‘c’est comme ça chez nous’
July 27, 2009
Two weeks ago, I taught a week-long business seminar in Yaoundé, in collaboration with RELUFA, a network aim to reduce poverty in Cameroon. The NGO organized a group of young students who are currently in either high school or university. The seminar is a part of the summer program organized for youth. I had a lot of fun teaching; being…
Read More
Small Luxuries
July 27, 2009
The one thing I know I will miss when I return to the “real world” is the way I find delight in the most minute details of life here. My friend Jérémy, the last of the Frenchies in my area, is leaving in a few weeks and he left the village for good a few days ago. Sad times. Saying…
Read MoreBooks For Cameroon Libraries
June 8, 2009
West Province – Bandenkop Community Library – Lycée de Batié – Cetic de Batié – École Publique de Nso’O – École Publique Bilingue de Bapa – École Catholique St. Jean Baptiste Famgoum II – École Publique de Famgoum I – École Publique Batié – Carrefour – École Publique de Sim Tsela – École Catholique St. Pierre de Lagou-Batié – St.…
Read MoreBusiness Class Success!
May 2, 2009
My first series of business classes came and gone. Thus far, this marks the most concrete and rewarding project I have completed during my service. Since it was the first time for me, it was immensely helpful having Nura, who have taught the class many times, teaching it with me. She guided me through logistics and tips about managing the…
Read More
Les nouvelles du village
May 2, 2009
Hello world! Yes, I am still alive and sincere apologies for the lack of updates this past month. The first part of April was occupied with business classes and other projects; the past two weeks, I was in solitude because I had to give the ghetto charger back to Nura (see previous post) and therefore no working computer, thus disconnected…
Read More
Zap Back Into Reality
April 5, 2009
The only thing about the rain is the higher chances of power disturbances. This past Thursday, a huge storm came through while I was teaching. The class itself was kind of a funny disaster because on top of the fact we were teaching income statement/balance sheet, which no one ever understands, the rain caused loud noises that forced us to…
Read More
Village Love
April 5, 2009
Dry Season Horror I’m wrapped in a fleece blanket with a cup of warm jasmine tea by my side. The rainy season has finally arrived, and I couldn’t be happier. Since around November, I’ve been suffering through the horror that is the dry season. No matter how much I clean, my house is always dirty, as are my feet. The…
Read MoreThe Real World?
March 27, 2009
With one month left to vacation, I’ve been discussing the shock that I am about to endure when I step foot outside of the airport in Paris, then again in Taipei, and repeatedly with each city/village that I visit on the island of Taiwan. These discussions are quite amusing and I thought they are blog-worthy for the readers! Taking a…
Read MoreYes, this conversation IS happening…
March 9, 2009
So the day after International Women’s Day, I walked into down and saw virtually no one during the 30-minute walk, and then during the last three minutes, I passed a guy and he said, “what did you get for me?” I gave him a dirty look and walked away. Then I got to la mairie (the mayor’s office/community center) and…
Read More
International Women’s Day
March 8, 2009
The long awaited IWD is here! A few weeks ago, I purchased the International Women’s Day pagne (fabric) with another woman in village and found a new tailor who made the cutest dress for me! Villagers love that I have a dress made in this pagne, albeit in a western style. I talked to people about what all goes on…
Read More