30 July 2011
Hi everyone,
I wish I was good at keeping a journal because then I would be able to remember everything, but I’ll give it the old college try.
Training is going well, then French has improved a ton, I also think it is hilarious that I am an illiterate because that is such a big focus for a lot of development agencies. I can read simple books, but my older brother just finished his Doctorate in Yaoundé about the social contract of the Quran and I am pretty sure I couldn’t understand that in English so I just translated the title.
We have gone on 2 field trips for business development. Our first one was in Bangu, West region. That region was beautiful and I hear the North-West region trumps that so I still have a lot of traveling to look forward too. We visited an MC2 which is a type of MFI here in Cameroon. The main lesson I came back with is that the network of higher ups at MC2’s, in the government, and chiefs seem to utilize each other and only help out each other. A few employees said they had trouble getting their products to the extreme poor. Learning about it is good, but I know I will learn a lot more when I am in the field. After we visited a Chief in the village. We had a big feast in his compound where he had a ton of farms and pigs. I thought the most interesting part was the style of their houses, basically a thin pyramid at the top. The reason for this is they believe they descended from one of the tribes of Israel. It would be interesting to hear the story that has been passed down, but since I was visitor I didn’t want embarrass myself in front of the chief and butcher a question in French.
As for the 2nd field trip, we went to Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon. Another MC2, and basically the same story. Great to hear what can be done and what is being done in Microfinance, but makes you want to talk to the actual clients more. After we got to an NGO called “The Last Great Ape Organization”. This was actually really awkward at first then really cool.
Side Story for the awkward part: I came home for dinner one night and since my mom is gone I eat with my uncle and my dad. My dad starts talking and then points to the bowl and goes I am not going to eat it because it is meat(He is Muslim.). Then he goes you don’t have to if you don’t want because it is monkey. Not going to lie, I did have a piece and with all the cards out on the table, it was pretty darn tasty. Probably not going to make it a regular thing, but C’est la vie.
Back to the NGO, the cool part is that he was a journalist and decided to come to Cameroon for a vacation. He decided to shoot some footage for wildlife trafficking and saw that the laws were never enforced. He said, “to be honest I have no real soft spot for wildlife, but we use it as a platform to fight corruption here”. He found out there is a law if caught with a Category A animal(Endangered species) that you will go to jail for 3 years. Before 2003 the law was not enforced once. Since July 2003 he has given the government evidence to prosecute over 400 cases. It seemed the mission of the NGO was to use wildlife protection as a platform to fight corruption and see that it can be done in other areas of the government.
The next part of the field trip everyone can appreciate! We went to a chain store called Casino(French grocery store) and they had everything. I bought a mini-pizza and donut for lunch and then some meat for a sandwich when I got back. Basically anything you wanted. We thought the best thing was the 6 slices of Bacon for $26. They have plenty of pork in the Extreme North, I am going to find a way to get that cheaper.
Other stories definitely not in order:
My friends and I helped out our friend, Simone, catch a chicken. It took us about a half hour. At different points it was on the roof, in the corn field and the tree. In the end another Cameroonian kid came running in and grabbed him. Next time I think we will get it. Not to be out done though the next day 5 of us went to the market and bought a live chicken. We thought it would be some massive ordeal and we got there, asked where to we buy live chickens, and when we found the right guy he handed one over, simple as that. The best part was my friend carrying it from its feet on the moto ride back. I have seen more on the back of a moto, the most interesting has been goats(plural), another moto, and whenever I see 5 people on one I think its hilarious.
As for the first chicken, we got to see Simone chop its head off. The next day he offered us a ton of it and it was delicious.
Another amazing day was going to see the traditional medicine doctor. I am doing a presentation on traditional medicine for the other trainees(everyone has to pick a subject). He spoke mostly in the local language which my Dad translated in French, so Joanna(another trainee who can speak French fluently) could translate the parts I missed into English. It was pretty funny to see the talking go down the line then me finally understand and nod and say thank you. I found out that onions are very important in traditional medicine. Also I asked him what was the most magical animal and he went with Kangaroo. Nothing against Kangaroos, but come on. As for birds he said Owls which I get. I also found out the most expensive procedure is Invincibility to Sorcerers so I might be investing in that soon, don’t want to take too many chances.
I think those are the main points I want to get across on the Cameroonian side.
As for Fantasy Football(The real reason for this blog).
We are holding a live draft where I will be wearing my authentic Randy Moss jersey I bought here for $11. We are holding competitions such as rock throw, bike race, and wall sit, maybe even a beer chug to see who gets first pick.
I also wrote down Iowa’s schedule today, looking good for another undefeated season, hope it pans out!
Have fun in the heat guys(hotter in MN than Cameroon, haha classic) and keep me updated on anything and everything.
Nous sont ensemble,
Jack
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