It has been GO GO GO here in Kumbo with so much work to do! I have really got into my English classes and am really fond of all my students. Many of them really struggle with reading so I have set up a reading club during lunch break to help the ones that are struggling. I have realised that they learn so much better when they are enjoying themselves so I have organized a lot of creative and interactive classes which they all really enjoyed! I have mastered how to keep them all in check – make them scared of me. I have managed to make them scared enough of me to not misbehave whilst still liking me (I hope)! Teaching really is not easy and I am now looking back on my school days feeling sorry for all of my teachers! Haha However it really is enjoyable, especially now I am organized and know their level and how English is taught here.
There has been so much progress with my women’s groups!!! I am proud to say Palm Oil has been distributed to all the groups successfully and we are now waiting for the 28th March which is collection day. The money will then be centralized and the next batch of oil will be distributed on the 4 April. So far so good, so let’s hope everyone manages to bring the money on time!!
I have given a training seminar on HIV/AIDS preparing a few women from each group in order to hold their own drop in sessions. The idea is for them to offer support and advice about HIV/AIDS to the general public. This took a lot of organizing but I loved it! I learnt so much myself and the women really enjoyed the day. I visited all the big hospitals in the area to collect information about the treatment they offer, the prices etc. The Doctor in one of the hospitals was incredibly lovely and even took the time to show me around the HIV department and lab, which is where they do the HIV test and CD4 count. It was super interesting and I am loving being part of something which is so incredibly important. With the money I fundraised I have given packs to each of the groups containing all the information they need, record books, pens, posters and a massive stash of condoms! However, I realize now that there is so much more to be done for this project to be effective. Treatment for HIV in Cameroon is free, which is great. However, I learnt that treatment often runs out and hospitals go months without being provided with anymore. This is a problem created by the government, who are the ones supplying the drugs. I am sure if people were paying for it, it would be a different story! It makes me angry that the government cares so little about peoples health to not see it as a priority. More over, for one to receive treatment you must first take a CD4 test as you only receive treatment if your CD4 count is below 350. The CD4 test is between 5,000-10,000 francs… which is a heck of a lot of money here!!! So many people know they are HIV positive but are unable to afford the test, meaning many people are walking around without treatment when they may really need it. This is yet another way the government is trying its best to supply as little free drugs as possible! It makes me deeply angry and upset that there are so many people in such a position, not knowing if or when they are going to become ill. I really want to fundraise more money – on a larger scale – to enable me to buy vouchers from the hospitals for the CD4 tests. I will then distribute the vouchers within the women’s groups for them to give out to people during the drop in sessions. A lot of organization needs to be done, but this is a long term goal that I really want to achieve.
The work load has really been tough, with little time to rest. Although this is not a complaint as I would hate to be sitting around doing nothing! There is so much great work to be done here and I have really learnt that you don’t achieve anything good in life without working bloody hard for it. I have faced many challenges and getting used to the slower pace of life and poor time management has really not been easy at times, especially when I have had such a busy schedule. However, I am learning so much, especially from the challenges.
The fact I have been the only volunteer has also been difficult and at times lonely. However, looking back on the 6 weeks I am not sure I would have accomplished as much as I have if there had been other volunteers here acting as distractions. Having said that,, there are some volunteers arriving next week which I am really excited about. It will be nice to have a more relaxed second half of my placement where by I can share the work load and focus more on a few jobs and doing them well rather than juggling several!
I have actually really enjoyed writing all my reports for university as they give me a chance to really reflect on what I have been doing, which I may have not done as much if I wasn’t forced to write the reports!
The dry season is now coming to end! Which all the locals are very happy about as it is now planting season for them! However, I am less happy about the idea of constant downfall and mud pits for roads! But I have bought a rain coat from the market (for 50p!) and am ready for the rain!
It was International Women’s day last week, which is huge here! It was such a fantastic day; I loved seeing the women doing things for themselves and going out and enjoying the celebrations (rather than waiting on men!). There was an event in a huge field where all the women’s groups march, sing, dance and speeches are given by the divisional officer etc. All the speeches were really moving and it was wonderful to see the women fighting for their right! There were many men there as well which was also encouraging. However, when it came to celebrations the men seemed to think it was the women’s responsibility to invite the men out and pay for them. They were clearly jealous of the fact it was a day for women and not them. But regardless of the way men were acting, the women were enjoying themselves which was the most important part. I went out dancing and saw many of the women from my women’s groups, which was really nice!
I also marched twice in the parade (in front of thousands of people)… having never marched before in my life and being put right at the front! It was definitely one of the most embarrassing experiences of my life! Whilst also being a very proud one.
I am learning bundles about the culture, poverty, people, gender, myself and much more every single day! I can’t wait to see what the next half of my placement brings
The lovely Yvette you has stayed with my for most of my time here so far!
One of the groups collecting their Palm Oil - A happy day!
The HIV/AIDS STOP The Stigma seminar!
Me with the lovely Dinran group Women!
After marching with the Dinran group!
A great message held on women's day - Men as partners in Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (of HIV)
The women marching in their beautiful uniforms!
Myself and Madam Vera (a teacher at the SEREP school) wearing the women's day material for 2013!
A belated happy Women's Day, Hannah!
ReplyDeleteYou certainly have been busy, but what a lot you are learning, and I hope you've had a little bit of time off in the midst of all this activity. Thanks too for the fantastic photos.
Can you tell me a bit more about the palm oil, please? How is it extracted, and what happens to it once it's ready for sale?
Looking forward to the next instalment!
Thank you Evelyn!
ReplyDeleteHere is a website which explains the process of making palm oil:
http://www.saranabugroup.com/oils/how-to-make-palm-oil.html
It is what people use to cook EVERYTHING here. If the food isnt being boiled, then it is cooked with palm oil. This is because it is the cheapest form of oil. What I am doing with the women is buying it directly from a supplier, we have a guy to drives to the factory to buy it. This makes it much cheaper, as otherwise the women would be buying it at retail price from the market, which is expensive. It helpes the women in the rural villages especially as it means one person comes here every months to collect a batch of cheap oil. Otherwise they would have to pay for transport every time they need to buy it which is expensive and then also buying it at retail price!
Palm oil production is quite controversial as the large plantations are taking over family farms. It is one of those situations where, everyone there is a high demand for it, but increasing the supply also means some people lose out. It isn't a major issue in Cameroon at the moment, but in other African countries it is become a big problem.
I hope that explains things well, feel free to ask any more questions! :)
Thanks Hannah. There's lots of interesting stuff on the web about palm oil with a whole range of views from http://www.greenpalm.org/en/about-palm-oil/what-is-sustainable-palm-oil to http://www.saynotopalmoil.com/palm-oil.php
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