the organization.

POINT 3:

I made the mistake of organizing 3 events in the span of 3 months. Why? Because once we fixed a date for an event, we wanted to meet deadlines and deliver what we promised we would (I, and my American ways, take the responsibility for this!)

- It started with the first Elevator Pitch Contest in Cameroon, which we hosted on March 5^th 2010. For this competition, we asked students to “Identify a problem in your community, propose a solution to that problem, and articulate it in 90seconds.”The event was a first in the nation, and it was a buoyant success: Mt Febe Hotel and the US Embassy, respectively, sponsored the location and the prizes. The 4 best solutions to local problems were rewarded, and the event was greatly appreciated by all attendees. The general opinion was that it’s an innovative concept, very practical and necessary for Cameroon’s youths to express themselves and be local problem-solvers.

o After all the encouragements and the hype about the first competition, we decided to host a second edition of the competition 3 months later, in June. This time around, we decided to be theme-specific: “Can you find a project-solution to an environmental problem?” (Today, I think we could’ve had more time between the 2 events). In order to organize another competition, we had to:

1. Book appointments at several universities in Younde, to host info-sessions about Harambe Cameroon and its June Competition. (Pictures below)

Ecole Nationale de Superieur de Batiments et Travaux-Publics (ENSBTP)

University of Yaounde I (Ngoa-Ekele)

Institut Ndi-Samba Superieure.

2. Seek funding: We dropped letters at more than 20 institutions that work either in development, entrepreneurship, or environmental issues; to ask for an “audience” (in French for a meeting). We received less than 5 responses back, Imagine! Mind you, among these 20 institutions, 90% want to help development, but they can’t even give you 5minutes of their time to listen to what you propose on the development agenda. Nor do they even acknowledge your request for a meeting. Smh! (So much printing and transportation money vamoosed in the air!)

3. Organize a fundraising event: We decided to organize a fundraising event, in order to make money for the following Elevator Pitch Contest. We didn’t want to rely anymore on unresponsive or unreliable sponsors, especially after sending unanswered letters to more than a dozen of them. So we said we’ll act as we say and be entrepreneurial: organize a fundraising event… Let me elaborate on that before I continue with this POINT 3:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE HARAMBE-CAMEROON FUNDRAISING SOIREE

The Theme: “Represent your favorite Indomitable Lion by wearing his jersey”.

The Goal:

1. Fundraise for the the June 3^rd – “The Problem-Solvers: 90 seconds to convince” Competition: The best project idea, a solution to a local problem, will receive both a reward and seed funding for the implementation of their social innovation project.

2. Ensure Harambe-Cameroon’s sustainability: Funds to sustain our mission: "To inspire a new generation of young leaders and entrepreneurs who see problems as opportunities in need of solutions.

3. Celebrate Cameroon's National Day, and Cameroon@50 by highlighting the INDOMITABLE LIONS, as a model of excellence and dynamism for Cameroon's youth to follow: Harambe-Cameroon seeks to encourage Cameron's youth to have the "Lion's Spirit": The spirit of a fighter! So that they may propose ideas, create projects and tackle our collective problems for the benefit of our nation.

The Location: At Nfinyo Mabu’s residence.

In attendance: There were about 120 people (mostly university students and young professionals), the national TV - CRTV (filmed the event and aired it many times on TV the following week). We had about 20 American students (3 of which interned in Harambe) who studied in Kmer for 6months, and a couple of US marines; plus local artists like ONE LOVE, and Sydney (Winner of Africa Star).

The party was actually a success: people gave us an A+ because they had fun, it was an innovative concept, and they enjoyed themselves. The DJ was fantastic (fusion of Cameroonian muzik, and R&B, Hip-hop done by Leon Nkongo, aka DJ XL, freshly back from London/Brighton) ...

Group of American College students doing their study abroad in Cameroon

DJ XL - straight from Brighton -UK and others

Interns from Dickinson College and Georgetown University - USA.

Interview by the Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV)

With Harambe-Cameroon collegue - Frank Betote

Internally though, we had a crisis: we didn’t meet our objective, i.e. to FUND-raise, not Fun raise. We were hoping to make at the very least 1 million francs ($2000), but we only raise 180.000FCFA the day of, and about 200.000 with ticket sales:

Why didn’t we meet our objectives? We fleshed out some reasons at the evaluation meeting. The Number One reason was, as the US Economic crisis, OVER SPECULATION! We expected more the 300 people, thus, we invested on food and drinks our guests will buy during the party. Since less people than expected came, we wasted a lot of food and drinks.

Secondly, the money I borrowed to organize the party (since I knew we will fundraise much more and pay back the person the next day), got embezzled. Not all of it, but parts of it. I trusted someone with managing the funds correctly, little did I know he’d be the one using some of that money to handle some of his issues. The thing that still pinches my heart a little is that I had to pay back all that money, including what he used for his stuff. He didn’t even contribute 100frs (a quarter) to pay back the debt…nor did he try to know how I manage to postpone the payment… Anyways, I found myself like one of these African countries: fooled, abused and embezzled. That’s a lesson learned! Left a bitter taste in my mouth, but hey, a problem is always an opportunity to learn, to mature, to grow…

And as Pastor Joel Osteen said, it’s up to us to turn our test into our testimonies. I did an exercise Marianne Williamson advises to do, which I encourage you to try as well, i.e. find someone that angers you, gets on your nerves, or has hurt you, and pray for the person today. Pray for his happiness, for his joy, for the best in his life. I know, It’s hard to forget the ire you have towards the person, but trust me, as you start praying and blessing the person, you feel a weight lifted from your heart, you feel liberated. I prayed for this boy and blessed him, and it frees me every time I do that. Yes, I do it often, because although I want to think I have forgiven this boy, honestly I still have a bitter taste in my mouth when I think about that…and when I do, I pray for him. I guess only time will turn this sour taste into no-taste at all.

---------------

Back to my POINT 3: Organizing 3 events in 3 months…

So, after the fundraising party (May 21^st), I had to figure out a way to get out of that crisis man… hustled from left to right and managed to buy time to solve the problem. But we were 2 weeks away from the 2nd competition (June 3^rd), so we had to plan that.

Back to the usual: draft invitation letters, book the room, design certificates of participation, design a power point presentation, remind the contestants of the date, etc…

In brief, here are some learned, from both the party and organizing 3 big events, with practically NOTHING, in the span of 3months.

Lessons Learned (3) :

- For the Party: Next event I’ll use more facts (i.e. the amount of tickets sold) than speculation (expecting many people to show up the day of)! Also spend less on extra things that makes the party (e.g. the food we wanted to sell, or the excess of chairs we rented). Finally, even though I have been fooled once, I know the earth is round, and God is my avenger. On my part, I’ll make sure to not be fooled twice.

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(I also Thank the Lord Almighty for giving me a dad, a wonderful Daddy, who is always bailing me out of the worst situations. This time again he came to my rescue when I was in some deep mess…and paid 90% of my debt for me. My mom completed the 10 other percent! I don’t even know how much more I can say thank you! Really!)

And here's a Special Father's day (celebrated last week) picture, for the best DADDY in the world

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Little anecdote: Growing up dad constantly told me to be careful about "victories upon victories, success upon success without defeat or failure." Yes, I used to be the A-student from primary school (where they called me "calculator" in class2, and mini-computer in Class5) to middle school (in form 1 and 2, I was among the top students in classes of 100+ students in boarding school (Lourdes, then SAHECO-douala). In highschool, I kept my standards high, thriving in all my subjects, and in college as well , things were pretty good - with an exception with some Bs, and one C that makes my transcript bleed (maybe not bleed, but u know what I mean). All this to say, through out my short life so far I have had a constant taste of achivement and success in all I do - from academic, to extracurricular, and life in general. There was, however, a twisting point...I remember, in 11th grade I lost the High-School student council elections for Vice-President. Oh man, I remember taking it as such a failure, as if I had been rejected by the entire school... in addition to that, that very year, I had not been selected (among the 6 students) to go to the Saint Petersburg International Model United Nations (SPIMUN) in Russia, although I felt I was excelling in my MUN class. Needless to say that too was a dagger in my heart! It's both experiences that my dad had told me "He is glad I went through that!" I was like "huh! why?", and that's when he told me, It's unhealthy for someone to not know the taste of failure/losing something; 'cause if they experience it later on in their life (which they are bound to), it will extremely hard on them. And so, it's important to go through that early on, and know how to deal with it. Everytime I fall I think about what dad told me. The fall hurts, but I know it's crucial for my moral, emotional and spiritual growth and development. There's a quote I have on my facebook account that kindof summarizes this, it goes...
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Happiness keeps you Sweet ,

Trials keep you Strong,

Sorrows keep you Human,

Failures keep you Humble,

Success keeps you Glowing,

But Only God Keeps You Going!

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Back to my "Lessons- learned (3)" ... other Lessons learned:
Money is a good filter of real and fake people. Money uncovers many faults and unveils many people’s other sides. Here’s a concrete example that happened, again, during the fundraising event:

When we organized the fundraising party, many people said they will support. They said they believed in the cause and will work with Harambe to make the event a success to help Cameroon’s youth… until the day of… we had very well included them in the program and etc. Then, they request to be paid! Paid an amount that took 50% of what we raised. I tried to explain that “yo man, we are trying to fundraise, this amount is too much”…. But the guy in charge was like “it’s business.” Imagine! It’s the day off that they pull that card, with no pity at all… what could I do? We had already placed them in the program of the night. So we had to deliver what we promised our guests. So I went ahead, scrambled for some money to give them a 50% advance before they performed. They arrived late, performed only one track, and expected to be paid the entire amount! I was like “heck noh!” gave them 25% of the rest at the end of the party; Not only because the amount we had raised was not enough to pay them much, but also because I was not satisfied with their perfomance…. Long story short: That was another reality-check I had, I was completely disillusioned, and disgusted! Next time, I’ll definitely make sure every cards are set on the table, and we sign an MOU before any palnning.

But man… 3 big events in 3 months, that’s suicidal! Especially, especially since I found myself doing 90% of the work in the background before each of these events, i.e: All the power point presentation, the program of event, the certificates of participation (designed and signed), the guest list, all the invitations drafted, and everything ready-to-execute. I don’t know if you realize how draining that can be. It probably depleted some of my brain cells man. Lol!

That’s why between now and September, I told the team we are taking a break as a team. I am using this time to cool down, self-reflect, restructure, and re-strategize our plan of action. Basically, I’m taking my time to plan well, and act strategically. Before, I was just running after delivering things on time (mind you, they were self-imposed deadlines!) But haste is waste!

So yeah, Harambe-Cameroon: A Dream on a Piece of Paper, becoming a challenging reality. After an entire year in Cameroon, having invested more than $5,000 on this endeavor (i.e. since I had the vision in 2008), I can’t help but feel a pinch in my heart. I can’t help but think of all the self-indulging things I could have done with that money: Afford a spring-break trip to the US; join my friends in South Africa for the World Cup; then go to Kenya to visit another friend, and end my summer with a trip to Ghana to chill with another friend. Yeah, with that money (plus the money my parents bailed me out with), I would have been able to do all those trips. I can’t help but feel that pinch in my heart, that if I had stayed quiet, decided to settle for a stable job, with a stable revenue at the end of the month, I might be doing more stuff I enjoyed doing today – instead of stressing on how to furnish my new office, or pay back another debt (which was a sequel of the previous one).

But I won’t cry over spilt milk! Actually, I don’t think the milk is spilt at all. I’d rather compare it to seeds I’ve planted, that will eventually grow.

My brother, Krystian, gave me a great analogy: It’s like planting a corn seed vs a mango seed.When you plant a corn seed, the corn grows 3 months later, but after you harvest the corn, you have o plant the seed over again. Whereas, when you plant a mango seed, it would take a couple of years to become a mango tree, but once it does, you won’t need to plant it all the time. You just come and harvest every season. That’s how I should view my investment. The return on investment is extremely slow, but it comes, it will be abundant and perennial.

This analogy echoes with the piece of advice Gordon gave me in his latest email…

Let me first say Gordon Johnson is one of my great advisors in the US. He is also the one who, around this period last year, during lunch with him and his wife (Frances) in D.C, he advised me to write a journal about my experiences in Cameroon. So the catalyst of this blog! I’m really thankful for that piece of advice. Now, I can look back at my first entry and notice my evolution throughout the year. Besides, he still takes his precious time to read this blog. He told me he slept at 3am one night trying to catch up with my updates since the 1^st of January 2010. Really, it’s heartwarming. And I thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to meet with people as great as Gordon… Back to my point though, I was saying he told me something in his latest email, that encourages me:

“ Don't fret the delays. One of the things we discovered in our manufacturing business was that developing new products takes twice as long and costs twice as much as we originally predicted, BUT when the product finally does make it into the real world, it lasts twice as long in the market place as we thought it would.”

As per the financial aspect, I know I’m always saying most of the weight is on my back, which is true - For the inauguration it was solely my funds, the 1^st Elevator Pitch Contest – apart from the prizes and room, all the other expenses came from my pocket. Then, came the Fundraising event, which did the opposite of fundraising – it got us negatively broke. looool. (it’s even ridiculous!) Then, the 2^nd Competition: The Solomon Tandeng Muna Foundation offered us their 21^st-century style hall to support our effort to boost Cameroon’s problem-solvers. All in all, financially it’s been heavy on me, but I cannot neglect or ever forget the contributions from friends and family. I’d like to recognize them here, and tell each one of you: THANK YOU!

A great THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, for investing in this endeavor. Some of you, I know, might still not understand “what the heck Olivia is doing in Cameroon”, yet you have invested in this. Others, I know, I have bombarded you with information and stories about Harambe, and you finally decided to contribute. And others do actually want to encourage Cameroon’s youth through this medium that Harambe offers. For most of you who are abroad, I thank you even more, for taking the time, the pain and getting out of your way, in your busy lives, to send a Western Union or Money Gram to Cameroon. Really that act in itself, for me is even more valuable than the amount you sent. I am deeply touched and will be forever grateful for your support! It has gone a long way, whether with printing costs, phone bills, transportation, and paying other services.

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I’d like to acknowledge here by my individual sponsors - individuals who have financially contributed to the success of Harambe-Cameroon throughout its first year:

Mr Emmanuel Mukam, General Manager, CACOCO – BTP (600.000FCFA)

Mrs Jeannette Mukam – Directrice, SIJEL Services (250.000FCFA)

Ms Isabelle Mukam – Marketing Agent, Paris – France (120 E = 78.600FCFA)

Mr Bernard Nkapbella - Director, Authentic Developers Corporation, Yaounde (50.000 FCFA)

Mr Philip Kohn - Entrepreneur, Canada ($100 = 47,591 FCFA)

Ms Sarah Andely - Masters 2010 Alumnus, at Georgetown University, USA ($75 = 35,000 FCFA)

Mrs Aline Djoumessi – DGA, CREATIVE Informatique, Douala (30.000FCFA)

Ms Winnie Magoum – Masters in Law 2009, University of Amsterdam (Holland) ( 40E = 26,000FCFA)

Mr Simplice Suffo – Money Exchange agent, CAMEX, Douala (15.000FCFA)

Mr Edang Jules - Harambe Cameroon’s Elevator Pitch Contest (EPC) – Third Prize (10,000 FCFA)

Mr Leon Mengot, Project Manager, Telecom Engineer, CAMTEL-Cameroon (10£ = 7,000FCFA)

I thank you all for your contributions to this endeavor. Thank you for believing in me, for trusting me, and investing in this initiative.

In the spirit of Harambe, swahili for “coming together”, I invite everyone of you to:

Participate, Engage, Support, and/or Fund.

In addition to cash sponsorships, there are numerous ways you can complement our efforts to engage a generation of problem-solvers, with some of these in-kind help:

- Establish strategic partnerships (connecting us to people who might have a common interest, might add value to, and/or facilitate the implementation of our social entrepreneurship program)

- Printing facilities (printer, scanner, photocopier, paper)

- Office equipments (e.g. chairs, office-table, computer/laptop)

- Transportation (car, taxi-money, gas tickets)

- Business Coaching (strategy, organization planning, business plan writing, marketing skills, event planning)

- Fundraising Experts ( grant writing, and fundraising ideas)

- Telecommunication ( telephone credit)

- Web Hosting and Internet services

- Filming (video camcorder / camera)

- Media Coverage (both local and international)

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Despite all my rambling above, we have accomplished much and there are many great things I'm thankful for...

For 1: We were able to engage many students here. During the last orientation we offered them courses, to help them think creatively, critically, and traslate their ideas into projects. we put them in touch with key institutions that will help them ellaborate on the pitch they presented during the contest (CIFADDEG has offered the top-5 students 5 scholarships to a course in Project management, business planning, and project implementation).

What strikes me the most, though, is to witness how these students have surpassed themselves and done something they thought they couldn't do. For instance, during our first encounter, practically all students we speak to think "it's impossible to say anything in 90 seconds",
then we give them guidelines, advice and tips to make a great pitch, they go home, and the day of the competition they surprise us all with their 90-seconds-to-convince pitches. It has been wonderful to witness that! It made me realize with empirical evidence, that if given the chance, or a platform on which to express themselves, Cameroon's youth has an untapped potential that can advance our communities. For me, when they say "be the change you wanna see", or "be a victor and not a victim", or "be the solution", we have to back those words with a platform on which people can be those principal actors. The beauty of having a highly mediatised social entrepreneurship competition twice a year, attended by potential sponsors, is that it creates a hype around the nation. It creates a competitive atmosphere, which stimulates excellence and creativity. And so, in addition to those proposing business plan ideas at the competition, those at home also engage in the problem-solving excercise, what this does is influence a new way of thinking across the nation: EDUTAINMENT - As my friend, Jaam Fon Honore and also dynamic president of Mey-Low-D (NGO), calls it - Education + Entertainment, and I'll add to that IMPACT + DEVELOPMENT.

Instead of sitting home and waiting for manna to fall from the sky, Cameroonians, who are looking forward to the competition, will be pushed to find a problem in their community they want to solve. U see? I hope u're still with me here... what I'm saying is that, this Social Entrepreneurship Competition, beyond the projects that will be proposed and implemented, will have the capacity of changing the way Cameroonian youths address their problems. As we ask them to "TRANSFORM OUR PROBLEMS INTO OPPORTUNITIES", they will be pushed , through our reward-incentive-system, to be changeagents, the problem-solvers, and the solution-makers to our collective problems. That's my dream... to witness a vibrant generation of problem-solvers, fighters, doers, who take charge... it's Possible, if we all come together, each one putting in their 2 cents... and despite the challenges, this dream on a piece of paper will become a blossoming reality.
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Here's the link of our second competition, on youtube (In French):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56MHBGRD5YM
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Another thing I'm thankful for is the priceless and powerful network we have- whether international with Universities such as Hopkins, Dickinson College, Georgetown, University of Michigan, Williams College (from where we have adherent members and affiliates); or local with the US embassy, Solomon Tandeng Muna Foundation, Royal-Co, Ministries, more than 7 national universities , and many high-caliber indivdiduals. We have made sure to leave a positive image with them, and have a good relationship after our various collaborations.

Plus, I have met movers-and-shakers here that have changed my way of seeing Cameroon and life in general. Whether it's Jean Paul Affana, Coordinator of "Actions vitales Pour un developpement durable", who is a fusion of dynamism and competence. World Bank essay 2009 finalist, Copenhagen-15 participant, and much more internationl travels... He is not even 25 years old yet, but he's making things happen.

Or Melvin Wajiri, Director of Peer Education Program (PEP) - Cameroon, National coorrdinator of dance4life, promoter of the Test 1 million campaign, he's a dynamic Cameroonian, not 35 yet! Relentlessly working to engage Cameroonian youths and fight against AIDS! He's embarked me on his wagon as an independent consultant.

And how can I describe Eugene Ngalim in one paragraph? Eugene has more than 10 things he's doing... Executive Director-CAMYOSFOP (Cameroon Youths For Peace), Commissioner-National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms, Chair/Founder-African Youth Forum for Peace (AYFP), Focal Point - IANSA, Cameroon, Director of Publication - The Voice of Peace Magazine.

The Dynamic duo : Yves Tsala and Christian Rim of "Solutions aux Migrations Clandestines" (SMIC); Asanga Fon, national president of Cameroon Youths For Christ; Jean-Paul Ketch (aka JP2K) of course, doing wonderful things to connect Cameroon's Diaspora in France and those in Cameroon to develop our nation, and always giving me valuable advice about "local realities" in times of need. I cannot forget the president of the National Youth Congress, Adourazack, a leader with poise and remarkable humility. And many others, I can't list all their names here... except my 3 main men, the 3 musketeers...

Michael Ananga, Leon Mengot, and Nfinyo Mabu ... One year ago I didn't know these three men. Today, they are like brothers to me, they are my advisors, my buddies, my bodyguards, my partypeople, my happy people, my intellectual people... I can honestly say I might have skipped a chapter of my life if I hadn't met them. I won't describe them further 'cause their names and credentials are all over this blog.

All in all, I'm thankful to have met like-minded movers-and-shakers of Cameroon this year. With that, l am very hopeful in the future. I'm confident we will start a movement here that would make history!

Finally, I’d like to quote a young dynamic Ghanaian, who is also keeping a blog, and I feel like he’s a twin of mine from another nation, because I relate so much to what he says and goes through. When I read the excerpt of his blog below, I thought I was hearing myself, but with a more eloquent and sophisticated grammar. In his own words ,Mr. Ampofo (Accra/Kumasi, Ghana),: “ I'm a young Ghanaian entrepreneur who is interested in cultivating the entrepreneurial spirit in others as well attracting similar minded individuals towards a common cause - succeeding in our endeavors and helping others less fortunate than us.” - bizmic.blogspot.com

I will conclude this blog-entry with 2 of his posts, from his blog (which you must checkout) BIZMIC (BUSINESS MINDS INVESTMENT CLUB is a youth-oriented investment organization that seeks to foster a vibrant spirit of entrepreneurism and pool together the resources, skills and talents of members into investments into profitable ventures. It is also a business networking and youth outreach community where we will use our successes to pursue philanthropic projects to better the lives of less fortunate individuals. We would encourage your comments thoughts and suggestions) - bizmic.blogspot.com

Read on… The First excerpt:

“I feel as though my mind has been suffering from Mental Malaria: a situation where one’s mental, emotional and physical reserves are almost completely depleted. I dug incredibly deep, far more than I have ever done in my short life so far but it is just not enough. Sometimes I feel as though I have taken a load heavier than I can carry – but how else are my ‘mental muscles’ going to be stronger if I don’t keep surpassing the comfort of those responsibilities that I can do easily. That I am up against incredible odds is a fact, that I don’t have adequate resources is a given but if I want to achieve my goals I must face these odds and locate the necessary resources, be they internal or external. The only other option is utter failure and I decided a long time ago that failure is not an option so now I must bear my load with grace and resolve. We all have our very own loads to carry, but the question is never how heavy the load is but rather how well you carry it. So I will continue to eat my raw fufu chaperoned by puny soup and entertain a temporary proclivity for vegetarianism, for now. It shall be joyless, it shall be unsatisfactory but it is necessary in the meantime because there is always hope for the future, a future filled with the whole shebang; an incredible assortment of exotic meats. The cure for this Mental Malaria is self-evident, I need to take some Mental Chloroquin, and that my friends is a bitter pill indeed!”

And another excerpt of his , which I relate to 100% , and wouldn’t have phrased it better than he did here:

“I am in search of sunrise, I am on a quest for daylight but all around me there is deep dark night. I am only plodding on in the belief that the night is always darkest just before the break of dawn. It will take time, even more tears, pain, sweat, disappointment, failure and the learning curve will be steep indeed. I am bound to trip and scrape myself hundreds of times, I am bound to bleed from several wounds, I am bound to slip down the hill and have only a branch for support. As I am nearing the top I am bound to be cold and be assaulted by freezing winds, I cannot look to anybody to guide me unselfishly, I will have to pay a price for advice. The experience will be nerve wracking, it will be involve a lot of nail biting but THERE IS NO OTHER WAY! There exists no shortcut, I MUST take this long and arduous road alone, but through the tears of blood and pain, and fears that will scar and stain, I WILL GET TO THE TOP. And when I do I will take a deep breath and cry for joy and pray with thanksgiving. Even If I don't make it, I will die knowing that I lived chasing my dreams with all my heart, and that in itself is victory!”

AMEN TO THAT!

Peace and Love.

Olivia