Educare-Africa Center in Tatum

Finally our dream will come true and it will greatly improve our work in Cameroon.

EDUCARE-AFRICA CENTER, Tatum, Northwest province, Cameroon

To whom it concern;

1. Why did we decide to establish this Center? In 2007, two rooms in the house that we have been using for the past 3-4 years were already rented when we arrived so we were forced to use a large parlor, which was without ceiling, very drafty and had many leaks. That was a hint that we needed to look for our own place.
   
   
2. What do we plan for the Center?
   

• Educare-Africa office, of course
• Public library with public internet services
• A dormitory for 12 outstanding female students
• Computer lab for teaching students, teachers and the public
• Several guest rooms
• Housekeeper, who will live on the grounds and take care of things, work on the farm, garden, etc. with our students’ assistance; Couple dogs for security and great company;
• Farm, Vegetable garden, fruit trees, poultry, some animals to raise food and generate some funds to keep the place sustainable;

Mr. Emmanuel Sunjo, our national coordinator in Cameroon, is finishing the project proposal with an estimate for the first phase.

Executive Summary Trip 2006

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Of my 7th trip to Cameroon from May 21st to June 30th, 2006.
By Pavla Zakova-Laney, President of EDUCARE-AFRICA

1. On May 22nd, 2006 I arrived successfully in Yaounde, Cameroon. Emmanuel Sunjo & 2 other gentlemen waited for me at the airport and drove me to a rest house. The next day I met the US ambassador, his deputy and security chief to make plans for my safe stay in Cameroon.
2. On May 31st, our former director’s services were finally terminated thanks to a great lawyer, Mr. Sama Francis Asanga. On June 3rd I arrived in Tatum. Fred Tume, a zookeeper at Yaounde ZOO, accompanied me all the way from Yaounde and assisted me. He took 17 days off his work to serve.
3. Basic school supplies for 65 best students from G.H.S. Tatum were purchased at Kumbo and given during a prize giving ceremony on June 7th. Donated clothes, and a few other donations were distributed to 17 students. 86 students received financial assistance for their immediate needs such as school fees, G.C.E. registration fees, rent, kerosene, food, school uniforms, shoes and transport back to their villages. 35 staff members from G.H.S. Tatum received pens for encouragement. Six stop watches were purchased for the physics department.
4. I met with the new principal, Mr. Emmanuel Njei and the staff to brief them on Gilbert’s termination and our plans. Students, staff and parents were all very happy with the new principal, who has been working very hard since he came to Tatum.
5. At this time, since I had no one to work with, we were not accepting new applications. I met with 96 students and some of their parents to inform them that Gilbert was no longer our director and that the students chosen for assistance who did not receive any support this year would be placed on our priority list for the next academic year. They would be the first ones to get assistance in September 2006 as soon as we have enough funds.
A printed note was sent to students from Ndu, G.S.S. Ntumbaw, G.S.S. Mbu-warr and several other schools, which we could not reach during my visit.
6. Emmanuel Sunjo & I also met with our students from Yaounde & Buea Universities and from schools around Bamenda to inform them about our former director’s termination and our plans for the future.
7. A foundation for a new Educare-Africa team was laid, thanks to Emmanuel Sunjo and other caring Cameroonians. This summer, 2 new employees will be hired: an administrative assistant, a female, who will be handling finances and an executive field coordinator, who will assist the students. Whenever possible, we would pay the school fees directly to the schools. We already have established a board of 9 directors from Yaounde, Douala, Bamenda, Kumbo & Tatum, who will oversee the operations in Cameroon. We will have a new office location with time. We will open a bank account with the Amity Bank in Cameroon to avoid high Western Union charges in the future.

UPCOMING ASSISTANCE: We want to assist about 220 secondary/high school students, around 40 high school graduates, who would like to continue their education and about 35 university students. Approximately $30,000 by the end of September 2006 would take care of these children’s essential educational needs.
We want to avoid any challenges associated with volunteer work in Cameroon and therefore both our new Cameroonian employees will be paid on regular basis based on our contract with them. In addition, we will be renting a small office. For these reasons, we will need a regular monthly income to cover these necessary expenses.

Pavla Zakova-Laney,
Founder, President, Executive director &
Full-time volunteer of EDUCARE-AFRICA

Albany, July 7, 2006

Executive Summary Trip 2007

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Of my 8th trip to Cameroon from May 17th to July 7th, 2007.
By Pavla Zakova-Laney, President of EDUCARE-AFRICA

1. On May 18th, 2007 I arrived successfully in Yaounde, Cameroon. Emmanuel Sunjo, our country coordinator, picked me up at the airport and drove me to a rest house. The next day Emmanuel and I made plans for my safe stay and activities in Cameroon. There were three holidays in a row so I was not able to exchange travelers checks until Tuesday, May 22nd.
2. On May 22nd I traveled with Calvin Hohn (Dr. Bonnlander’s son-in-law) from Yaounde to Bamenda, which saved us some precious funds so I was very grateful. The next day I met our new executive field coordinator, Mr. Kevin Mbile. He is gentle, humble, forgiving and understanding. I also visited our new office. We need office equipment and furniture. We ordered a photocopy machine during my trip. Thanks to Ludwig Teichgraber from Canada, we received donations of 4 computers, 29 boxes of university level textbooks and some wood for bookshelves – and more blessings are on the way.
3. Basic school supplies for 58 best students from G.H.S. Tatum & G.S.S. Nseh were purchased and given during prize giving ceremonies on May 31st & June 1st. Donated clothes, and other donations were distributed to 33 students. 125 students benefited from donated pens and 5 Joy & Success Clubs in various schools received donated spiritual books and Daily Word magazines. 56 students received financial assistance for their immediate needs such as school fees, G.C.E. registration fees, rent, kerosene, food, school uniforms, shoes and transport back to their villages. 39 staff members from G.H.S. Tatum, 18 from G.S.S. Mbu-warr & 12 from G.S.S. Ntumbaw received pens for encouragement. 19 secondary and high school textbooks and 16 Bibles were purchased as well as more science lab equipment for the Science Laboratory in Tatum. A new soccer ball donated by Ms. Cathy Edmonston was given to the school sport prefect during the prize giving ceremony. The P.T.A. built the Science Lab building, which is almost completed. Much more science lab equipment is needed for the lab to be fully functional by September 2007. Funds for 26 students on our priority list were set aside to pay school fees directly to the schools in September. Two Wellesley College Book Awards were given to the two best female science students from GHS Tatum and GBHS Kumbo.
4. On May 26th Kevin and I arrived in Tatum and went to school for the P.T.A. (Parents Teachers Association) meeting to inform the parents and the staff about all the blessings and our planned activities.
5. Since we had so many students on our list and we could not assist them all, we decided not to accept any more new male students this year and only a few outstanding female students. We want to be able to assist all we choose. Kevin and I took a vehicle to several schools, where our students attend to inform them about purchasing re-applications and follow up steps.
6. On June 19th we met with our students at Bambili, on July 1st with university students in Yaounde and on July 2nd with students in Buea. In Tatum, we met and discussed with students and parents on June 23rd, 24th, 26th & 27th. We met with In Harmony scholars and their parents on June 25th. During my trip we chose 135 students. Kevin will continue to meet and discuss with the students I was not able to meet with. Our list for 2007/2008 will be finalized by August 15th, 2007.
7. We had our first board meeting on June 20th and together, we made some changes for the up coming years. We will accept eligible students from secondary schools and take them all the way through higher education (university, ENS, teachers training colleges, professional schools, etc.) as long as they will be eligible and will perform well morally and academically. Our goal is to assist 60% female and 40% male students. We have now 5 board members and 5 representatives in various locations in Cameroon.
8. We concluded that for our work to be more efficient, we want to build an Educare-Africa Center in Tatum which will consist of a public library, computer and internet lab, our office, a few guest rooms, a small girls’ dormitory, a housekeeper, house & a guest family apartment for rent, a farm, garden, poultry, fruit trees, animals, several dogs and a garage. We are negotiating right now for a piece of land above the school farm. We also have an estimate for a vehicle since transportation is essential for our activities. MIVA in Switzerland assists non-governmental organizations with half of the funds for a vehicle. Our number one choice is a used Toyota Hilux double cabin pickup. I have a photograph available along with the estimate. We will need about $8,500 to purchase the vehicle and $2,800 for registration, necessary documents, insurance, tires, fuel, maintenance and unforeseen expenses for the first year.
9. As a side project, I brought a few collars, leashes, flea collars and kind donations of vitamins, de-worming tablets and flea treatment from the Reid Veterinary Hospital in Albany to give to Justin Tagne at the Cameroon Baptist Center in Bamenda. He assisted over 22 dogs with these in addition to assisting the owners with the bathing of the dogs and advising them on exercise, food and places to stay. I took photographs of all these dogs. Justin has also been helping stray dogs. I met a local veterinarian, Dr.Munki Julius Nfor, who is a coordinator for a non-profit group SPALE, P.O. BOX 5170 NKWEN BAMENDA, CAMEROON; TEL(237)75 14 92 85, which also assists stray dogs. Perhaps next year, we will be able to assist more dogs and maybe even cats. In Cameroon most people do not know how to take proper care of animals and many are afraid of dogs and do not respect any animals.

UPCOMING ASSISTANCE: We want to assist about 120 secondary/high school students and about 35 university students. Approximately $18,000 by mid September 2007 would take care of these children’s essential educational needs. Since the deadline for payment of the school fees is in mid September, it would be the best to have the funds available before September 15th. When the school fees and the GCE exam registration fees are not paid in time, students are often sent home from school, which has a detrimental effect on their exam results.
As soon as we will have a project proposal and an estimate for our Center in Tatum, we will inform you. We have a rough sketch of the Center available.

Pavla Zakova-Laney,

Founder and full-time volunteer President &

Executive Director of Educare-Africa

Albany, July 11, 2007

Executive Summary Trip 2008

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Of my 9th trip to Cameroon from May 17th to July 7th, 2008.
By Pavla Zakova-Laney, President of EDUCARE-AFRICA

1. On May 18th, 2008 I arrived successfully in Yaounde, Cameroon. Mrs. Gladys Sunjo, wife of our country coordinator, picked me up at the airport and drove me to a rest house. There were two holidays in a row so I was not able to go to the bank until Wednesday, May 21st.
2. On May 22nd Mr. Kevin, our field coordinator, and I traveled by public transport overnight to Bamenda, where the Moneygram finally released our funds. Thanks to Ericka LaManna, a dedicated teacher from Texas, we received 18 boxes with donations of school supplies and school bags. More blessings are on the way and will arrive in Cameroon around mid-July. Among them are 50 boxes with university level textbooks, some school supplies, two filing cabinets, a new printer and office supplies for our office.
3. Basic school supplies for the 90 best students from G.H.S. Tatum, G.S.S. Nseh and G.H.S. Ntumbaw were purchased and given during prize giving ceremonies on May 29th and 30th. Donated school bags, toothbrushes and other donations were distributed to 65 students. 6 Joy & Success Clubs in various schools received donated spiritual books and Daily Word magazines. 41 students received financial assistance for their immediate needs such as school fees, G.C.E. registration fees, rent, kerosene, food, school uniforms, shoes and transport back to their villages. About 100 staff members from G.H.S. Tatum, G.S.S. Nseh and G.H.S. Ntumbaw received pens and some colored chalk for encouragement. More science lab equipment for the Science Laboratory in Tatum was purchased and we learned that for the first time, science students from the examination classes were able to do the practical exams at the school lab. Some textbooks for higher classes will be purchased in August from the funds we set aside from Trip 2008. Funds for 25 students on our priority list and other students were set aside to pay school fees directly to the schools in September. Two Wellesley College Book Awards were given to the two best female science students from G.B.H.S. Ndu and G.B.H.S. Kumbo.
4. On May 28th Kevin and I arrived in Tatum. On May 29th and 30th we went to five schools to inform the students about re-applications, scholarship applications for new students and we also distributed prizes in three of them. On Saturday, May 31st, we went to school for the P.T.A. (Parents Teachers Association) meeting to inform the parents and the staff about all the blessings and our planned activities.
5. During our annual board meeting on June 16th in Bamenda, we decided to raise the annual required averages for all the classes. In addition, to inspire more outstanding female students to apply, we will prepare a special monetary prize next year for a female student from form three with an average of at least 17.5/20. Our goal is to assist 60% female and 40% male students. For the 2008/2009 academic year, we gave an opportunity to 20 new male and 40 female students to apply for scholarships.
6. On June 13th we met with our students at Bambili, on June 29th with university students in Yaounde and on July 1st with students in Buea. In Tatum, we met and discussed with students and parents on June 20th, 21st, 23rd, 24th and 25th. We met with In Harmony scholars on June 22nd. During my trip we chose 126 students. Kevin will continue to meet and discuss with the students I was not able to meet with. Our list for 2008/2009 will be finalized by August 15th, 2008.
7. A project proposal with an estimate for the first phase of building the Educare-Africa Center in Tatum is almost completed and will be mailed to our office in the United States within the next four weeks. It will consist of a public library, computer and internet lab, our office, a few guest rooms, a small girls’ dormitory, a housekeeper house & a guest family apartment for rent, a farm, garden, poultry, fruit trees, animals, several dogs and a garage. We purchased a piece of land above the school farm. We also decided we will begin setting aside some funds each time we send funds to Cameroon for our first vehicle Toyota Hilux double cabin pickup. We need about $8,500 to purchase the vehicle and $2,800 for registration, necessary documents, insurance, tires, fuel, maintenance and unforeseen expenses for the first year.
9. As a side project, Justin Tagne from the Cameroon Baptist Center in Bamenda and I drove around town on Sunday, June 15th with a veterinarian he works with and we saw 24 dogs and their owners Justin has been assisting in one way or other. Justin has also been helping stray dogs. The Reid Animal Hospital in Albany donated again some equipment, vitamins, de-worming tablets and flea treatment. These will arrive on a sea container sometime later in July. Justin will continue to work with veterinarian, Dr.Munki Julius Nfor, who is a coordinator for a non-profit group SPALE, P.O. BOX 5170 NKWEN BAMENDA, CAMEROON; TEL(237)75 14 92 85, which also assists stray dogs. I will contact other veterinary clinics in Albany to see if they would be willing to help as well.
UPCOMING ASSISTANCE: We want to assist about 130 secondary/high school students and about 30 university students. Approximately $18,000 by mid September 2008 would take care of these students’ essential educational needs. Since the deadline for payment of the school fees is in mid September, it would be the best to have the funds available before September 15th. When the school fees and the GCE exam registration fees are not paid in time, students are often sent home from school, which has a detrimental effect on their exam results.
As soon as we will have a project proposal and an estimate for our Center in Tatum, we will inform you.

Pavla Zakova-Laney,
Founder, Full-time volunteer President & Executive director of EDUCARE-AFRICA

Albany, July 13, 2008

Donate Through Justgive.org

Educare Africa makes it easy for you to donate via the web by using JustGive.org.

Thanks for your contribution!

We will use these resources to:

• buy textbooks in Cameroon (they are not available in the U.S.A.)
• purchase school supplies in Cameroon (it saves $ for shipping)
• assist needy students with paying for rent, food, clothing, kerosene, health care, shoe repair, transport to their villages when school is over
• assist brilliant students in applying to American colleges

Other Help

• You can also sponsor an individual student(s) either monthly or annually.
• If you know a group, club, leadership class, youth or women's group interested in our volunteer work in Cameroon, please contact Pavla [email: pavlazl@comcast.net ; or phone: (541) 924-9290] to set up a presentation about her Peace Corps and Educare-Africa activities in Cameroon.
• If you or someone you know would travel to Cameroon, you can bring some of these donations with you and drop them at Peace Corps office in Yaounde (near the Omnisport Stadium). Write on them “For EDUCARE-AFRICA,” attn. Cyprian. He will take care of these donations.
• You can become a PEN PAL for a student in Cameroon. They would love to have pen friends. Or you can find some pen friends and let us know. What you need to do to become a pen friend is to write a letter with your name, address, photograph and information about yourself (age, school, interests, family, beliefs, etc.) and send it to EDUCARE-Africa. We will find a match for you and you can just wait for your reply from a student from Cameroon.

Mission Statement

Mission

To improve living and learning conditions for the students and teachers in Cameroon today so that the students can successfully complete their education and then can help their country. In addition, to promote peace, cross-cultural understanding, love and unity of all people.

“I am dedicating myself to the love of God and the love of my neighbor as myself.
I am dedicating myself to serving ‘the least of these my brethren,’ and the greatest along with the least.”

Joel S. Goldsmith, Consciousness Is What I Am