Brief Summary of the 11th Trip

I missed two flights this year due to bad weather in the United States and instead of arriving on May 14th as planned I arrived in Yaounde, Cameroon on May 16th at 2:30 a.m. Mr. Emmanuel Sunjo, our country coordinator, picked me up at the airport and drove me to a rest house. The following day I got our funds which were sent through Moneygram.
I waited for my luggage until May 20th but then I had to travel to Bamenda for our first prize giving ceremony at G.B.H.S. Atiela. Mr. Kevin brought the good news about my suitcases on May 22nd. I traveled overnight to Yaounde to pick them up at the airport and traveled again overnight back to Bamenda on May 23rd.

On May 25th Mr. Kevin, Thomas Maika, one of our former students who assisted us this year, and I visited G.H.S. Tabenken for the first time. There is no electricity and no tap water and the school is located in a beautiful but remote area in the Northwest Region.

Basic school supplies for the 69 best students from G.B.H.S. Atiela, G.B.H.S. Tatum, G.S.S. Nseh and G.H.S. Ntumbaw were purchased and given during prize giving ceremonies on May 21st, 27th and 28th. Donated toothbrushes, toothpaste and other donations were distributed to 62 students. 23 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 to their villages. About 100 students received pens and pencils. About 220 staff members from G.B.H.S. Atiela , G.B.H.S. Tatum, G.S.S. Nseh and G.H.S. Ntumbaw received pens for encouragement. Each school also received four boxes of chalk. Two new microscopes for G.H.S. Ntumbaw and some new essential textbooks were also purchased for the students from G.S.S. Mbu-Warr. Funds for 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 best female science students from G.H.S. Ntumbaw and G.B.H.S. Ndu.

On Saturday, May 29th, we met with our students at G.B.H.S. Kumbo. On June 12th we met with our students from Bamenda and Bambili, and on July4th with university students in Yaounde. In Tatum, we met and discussed with students and parents on June 21st, 22nd, 24th, and 25th. On June 20th I presented two Wellesley Book Awards to the best female science students from G.B.H.S. Ndu and G.H.S. Ntumbaw. During my trip we chose 83 students to assist. We will continue to look for more outstanding female students for the next academic year.

On June 26th we had our annual board meeting in our head office in Bamenda. Partnership between Educare-Africa U.S.A. and Educare-Africa Cameroon was discussed and a plan of action for the next academic year was made.

Three short wave radios donated by a non-profit group in North Carolina called the Ears to Our World were handed over to staff members at G.H.S. Tabenken, G.S.S. Nseh and G.H.S. Ntumbaw which are located in remote parts of the Northwest Region of Cameroon.

For the first time, one of our former students, Ndzeidze Thomas Maika, assisted us during my annual trip. Thomas defended in February his master’s degree in microbiology from University of Buea. Following is his account of his experiences:
“It was an exciting experience assisting in the distribution of donations to the deserving schools and students. The registration process for 2010-2011 and the partnership agreements with the parents also went through successfully.
However, we met with a handful of challenges which are hampering the smooth functioning of this gesture. Some of the schools visited are running without basic science laboratories making it difficult for science students to continue there after their ordinary level GCE exams. In addition, career counseling, sex education especially that of girl children, moral and environmental education, Aids/HIV prevention education amongst others also need a greater push.

Finally, the roads were too rough for our rented cars. As we will be looking forward to putting in place these aspects, we plead for more funds as well as for a car to facilitate their realization.”

On June 7th, Mr. Kevin, Thomas, five students and I visited Kitiwum, Thomas’s village, where we took a part in a graduation and prize giving ceremony at their Primary school. We presented the staff with some pens and a few boxes of chalk.

As a side project, Justin Tagne from the Cameroon Baptist Center in Bamenda and I organized the handing over of donations from the Reid Veterinary Hospital, Albany Animal Hospital, Periwinkle Pet Clinic in Albany and Hopes Haven Rescue group in Salem. About 15 dog owners, breeders and veterinarians participated. 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 and other animals in need. Dog Whisperer DVDs have been shown to many dog owners and lovers in Bamenda and Tatum.

UPCOMING ASSISTANCE: We hope to assist about 125 secondary/high school students and about 25 university students. Approximately $10,000 by mid September 2010 would take care of these students’ essential educational needs. Since the deadline for payment of school fees is in mid September, it would be desirable 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.

You can view a speech of Mr. Kevin Mbile, our field coordinator, in Tatum during our discussions with parents and students on a video clip below:

Photos from the 2010 Cameroon Trip:

Visit at G.S.S. Mbu-Warr

On June 23rd, Mr. Kevin, Mr. Buhnyuy, our board member, Thomas Maika, our former student, and Pavla visited G.S.S. Mbu-Warr. The principal, some staff members, traditional ruler, parents and students welcomed us. We met and discussed with parents and students, donated some new textbooks for the students, several speeches were made, songs sung and a traditional dance performed. At the end we enjoyed some refreshment prepared by the parents.
You can view some of the activities on the video clips below:

New Science Equipment for G.H.S. Ntumbaw

Two new microscopes were purchased and given to G.H.S. Ntumbaw during the prizegiving ceremony on May 28th, 2010.
You can view a video clip below:

More Radios Given to Schools

Three more short wave radios were donated by the Ears To Our World and given to the following schools in remote parts of Cameroon:

1. G.H.S. Tabenken
2. G.S.S. Nseh
3. G.H.S. Ntumbaw

You can view the handing over ceremonies below:

Wellesley College Book Award

Following two best female science students received the Book Award this year:

1. Solange Mallah from G.H.S. Ntumbaw
2. Ntashei Saharatu Nfor from G.B.H.S. Ndu

You can view the ceremonies on the video clips below:

Prizegiving

This year we gave prizes, which consist of basic school supplies, to the best two students in each class in following four schools:

1. G.B.H.S. Atiela (for the first time)
2. G.B.H.S. Tatum
3. G.H.S. Ntumbaw
4. G.S.S. Nseh

You can view some of these activities on the video clips below:

Pavla's side project - Helping Animals

As a side project, Justin Tagne from the Cameroon Baptist Center in Bamenda and Pavla organized the handing over of donations from the Reid Veterinary Hospital, Albany Animal Hospital, Periwinkle Pet Clinic in Albany and Hopes Haven Rescue group in Salem. About 15 dog owners, breeders and veterinarians participated. On Sunday, June 13th Justin, Dr. Ghogomu and Pavla drove around Bamenda and treated about 20 dogs including some puppies. You can view some of these activities on the video clips below.

Ndzeidze Thomas Maika - Part II

ANOTHER BREAK THROUGH

The journey was long, rough, frustrating and almost seemingly unattainable. However, as Hill puts it "A QUITTER NEVER WINS-AND-A WINNER NEVER QUITS." This "big hit" which I dedicate to all of you, you who gave your one, two, three or more francs, dollars, or pounds to see this come to pass and you who made the effort whether it be human, material and/or spiritual to see this come to pass.

On the 17th of February, 2010, I stood before a jury to defend a Masters thesis, entitled "HAEMATOLOGICAL CHANGES IN MALARIA TREATED AND UNTREATED CHILDREN RESIDING IN MUEA." I must say, the work was highly applauded and I was requested to publish the work to give it widest publicity. This work, I believe, will help ameliorate the management and also add knowledge to the study of malaria.

While I look for a job as well as look forward to doing a doctorate degree in Public Health, I dedicate myself to the service of Educare-Africa, the NGO which made it possible for you to render your invaluable support to the accomplishment of this piece of work.

May I ask you; how and for what have you been using your resources? The amelioration of the educational situation of the children in Cameroon is surely a fertile ground to sow a seed.

I know there are millions of people who can help these intelligent and highly enthusiastic but less fortunate children. This NGO is working with over 300 children from secondary/high school to university level and hope to increase this number as you, with a heart for this adventure, will join forces with us.

MY APPEAL TO YOU

We are reaching out to the very remote parts of the country to find these children and send them to school. The NGO will be moving to the East Region of Cameroon where many children are still not able to go to school especially the girls. We need your support, your prayers, and we need you in person. Of urgent necessity is a 4 wheel pick up Toyota Hilax and two motorcycles. These will help to transport the personnel, equipment and materials to these children.

While I remain indebted to all of you to whom this big achievement I dedicate and to the many who will join forces with us to overcome illiteracy, I remain your faithful son.

Science Laboratory Equipment Proposal

G.H.S. Ntumbaw Science Lab Equipment Project

Government High School at Ntumbaw is located in a rural part of Cameroon in the Northwest Region. The school cannot offer any science classes since there is no science laboratory and only a few pieces of laboratory equipment. Educare-Africa purchased first few items during Pavla's 10th trip to Cameroon in 2009. You can view the reception of the new equipment by the principal on the photographs below.

Total amount requested: $11,216

Exchange rate: $1 = CFA 485 francs; Note: exchange rate fluctuates;

Community contribution: transport of the equipment

We do not have to purchase all the equipment at once. Needed items can be purchased gradually as we will be receiving kind donations. Pavla could purchase and hand over personally any equipment during her annual trip to Cameroon in May for whatever amount will be raised before she leaves during the second week of May 2010.

Detailed list of all necessary equipment is available upon request.

If you are interested in supporting this project, you could make a check to Educare-Africa with a note "Science equipment" in the memo and send it to Educare-Africa, P.O. Box 3278, Albany, OR 97321 before May 2010 if possible.

Thank you very much on behalf of the students in Cameroon for your loving care nad kind and generous support!

They will appreciate your gifts tremendously. Once the science lab will be all set up many science students will be able to take classes near their homes instead of transfering to schools in larger towns, where everything is more expensive.

Pavla Zakova-Laney,

Founder, Full-time volunteer President &

Executive Director of Educare-Africa

School Uniform Project

PROPOSAL FOR SEWING OF 250 SCHOOL UNIFORMS FOR EDUCARE-AFRICA STUDENTS

Exchange rate: $1 = CFA 485 francs; Note: exchange rate fluctuates;

No. Description Quantity Unit price Amount CFA/US$
1. Female uniform 150 6,500 / 13.4 975,000 / 2,010
2. Male Uniform 100 7,000 /14.4 700,000/ 1,443
TOTAL: 1,675,000/ 3,453
Amount in words: One million six hundred and seventy five thousand francs CFA; three thousand four hundred fifty three US dollars;

Community contribution: CFA 500,000 / $1,031
Amount requested: $2,422 (two thousand four hundred twenty two dollars)

If you would like to contribute, please, make a check to Educare-Africa with "Uniforms" in the memo and mail it to Educare-Africa, P.O. Box 3278, Albany, OR 97321. Your kindness and generosity will be greatly appreciated by the students. THANK YOU very much on their behalf!

NB:
Community contribution = Each student will contribute CFA 2,000/ $4 toward her/his uniform;