Posts
Monday, April 19, 2010
Those good days...
Training
Febraury 2010
So, what exactly am I doing in Cameroon anyways? Well, as an Organizational Development Advisor, it is actually quite a rather tricky position, as I’m not a decision-maker, or even really a doer, more of a starter, an encourager, a supporter, a cheerleader, advisor. I make suggestions, and try to convince them that it was their idea in the first place and then sometimes, they may do those things. Other times, I must watch a struggle, so that learning can take place. It is frustrating, no doubt. Progress is slow, but certain days stand out in my mind, that make it all worthwhile. One of those days, was the day I facilitated a workshop on “Human Rights and using Rights Based Approaches to Development”. It was a great group, full of enthusiasm, questions, ideas, conversations… just one of those rare days where I felt I was doing something useful and having much fun!!!
Here’s an “excerpt from the Sun Newspaper in Bamenda about the Training I facilitated on Human Rights.” Just so you can get a taste of the local flavour / perspective... and, please note: I don’t remember using the word: ‘strange’.
Febraury 2010
So, what exactly am I doing in Cameroon anyways? Well, as an Organizational Development Advisor, it is actually quite a rather tricky position, as I’m not a decision-maker, or even really a doer, more of a starter, an encourager, a supporter, a cheerleader, advisor. I make suggestions, and try to convince them that it was their idea in the first place and then sometimes, they may do those things. Other times, I must watch a struggle, so that learning can take place. It is frustrating, no doubt. Progress is slow, but certain days stand out in my mind, that make it all worthwhile. One of those days, was the day I facilitated a workshop on “Human Rights and using Rights Based Approaches to Development”. It was a great group, full of enthusiasm, questions, ideas, conversations… just one of those rare days where I felt I was doing something useful and having much fun!!!
Here’s an “excerpt from the Sun Newspaper in Bamenda about the Training I facilitated on Human Rights.” Just so you can get a taste of the local flavour / perspective... and, please note: I don’t remember using the word: ‘strange’.
NWADO Sensitizes people on Human Rights
BY GEORGE CHIFU
A Non Governmental Organization known by its acronym NWADO has sensitized the population on the basic principles of Human Rights. The sensitization took place November 26, 2009 at the Bamenda NWADO head office during a one day workshop organized by the NGO.
Madam Sherry Stevenson, a foreign VSO Volunteer disclosed that the workshop was aimed at developing on understanding of Human Rights, its principles, familiarization with various existing mechanisms in case of violation of Human Rights, how to apply a Rights-Based Approach to work and process to Advocate for Human Rights.
The VSO Volunteer shortly after the workshop briefed the Sun that the workshop brought NWADO members from far and near for sensitization on Human Rights for development. She insinuated that the workshop which had empowered participants, whose approach to societal issues could be strange, might spark problems. The foreign national observed that knowledge of Human Rights can only improve situations despite its strange implementation. Sherry Stevenson further disclosed that there exist mechanisms locally, nationally, and internationally which people could exploit when there is violation of Human Rights. NWADO pledged its readiness to always provide people with right information to direct people to right directions like the Lawyers when Rights are violated.
Quizzed on what NWADO could do if Human rights are politically violated in Cameroon during elections, Madam Stevenson after a deep pause responded that everybody has a Right to Free, Fair and Transparent elections. She however, asserted that in case of unfair elections in Cameroon, NWADO will help monitor and present the situation for everyone to know for possible actions even through international communities.
The workshop was attended by Civil Society Activities, CIGS and associations. At the end of the workshop some participants shared their experiences and lessons with the Sun.
Mr. Nformi Lawrence from Njimnkang Ndu Sub Division said he was impressed with the discoveries on Human Rights which he pledged to share with his people. Mme Florence Woazineh, INADES Formation Cmaeroon promised to sensitize both men and women on Human Rights. She hinted that so many people suffer because of ignorance of their Rights which are also applicable to leisure, homes, and jobs. Mme Florence intimated that the Male Folk shouldn’t be scared by their discoveries because such discoveries will rather enable women work in partnership with men for better results not unhealthy rivalry. Mme Stephanie Tasah, coordinator, Hope for Widows and Orphans Ministries Bamenda noted that the workshop was enriching. She disclosed that most widows who are ignorant about their rights suffer educational set-backs for their children. Such widows encounter obnoxi
ous practice from some Traditional rulers and Fons because of ignorance of the Human Rights. Participants were firm on the resolutions that there is need for massive sensitization on the Basic Principles of Human Rights.
BY GEORGE CHIFU
A Non Governmental Organization known by its acronym NWADO has sensitized the population on the basic principles of Human Rights. The sensitization took place November 26, 2009 at the Bamenda NWADO head office during a one day workshop organized by the NGO.
Madam Sherry Stevenson, a foreign VSO Volunteer disclosed that the workshop was aimed at developing on understanding of Human Rights, its principles, familiarization with various existing mechanisms in case of violation of Human Rights, how to apply a Rights-Based Approach to work and process to Advocate for Human Rights.The VSO Volunteer shortly after the workshop briefed the Sun that the workshop brought NWADO members from far and near for sensitization on Human Rights for development. She insinuated that the workshop which had empowered participants, whose approach to societal issues could be strange, might spark problems. The foreign national observed that knowledge of Human Rights can only improve situations despite its strange implementation. Sherry Stevenson further disclosed that there exist mechanisms locally, nationally, and internationally which people could exploit when there is violation of Human Rights. NWADO pledged its readiness to always provide people with right information to direct people to right directions like the Lawyers when Rights are violated.
Quizzed on what NWADO could do if Human rights are politically violated in Cameroon during elections, Madam Stevenson after a deep pause responded that everybody has a Right to Free, Fair and Transparent elections. She however, asserted that in case of unfair elections in Cameroon, NWADO will help monitor and present the situation for everyone to know for possible actions even through international communities.
The workshop was attended by Civil Society Activities, CIGS and associations. At the end of the workshop some participants shared their experiences and lessons with the Sun.
Mr. Nformi Lawrence from Njimnkang Ndu Sub Division said he was impressed with the discoveries on Human Rights which he pledged to share with his people. Mme Florence Woazineh, INADES Formation Cmaeroon promised to sensitize both men and women on Human Rights. She hinted that so many people suffer because of ignorance of their Rights which are also applicable to leisure, homes, and jobs. Mme Florence intimated that the Male Folk shouldn’t be scared by their discoveries because such discoveries will rather enable women work in partnership with men for better results not unhealthy rivalry. Mme Stephanie Tasah, coordinator, Hope for Widows and Orphans Ministries Bamenda noted that the workshop was enriching. She disclosed that most widows who are ignorant about their rights suffer educational set-backs for their children. Such widows encounter obnoxi
ous practice from some Traditional rulers and Fons because of ignorance of the Human Rights. Participants were firm on the resolutions that there is need for massive sensitization on the Basic Principles of Human Rights.
Return
January 15, 2010
After a wonderful holiday... I returned… back to Cameroon for another few months. In many ways, it was as if I hadn’t left, though I did have a little perspective. Seriously, it felt like during the time I had spent in Cameroon before the holidays, nothing ever happened, but then I go away for a few weeks, come back, and boooooommmm... my favourite restaurant right across from my work moved (How could they?!?!?), all the okada (motor-bike drivers) were suddenly wearing proper fluorescent yellow vests with numbers on them, two buildings were built, my neighbour got a hair cut, the container city was being ripped up (literally overnight, a new law was passed that said no containers could be in Bamenda, so the hundreds of containers that lined the streets and markets with shops and hair-salons and pubs were quickly demolished, garbage and destruction everywhere… Bamenda never looked the same!) and finally, the entire city was now covered in a film of brown dust! There was so much dust in the air, it hurt the lungs, the eyes, the smelly feet. Wow,. my house was all closed up, but you won’t believe how quickly the dust was able to sneak in and settle and even how quickly the cobwebs took over. It was quite a mess. And, I still had to wipe the dust off everything each day.
After a wonderful holiday... I returned… back to Cameroon for another few months. In many ways, it was as if I hadn’t left, though I did have a little perspective. Seriously, it felt like during the time I had spent in Cameroon before the holidays, nothing ever happened, but then I go away for a few weeks, come back, and boooooommmm... my favourite restaurant right across from my work moved (How could they?!?!?), all the okada (motor-bike drivers) were suddenly wearing proper fluorescent yellow vests with numbers on them, two buildings were built, my neighbour got a hair cut, the container city was being ripped up (literally overnight, a new law was passed that said no containers could be in Bamenda, so the hundreds of containers that lined the streets and markets with shops and hair-salons and pubs were quickly demolished, garbage and destruction everywhere… Bamenda never looked the same!) and finally, the entire city was now covered in a film of brown dust! There was so much dust in the air, it hurt the lungs, the eyes, the smelly feet. Wow,. my house was all closed up, but you won’t believe how quickly the dust was able to sneak in and settle and even how quickly the cobwebs took over. It was quite a mess. And, I still had to wipe the dust off everything each day.
The first few days back in my house were pretty busy, had to fix the electricity and water, get a new gas bottle, and clean up the dust... and pay the bills... funny there should be so much to “fix” when they hadn’t been used in a while???? My neighbour was adamant I was gone for at least two months... it was just too long he said. Anyway, back to the old rhythm, with mixed emotion… strange how that happens.
These are just a few pics from a hike I took to the local Dam with friends, Karly, Marcy, and Divine.
Travel
Travel…
December 10, 2009
So, I went to the bus stop to buy my bus ticket at 6:00AM, then returned to catch the bus that was said to leave at 8:30AM. However, they then realized it was “Clean Up Campaign” Day, so everyone is ‘supposed’ (key word) to be cleaning up the city and no vehicles were allowed on the road, so we would not be departing until NOON! So, I sat around the smelly bus station until then. And, after a long, hot, sweaty ride, made it to the bustling, beautiful city of Douala. Spent the day there, touring around a little and enjoying some local delicacies, primarily seafood. Then headed to the airport... utter caos. No clear line ups. No clear signage. One thing after another, so many stops just to get out of the country. When weighing your bags, you had to fight to keep your spot in line and convince the ticket people that no, it is a bus I’m taking from Montreal to Ottawa, not another airplane... sketchy... my bags did make though, amazingly. Thing was, the flight was delayed by three hours, so I was again, stuck sitting around this crazy, hot airport, for an additional six hours!!! And, no food or water allowed in the lounge, of course, so had to sweat it out in the hallway instead... I was think’n... just get me outta here!!!
December 10, 2009
So, I went to the bus stop to buy my bus ticket at 6:00AM, then returned to catch the bus that was said to leave at 8:30AM. However, they then realized it was “Clean Up Campaign” Day, so everyone is ‘supposed’ (key word) to be cleaning up the city and no vehicles were allowed on the road, so we would not be departing until NOON! So, I sat around the smelly bus station until then. And, after a long, hot, sweaty ride, made it to the bustling, beautiful city of Douala. Spent the day there, touring around a little and enjoying some local delicacies, primarily seafood. Then headed to the airport... utter caos. No clear line ups. No clear signage. One thing after another, so many stops just to get out of the country. When weighing your bags, you had to fight to keep your spot in line and convince the ticket people that no, it is a bus I’m taking from Montreal to Ottawa, not another airplane... sketchy... my bags did make though, amazingly. Thing was, the flight was delayed by three hours, so I was again, stuck sitting around this crazy, hot airport, for an additional six hours!!! And, no food or water allowed in the lounge, of course, so had to sweat it out in the hallway instead... I was think’n... just get me outta here!!!
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