Brief Summary of 2013 Trip

My trip to Cameroon was very enjoyable and without any adverse challenges. Mr. Emmanuel Sunjo, our country coordinator, picked me up at the airport and drove me to his house. On Friday, May 3^rd I picked up our funds which were sent through Moneygram.

On May 6^th Mr. Sunjo and I visited Ngong Beatrice, one of our former students, who now teaches mathematics at G.B.H.S. in Ebolowa, capital of the South Region of Cameroon.

On May 8^th I traveled to Bamenda. We purchased basic school supplies and science lab equipment and prepared for our journey to Tatum. On May 11^th I met a current Peace Corps volunteer, Emily Devito, and we discussed our possible future collaboration. On May 16^th we drove to G.H.S. Kedjom Keku to give prizes. On May 17^th we traveled to Tatum.

On May 21^st we handed over a new microscope to the principal of G.S.S. Njilah. On May 22^nd we rented a 4-wheel drive pick up truck for our travel over the rough roads on our visit to G.S.S. Ngendzen. We handed over a new short wave radio and discussed possibilities of assisting a few excellent students.

Thanks to the Riverside Church grant – Phase II - 100 students from G.S.S. Agyati received new school uniforms and 100 received new school bags. Basic school supplies for the 92 best students from G.H.S. Kedjom Keku, G.H.S. Talla, G.B.H.S. Tatum, G.H.S. Nseh, G.S.S. Agyati, G.S.S. Mbu-Warr and G.H.S. Ntumbaw were purchased and given during prize giving ceremonies between May 23^rd and June 19^th. Donated toothbrushes, toothpaste, additional school supplies and other donations were distributed to 239 students. About 170 staff members from G.H.S. Kedjom Keku, G.H.S. Talla, G.B.H.S. Tatum, G.S.S. Nseh, G.S.S. Agyati, G.S.S. Mbu-Warr and G.H.S. Ntumbaw received pens for encouragement. Each school also received four boxes of chalk. Thanks to grants from the $10 Club and Friends of Cameroon new science lab equipment was purchased for G.H.S. Ntumbaw and G.H.S. Mbu-Warr. Both rural high schools plan to start science classes this fall. P.T.A. of G.H.S. Mbu-Warr contributed toward our building project in Tatum. Other schools are fundraising toward the same goal. 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.B.H.S. Kumbo and G.B.H.S. Ndu. G.S.S. Ngendzen, G.H.S. Kedjom Keku and G.H.S. Ntumbaw received new short wave radios donated by the Ears to Our World NGO from North Carolina.

On Saturday, May 25^th, we met with students and parents at G.B.H.S. Kumbo. On May 28^th we visited another former student, Kongnso Clotilde Afoni, who now owns and manages a solar charging station near Ntaaba in the Northwest Region. On June 7^th a ribbon was cut to the future science lab at G.H.S. Ntumbaw with many students and their parents present. On June 6^th we met with the mayor and our Tatum project committee. It was agreed that a caterpillar will be necessary to dig up the road and a foundation for the first building of the Educare-Africa/Community Resource Center in Tatum. From June 10^th until June 15^th we met with students and parents in Tatum. On June 13^th we met parents and students at G.H.S. Mbu-Warr and science lab equipment donated thanks to a grant from the Friends of Cameroon group was handed over to the school principal. On June 18^th we traveled to Bamenda and on June 19^th we went to G.S.S. Agyati with prizes, school uniforms and school bags. On June 20^th we handed over a new radio to the principal of G.H.S. Kedjom Keku and discussed with parents and students. During my trip we chose 134 students to assist in 2013/2014 school year. We chose over 48 new outstanding students for the next academic year.

This year we purchased a TV and used it during the week of discussions with parents and students. While people were waiting for their turn they had an opportunity to watch great DVDs such as the BBC Planet Earth series, Elsa’s Legacy, National Geographic programs about lions, hyenas, jaguars, whales, bears and the Dog Whisperer. They enjoyed this tremendously and encouraged us to get even more educational and inspirational DVDs for next year so many more could benefit wherever we go, including in our Bamenda office.

As a side project, Justin Tagne from the Cameroon Baptist Center in Bamenda, also a member of a NGO called Born Free Cameroon, and I organized the handing over of donations from the Reid Veterinary Hospital and Hopes Haven Rescue group in Salem. About 12 dog owners, breeders and veterinarians participated. On May 23^rd Justin and I rented a taxi and went around town to check on about 25 dogs in need and distributed some collars and leashes.

UPCOMING ASSISTANCE: We hope to assist about 125 secondary/high school students and about 25 university students. Approximately $10,000 by mid September 2013 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 10^th. If the school fees and the GCE exam registration fees are not paid on time, students are often sent home from school, which has a detrimental effect on their exam results.

We want to continue with the building project as soon as possible. The next step is to access a caterpillar to finish digging a road to the building site and then to begin the foundation. We can start as soon as funds become available.

You can view some of our activities on the following video clips: