Kmer 09 - Thoughts, Reflections, Experiences - Speciale: East, Adamawa, North Regions (Part TWO)
Monday, October 5, 2009
- Starting from Bertoua , we go on an elevation till Ngaoundere. Then from Ngaoundere, we start going down, for 11km. This explains the difference in temperature between Ngaoundere and Garoua. Ngaoundere is much cooler than Garoua, since it’s at an altitude. As we go down the hill, you start feeling the heat. Garoua is kindof like in a valley…. You know, I used to think about this like a 5 year-old. When you look at the map of Cameroon, Yaounde is in the South, Bertoua is a little bit higher than Yaounde, amd Ngaoundere further north. So I thought, the more you go North on the map, the hotter it becomes. When actually, a region’s climate doesn’t depend on it’s location on a map, rather on the elevation of your location. Dunno if it makes sense?
- The relief is gorgeous. Vast amounts of greenery.
- I wonder how people get used to wearing large, warm clothes in this weather.
- I admire the fact that the majority of people wear natives (cloths) to work, to school, for everyday activities. It creates a sense of solidarity and decreases, to a certain point, class distinctions. There are certainly other ways high-income people differentiate themselves from the low-incomes. But I feel with the native dress, it’s less conspicuous “who is who.”It’s great to see the low-income young girl looking so elegant in her native cloth; rather than “ruggeddy” in tattered overused Western cloths.
- Planning an advocacy meeting can be really tough. Yes, mobilizing people and agreeing on one method is a tough challenge.
- I see some realities here that you can only see on the field (To be elaborated later… I’m mad tired, my eyes feel like 20 pounds now… more to come)
Wednesday, October 7th
- Today we are starting the Workshops on Capacity building and community involvement. o The room is full with moms, from the Association of Mothers of Students; most of the local media are represented, as well as a half-dozen of local authorities.
- Grassroots workshops naturally demand different methodologies to efficiently pass the word along.
Monday, October 5, 2009
- Starting from Bertoua , we go on an elevation till Ngaoundere. Then from Ngaoundere, we start going down, for 11km. This explains the difference in temperature between Ngaoundere and Garoua. Ngaoundere is much cooler than Garoua, since it’s at an altitude. As we go down the hill, you start feeling the heat. Garoua is kindof like in a valley…. You know, I used to think about this like a 5 year-old. When you look at the map of Cameroon, Yaounde is in the South, Bertoua is a little bit higher than Yaounde, amd Ngaoundere further north. So I thought, the more you go North on the map, the hotter it becomes. When actually, a region’s climate doesn’t depend on it’s location on a map, rather on the elevation of your location. Dunno if it makes sense?
- The relief is gorgeous. Vast amounts of greenery. - I wonder how people get used to wearing large, warm clothes in this weather.
- I admire the fact that the majority of people wear natives (cloths) to work, to school, for everyday activities. It creates a sense of solidarity and decreases, to a certain point, class distinctions. There are certainly other ways high-income people differentiate themselves from the low-incomes. But I feel with the native dress, it’s less conspicuous “who is who.”It’s great to see the low-income young girl looking so elegant in her native cloth; rather than “ruggeddy” in tattered overused Western cloths.
- Planning an advocacy meeting can be really tough. Yes, mobilizing people and agreeing on one method is a tough challenge.
- I see some realities here that you can only see on the field (To be elaborated later… I’m mad tired, my eyes feel like 20 pounds now… more to come)
Wednesday, October 7th
- Today we are starting the Workshops on Capacity building and community involvement. o The room is full with moms, from the Association of Mothers of Students; most of the local media are represented, as well as a half-dozen of local authorities.
- Grassroots workshops naturally demand different methodologies to efficiently pass the word along.
- As Mme Soppo presents the Convention on Children’s Right, she’s involving the members in the crowd. The discussion is:
o Participative – The people talk and express their ideas. It’s not a lecture. o Interactive – There’s a constant exchange between her and the participants.
o The language is very basic and simple.
o Everyone feels involved, and you can tell they are glad their opinion is valued.
o There are many animations in between each discussion. Mothers singing to encourage each speaker. I like the conviviality of it.
- I wonder… If they use these pedagogical techniques in workshops and seminars, why don’t teachers (here in Cameroon) apply these same efficient techniques in their classrooms. i.e. Making classrooms more interactive, encouraging children’s participation, not rejecting answers (or doing so with much subtlety), not always having lectures… it’s a method that works. Why not use it? I think Cameroonian students would much more dynamic, if the pedagogical techniques in their classrooms were ameliorated.
- Techniques of communications are important here.
o I’m watching the same presentations I saw yesterday, but it’s presented in a completely different way; and I’m still interested in the subject matter.
o (Everyone knows Nelson Mandela)
o You have to adapt to the public you are speaking to.
-There’s a practice here in the North I admire: People leave water in a calabash in front of their house, with a cup on top of the closed
calabash/jar, for passersby who are thirsty. The homeowner places water outside so that anyone can come and quench his/her thirst. I admire that spirit of solidarity, and I’m really impressed by the strength of community.
o The problem, however, is that the cup of water that’s placed on the lid of the calabash, is used by everyone. So germs are passed along very easily…Dunno how this issue can be resolved!?
- The Fulanis are a minority in the 3 Northern Province of Cameroon. They consist only 30% of the population ; yet, everyone speaks Fufulbe (the Fulani language) in these 3 regions.
o Fulbe = Peul = Fulani
o Mbororo = subdivision of Fulanis = Herders
- I’m facing a dilemma here between, on one hand: drinking water and going frequently to the not-very-hygienic restroom; on the other: dehydrating myself and avoiding the bathroom-confrontation. Without these warm temperatures, I’d be inclined to choose the second option, but the heat constantly prompts me to my water bottle… Bummer!
- I sincerely do not understand men…. How can someone put his position in jeopardy because he admires a woman. Really? I can’t wrap my mind around this… It is borderline pathetic!
- I really like the democratic ways these workshops are structured: At the end of the day, participants have to fill out a “Humometre”
– Basically a 5 by 4 Table, on which each participant checks if they are Satisfied/Indifferent/Dissatisfied about the Content/Facilitators/Participation/Logistics of the workshop. It gives the participants the chance to voice out their opinion anonymously, and it’s great feedback for us, the organizers, to ameliorate the next day’s workshop.
- In the morning, at the beginning of the day’s program, we read a report of the previous day. The report highlights all the subject discussed the previous day, and the resolutions that were passed. Then there’s the more entertaining Report of the previous day called: “The Eyes Saw…” and “The Ears Heard…” It’s so entertaining ‘cause the women jot down things their eyes saw happening behind the scenes, e.g. “The eyes saw the 2 supervisors splitting a piece of chicken in 2.” And for “The Ears Heard”, it goes, “The Ears Heard… a woman falling off her chair in the back of the room.” Lol. Something like that. So when it’s read in the morning, it’s an “lol-session.” People giggle and laugh at some of the observations… and the day starts in a jovial mood.
- I am impressed by the way these workshops are organized. Impressed
because I left Yaounde (and even the US) with many misconceptions and prejudices about development agencies, and grassroots organizations in developing countries. Based on books I’ve read during my college years on development and failures of NGOs in Africa, I thought practices like – follow-up after conferences, accountability, and participative methods - were inexistent. I thought the lack of those factors were the ultimate causes of failure of projects. But these workshops I’m organizing and attending make me realize I might have over-generalized.
- Now, I can’t also generalize that all workshops happen the way this one did. I can’t make that affirmation because this is only the first grassroots seminar I’ve attended in Cameroon. What I can do rather, is congratulate the organizers for the democratic, participative and interactive methods they used to conduct these workshops. I’m definitely much edified and positively surprised.
- I’m prompted to ask again, what goes wrong with development works? Is it things going wrong on the macro-level? Is it the failure to scale up pragmatic and efficient techniques? Is it the overwhelming abundance of problems that make any successful story practically insignificant? Or is it, essentially, a leadership deficit? I can’t make any conclusions… all I can do for now is raise questions.
- One thing I can definitely say at the end o
f my mission trip is that, to gain the maximum of the experience and to survive with sanity, you have to both anesthetize your 5 senses, and keep them alert. i.e. On one hand: Don’t smell nothing, don’t see nothing, don’t taste nothing, don’t feel nothing, and don’t hear nothing. This way, you will adapt to all circumstances and deal pragmatically with your obstacles: You would eat in areas you might find uncomfortable, you would sleep in places you might find inadequate, you would work n places that don’t smell like roses… and so on… Yet still, on the other hand, you must keep your 5 senses alert, i.e, observe people’s conducts and practices, listen to what’s being said, taste the delicacies (or not) of the region, feel the daily struggles and delights of the ordinary man, and smell the stench, as well as the fresh breath of your surrounding…. 
That’s how I made the best of my 12 days experience in the East – Adamawa- and North Regions of Cameroon!!!
- I hope you enjoyed reading this, as much as I enjoyed writing it….
Peace and Love,
Olivia
o Participative – The people talk and express their ideas. It’s not a lecture. o Interactive – There’s a constant exchange between her and the participants.
o The language is very basic and simple.
o Everyone feels involved, and you can tell they are glad their opinion is valued.
o There are many animations in between each discussion. Mothers singing to encourage each speaker. I like the conviviality of it.
- I wonder… If they use these pedagogical techniques in workshops and seminars, why don’t teachers (here in Cameroon) apply these same efficient techniques in their classrooms. i.e. Making classrooms more interactive, encouraging children’s participation, not rejecting answers (or doing so with much subtlety), not always having lectures… it’s a method that works. Why not use it? I think Cameroonian students would much more dynamic, if the pedagogical techniques in their classrooms were ameliorated.
- Techniques of communications are important here.
o I’m watching the same presentations I saw yesterday, but it’s presented in a completely different way; and I’m still interested in the subject matter.
o (Everyone knows Nelson Mandela)
o You have to adapt to the public you are speaking to.
-There’s a practice here in the North I admire: People leave water in a calabash in front of their house, with a cup on top of the closed
calabash/jar, for passersby who are thirsty. The homeowner places water outside so that anyone can come and quench his/her thirst. I admire that spirit of solidarity, and I’m really impressed by the strength of community.o The problem, however, is that the cup of water that’s placed on the lid of the calabash, is used by everyone. So germs are passed along very easily…Dunno how this issue can be resolved!?
- The Fulanis are a minority in the 3 Northern Province of Cameroon. They consist only 30% of the population ; yet, everyone speaks Fufulbe (the Fulani language) in these 3 regions.
o Fulbe = Peul = Fulani
o Mbororo = subdivision of Fulanis = Herders
- I’m facing a dilemma here between, on one hand: drinking water and going frequently to the not-very-hygienic restroom; on the other: dehydrating myself and avoiding the bathroom-confrontation. Without these warm temperatures, I’d be inclined to choose the second option, but the heat constantly prompts me to my water bottle… Bummer!
- I sincerely do not understand men…. How can someone put his position in jeopardy because he admires a woman. Really? I can’t wrap my mind around this… It is borderline pathetic!
- I really like the democratic ways these workshops are structured: At the end of the day, participants have to fill out a “Humometre”
– Basically a 5 by 4 Table, on which each participant checks if they are Satisfied/Indifferent/Dissatisfied about the Content/Facilitators/Participation/Logistics of the workshop. It gives the participants the chance to voice out their opinion anonymously, and it’s great feedback for us, the organizers, to ameliorate the next day’s workshop.
- In the morning, at the beginning of the day’s program, we read a report of the previous day. The report highlights all the subject discussed the previous day, and the resolutions that were passed. Then there’s the more entertaining Report of the previous day called: “The Eyes Saw…” and “The Ears Heard…” It’s so entertaining ‘cause the women jot down things their eyes saw happening behind the scenes, e.g. “The eyes saw the 2 supervisors splitting a piece of chicken in 2.” And for “The Ears Heard”, it goes, “The Ears Heard… a woman falling off her chair in the back of the room.” Lol. Something like that. So when it’s read in the morning, it’s an “lol-session.” People giggle and laugh at some of the observations… and the day starts in a jovial mood.
- I am impressed by the way these workshops are organized. Impressed
because I left Yaounde (and even the US) with many misconceptions and prejudices about development agencies, and grassroots organizations in developing countries. Based on books I’ve read during my college years on development and failures of NGOs in Africa, I thought practices like – follow-up after conferences, accountability, and participative methods - were inexistent. I thought the lack of those factors were the ultimate causes of failure of projects. But these workshops I’m organizing and attending make me realize I might have over-generalized. - Now, I can’t also generalize that all workshops happen the way this one did. I can’t make that affirmation because this is only the first grassroots seminar I’ve attended in Cameroon. What I can do rather, is congratulate the organizers for the democratic, participative and interactive methods they used to conduct these workshops. I’m definitely much edified and positively surprised.
- I’m prompted to ask again, what goes wrong with development works? Is it things going wrong on the macro-level? Is it the failure to scale up pragmatic and efficient techniques? Is it the overwhelming abundance of problems that make any successful story practically insignificant? Or is it, essentially, a leadership deficit? I can’t make any conclusions… all I can do for now is raise questions.
- One thing I can definitely say at the end o
f my mission trip is that, to gain the maximum of the experience and to survive with sanity, you have to both anesthetize your 5 senses, and keep them alert. i.e. On one hand: Don’t smell nothing, don’t see nothing, don’t taste nothing, don’t feel nothing, and don’t hear nothing. This way, you will adapt to all circumstances and deal pragmatically with your obstacles: You would eat in areas you might find uncomfortable, you would sleep in places you might find inadequate, you would work n places that don’t smell like roses… and so on… Yet still, on the other hand, you must keep your 5 senses alert, i.e, observe people’s conducts and practices, listen to what’s being said, taste the delicacies (or not) of the region, feel the daily struggles and delights of the ordinary man, and smell the stench, as well as the fresh breath of your surrounding…. 
That’s how I made the best of my 12 days experience in the East – Adamawa- and North Regions of Cameroon!!!
- I hope you enjoyed reading this, as much as I enjoyed writing it….
Peace and Love,
Olivia
Olivia! What a wonderful blog. I'm so happy that you are doing these great things. Keep it up and you'll be running the country before you know it!
ReplyDeleteIt's also so nice to see pics of Cameroon. I miss it more than I'd like to admit.
Ms. Nessel
Salut olivia. J'ai decouvert ton blog aujourdhui et je suis tellement fiere de toi!!! Beaucoup de courage; continu; tu me fais reconsiderer mon point de vue sur le pouvoir des actions que nous pouvons entreprendre au Cameroun. C'est plus facile de penser que rien n'est possible au pays et que tout est bloque. C'est plus facile de jouer les victimes spectatrices. Merci pour pour cette dynamique qui aujourdhui m'interpelle profondement.
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