IKEA! Where Are You?!

Almost everything in a new Peace Corps Volunteer’s life is a challenge. Take away the microwave, refridgerator, washer, dryer, car (and electricity/running water/internet for some) and lump that on top of no English, stepping outside of the house is an adventure! Today’s mission: furniture!

Well, I must first clarify that furniture isn’t a one-day mission. In this PCV’s case, it was a three-week mission. As there’s no IKEA, what’s a girl to do? Design her own furniture of course!

On August 21th, my counterpart and I went off to the carpenter for :

• A simple couch
• A desk with a drawer and chair
• A large table for the kitchen (serving as an island – I love islands)
• A kitchen stand for various pot/pan storage

Let me sidetrack you for a bit: Here’s a picture of fellow Adamawa PCV, Andrea Derocco, on my awesome green rug I bought August 26^th:

Andrea rolling around to flatten out my rug in my empty apartment

I spent three separate occasions waiting for the furniture to be delivered but because of rain and well, general uncertainty as the culture is here, the apartment still sat empty. However today, after two weeks of waiting the furniture arrived!

I asked for a simple couch. This is what they thought was simple.

More pictures of the finished apartment soon (not sure when that will be. Again, general uncertainty in this country).

Why Yes, Governor. I Will Take Your Cell Phone Number

One of the first official duties of a new Peace Corps Volunteer is to meet the officials in the respective village, town or city. Thus, Peace Corps provides formal letters to present not only the volunteer, but the other volunteers in the region. While some PCVs have only five or so individuals to meet, I had ten letters to drop off as I’m living in Adamawa’s regional capital.

Though the city has a population of 400,000 habitants, my community host Haouwaou apparently has a connection to everybody. Each Small Enterprise Development Volunteer has a community host which aides the PCV in everything Cameroon-related. Need to make furniture? Community host will take you to their carpenter. Need to work with a women’s group that only speaks the local language? Community host speaks three African mother-tongues. Need to find the offices of the officials and heads of states in Ngaoundere? Community host has a family member working at each one!

First stop was the office of the Police Commissioner. Surprisingly (though not so surprising as I’m learning as the weeks go on), after a ten minute wait, we were let in directly to see the Chief of Police. The Peace Corps name holds much weight, especially in Cameroon where we’ve been invited by the government since 1961. He was quite impressed with my work experience in microfinance and gave me his personal cell phone number in case I was ever in trouble in Ngaoundere.

We continued giving letters to the Prefet, the Commandant of the Gendarmaire, the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, Ministry of Education, and Commissariats. It’s hard to exactly define the equivalents of these governmental positions in the United States, but meeting these officials are along the same lines as meeting the the mayor, city council members, and state officials if I were living in New York City for example.

The highlight of the day came as we were able to meet the Governor of the Adamawa. I thought that we would need an appointment or he would be too busy, but yet again, the Peace Corps letter has power! In English, he told us that he was glad that “such a partnership (between the U.S. Peace Corps and the Cameroonian government) existed because the Peace Corps aides with development at the grassroots level.” Yes!

Governor's business card with his private number...just another day...

He further proceded to give me his personal cell phone number as he wants me to have extra security. Ae the end, he goodbye to and shook the hands of Haouwaou’s baby! Character!

Mingling with the political powers of Ngaoundere? Check. Now I just need furniture in my apartment.

Typical Cost of Living

Per a friend's suggestion, this post will be dedicated to the approximate prices of everyday items here in Ngaoundere. It must be noted; however, than albeit the supermarket has fixed prices, basically everything in Cameroon is negotiable.

5 carrots: 100CFA/$0.20US
Moto ride (~10min): 100CFA/$0.20US
Basil to last me a week: 100CFA/$0.20
5 medium-sized tomatoes: 200CFA/$0.40US
250grams (1/2lb) of spaghetti: 250CFA/$0.50US
Glass of Castel beer: 500CFA/$1US
The Laughing Cow Cheese: 800CFA/$1.60US
Bath mat: 800CFA/$1.60US
1 kilogram (2.2lbs) of beef: 2,000CFA/$4
Steak Dinner: 2,000CFA/$4
Cameroonian soccer jersey and jacket: 4,500CFA/$9US
Material, personal design, and tailoring for an outfit: 5,000CFA/$10US
Really basic cell phone (text/calls): 11,000CFA/$22US
Monthly unlimited internet: 25,0000CFA/$50US

Interesting, no?

Complete Cameroonian Immersion

Fellow Peace Corps Volunteer Andrea DeRocco and I decided to visit Ngaoundere's number one attraction: the Lamido Palace.

With an official PC letter, we were actually let into the Palace for free and given the opportunity to meet the Lamido (the traditional chief). We received a tour of the paintings and buildings and as it was Sunday morning, the officials came together for their weekly meeting. Nice VIP service!

Inside the Lamido Palace

Meeting the Lamido, the traditional chief

Afterwards, I went back to the center of town as I promised, Malyse, my buddy at the supermarket that I would let her do my hair. We bought extensions (yes, extensions) for 1500CFA ($3US) and sat outside for three hours listening to Westlife while I fully became Camerounaise!

With my Cameroonian pagne and new braids!

Later that night, Dali, one of my neighbors took me on a spontaneous tour to meet everyone in the neighborhood of Tongo Pastoral. We spent about 10-15 minutes with each neighbor as everybody complimented my hair! Good day of integration I must say!

Hiking Mount Ngaoundere

A must-do in the city is to hike to the top of Mount Ngaoundere. With the trail located just beyond Place de l'Independence, the ascent is a bit of a climb, but doable for even the most novice climber (i.e. a child could do the hike in less than an hour). Once at the peak, one can discover a beautiful panaromic view of the city.

Peace Corps Volunteers and Cameroonians hiking Mt. Ngaoundere in harmony

Why is My Front Door Being Driven Away By a Motorcycle?

After coming home from buying some necessities for the apartment, my keys got jammed in the front door today. After jiggling for about ten minutes, the security guard of the Capcol bank below me tried his luck with the keys to no avail. The director of the bank saw the situation and went to grab some motorcycle oil to grease up the lock. No go.

So luckily, the director called up his buddy locksmith as I waited outside with my tomatoes and broom. Within fifteen minutes, he showed up and smashed open the dead-bolt with a hammer. "The lock is broken," he said.

After giving him 5,000CFA (~$10) to buy a new lock, I went upstairs to clean up a bit. I heard a loud pounding downstairs and when I arrived, my door was gone! I looked out to the street and the locksmith was on the back of the motorcycle carrying away my door away.

"What's happening?!" I said. "Ca va, ca (It's fine, it's fine)," said the security guard. So I sat in front of the 6 foot-tall hole in front of my apartment..

After half an hour, my door and lock was perfect! C'est Afrique as the saying goes!

Ngaoundere, Cameroun

Located in the the Adamawa of Cameroon's ten regions, I write this post from the city of Ngaoundéré, my new home for the next two years!

With a population of 400,000 habitants, the regional capital sits at the end of the train line to Yaounde and links North and South Cameroon. Named after Mount Ngaoundéré , the city comprises of both Muslim and Christian populations. Interestingly enough, there is also a Norwegian population (thanks to a Norwegian mission) along with a handful of Peace Corps Volunteers!

University of Ngaoundéré

Lamido Palace and Lamido Grand Mosque

The Petite Marché

Each Peace Corps experience is different and I'm looking forward to living and working in the heart of "The Land of Milk and Honey!"

Swearing-In a.k.a. Officially Becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer

It's graduation day! Or it at least it sure feels like it. After 10.5 intensive weeks of training, we are no longer "Peace Corps Trainees" but official "Peace Corps Volunteers!" The PC Swearing-in oath:

"I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic,

That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same,

That I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion,

And that I will well and faithfully discharge my duties in the Peace Corps.

So help me God."

Very official no?

Ben and I reppin' our Peace Corps bags

(actually it's only mine - his bag is just blue)

All 43 of us wore matching pagne tissue.

Each PCV created their own design.

Even my entrepreneur showed up! Old school pic-style!

With the Cameroon Peace Corps Country Director

Small Enterprise Development

Over the course of the past eleven weeks, each Small Enterprise Development trainee has consulted a small business. I had my final meeting with my entrepreneur today who owns a cyber cafe in the center of town. Our major accomplishments included:

-Implementing an accounting system - The most important implementation has been the "cahier de caisse," a simplified method of accounting. He records his expenses and revenues on a daily basis (he didn't write anything down before!) and has been teaching the accounting method to the other employees.

-Performing a SWOT: We conducted a SWOT analysis of the cyber cafe. He is looking into other opportunities such as selling cell phone credit or snacks.

-Looking at benefits versus costs - After having his employees track when, who, and how long each customer uses the computers, we decided it was unnecessary to buy another computer as that would just be an added expense; there would not be enough benefit versus the cost. Thus, the focus is not so much expansion
at the moment, but rather improvement on attracting clientele.

-Budgeting - He has made a personal and business budget - something I think everybody should do!

-And...minus a few fluke expenses this past month, he is making a profit!

With my entrepreneur, Jean Marie and his cyber cafe

We will continue our working relationship as I plan to revisit Bafia in the future. And as a thank you, he gave me a "cadeau" (gift in French): pagne tissue! Time to make another Cameroonian dress!

Cultural Faux Pas

At the Model School Ceremony today, my fellow Peace Corps Trainee Ben Ace went up to introduce his students and their Music Club. Wanting to show support, I yelled out to him. Thus, I cheered "Allez, Ben!" which I thought was "Go, Ben!" in French. Well, though the conjugation was correct, the verb "aller" means "to go" in French. Therefore, I accidently yelled "Go away, Ben!" to the amusement of my higher-level speaking trainees and some Cameroonians. Oops.

I guess the cultural faux pas moments all begin somewhere!

Top 5 Reasons Every Person Needs a Bucket (or at least every PC Volunteer)

1) Laundry...dear goodness...I miss the washing machine and dryer.

2) Bucket bath anyone? There are many methods such as standing in the bucket, soaking just your hair in the bucket, standing on the outside and using a luffa...your choice.

3) Bleaching and iodine-ing vegetables and fruits...duh.

4) The manuel toilet flush - it's all in the wrist.

5) When you're experiencing one of your many foreign diseases and don't have the strength to get out of bed, the bucket is your best friend.

How did I ever live life without my trusty bucket?

Motorized Canoes Anyone?

Peace Corps Training Days

Pictures of a Peace Corps Trainee's life in Bafia, Cameroun:

The postal service vans of Cameroun - festive!

My host mom making kous kous

Shantal and her lovely family that I visit from time to time

My host mom in the traditional kitchen in the backyard

Bike rides in Bafia keep me sane!

One of the awesome kids that sells delicious beignets

The June 2010 Small Enterprise Development Peace Corps Trainees

Bike Ride in Bafia, Cameroon

J'ai Passé Mon Examen de Français

Je suis trés contente! Aujourd'hui j'ai passé mon examen de Francais!

I'm very happy! After speaking in French today about my life in Cameroon and why traveling is important, I passed my exam, thus bringing me one step closer (a big step!) to officially becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer!

Over and out,
Krys
Peace Corps Trainee (hoping to be a volunteer soon!)

Life as a Peace Corps Trainee

It’s Sunday today, or as the Cameroonians like to write: Bafia, le dimanche, 25 juillet 2010 (that could still be wrong though as my Francais is still just a bit…or rather…really, really, weak).

Life as a Peace Corps Trainee in Cameroon consists of eleven weeks of technical, cultural, medical, and language training. I’m up at 6:45AM and in the Peace Corps training center until 4:30PM. Though the evenings are free, it seems that I’m always busy doing something. Here’s a glimpse into reality:

-Small Enterprise Development: I’m currently consulting a cyber café in the center of town. He’s a full-time teacher looking for ways to better manage his business. Thus far, I’ve had him implement a new accounting method (in other words, he didn’t have one before!) and we’ve figured out a few ways to lower his monthly expenses. We speak French, English, and “Franglais” and somehow we make it work!

-Local Language and Culture: It’s necessary to know French, but if you attempt to speak the local language of Bafia and even just say hello (pronounced “Y-um-bay”), they will love you! Did it at the market and received eight tomatoes instead of five for 100CFA – equivalent to about $0.20US. Everything is negotiable here.

-Kids: They love us! Whether I walk home at 4:30PM or 7PM, there’s a seven-year-old that always keeps a look out and accompanies me back to my house. She’s only about three-and-a-half feet tall, but it’s nice having a miniature body guard.

-Current Happenings: I was living in Manhattan and wearing a cocktail dress a few weeks ago…and I need a night out…and thus, I am organizing a discotheque night for the crew. No worries though! I am working hard (see Small Enterprise Development section above).

-Happiness: Watching “Family Matters” in French while reading the magazine “Planete Enfants” has become one of my new favorite activities with my host family.

The most difficult part is the language barrier…and the fact that I really, really miss greasy American food. As we’re only Peace Corps Trainees at the moment, we hope to achieve the honorable status of “Peace Corps Volunteer” soon! On se voit!

Pictures Galore

I already have hundreds, but here are some quick pics and a video of life as a Peace Corps Trainee in Cameroon:

The oxen that block my path home everyday around 5PM

Being Camerounaise with a traditional pagne

On the way to meet the U.S. Ambassador i.e. one of the only times
I've worn makeup or gotten dressed up

My washing machine

Meeting my community host, Haouwou, and her baby!

On the way to Beka, a village outside of Ngaoundere

With two Cameroonians from a Village Savings & Loan Association
I could potentially work with

The Cameroonian landscape on the way to the Adamoua - gorgeous!

Orange County News Article

There are some factual mistakes, but this article provides a quick background on my future work with the Peace Corps:

http://www.ocregister.com/news/business-257329-nguyen-peace.html

Why Is My Blog in Polish?

Throughout my travels, I have frequently updated my blog on a day-to-day basis (or in reality, I've updated months later, but it's still a daily log of my adventures none-the-less!).

With this new Peace Corps experience, I've been at a lost for words (for once in my life). Where do I begin? Everything seems so normal though life is completely different. And also, for some reason, my blog settings have been changed to Polish words, and unfortunately, until I figure out Polish, I can't change anything to English or French. Luckily, I have free internet for the moment!

Pictures will be the next post - I promise!

Ngaoundéré, Cameroon - My New Home!

We are currently spending a week at our posts a.k.a. where we will be working for the next two years. My placement: Ngaoundere, Cameroon!