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.
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
