Belo

If you have not heard from me yet about my placement, it is because I still don’t know…. There is a potential placement in the works but nothing has been confirmed so I am still waiting. This is Africa – nothing happens quickly.

In the meantime, I have been trying to keep busy, helping out some colleagues with projects etc. One of these brought Dave and I to a small village called Belo, about 1 hour away from Bamenda. Nestled in the hills, it has beautiful scenery – cliffs, falls, etc. We have two VSO colleagues in Belo: Amy and Simon.

The first day, we arrived at about noon and Simon took us to a local ‘chop shop’ for rice and tomato stew – a staple around here. Afterwards we walked around town in the rain, admiring some of the vistas. We paid a brief visit to Amy’s organization. Then we trudged our way back to the compound where they both live. By this time, the road to the compound was all muddy and rutted – part of the adventure.

That night we stayed at Amy’s house – a nice big three bedroom house. She fed us a very good meal and we chatted away. She has a small balcony from which the view is spectacular. In the evening, we could see the clouds, at our level, wafting through the valley. In the morning we sat on the same balcony, sipping coffee and enjoying the fresh mountain air.

The next day, Simon, was kind enough to take us on the Belo walk. This is a trail that was marked by a local NGO that takes you right around the village. Simon promised that it was an easy walk. Clearly, he is in much better shape than I. Up and down the path went – and it was hot! The surroundings were simply beautiful! We often came upon thatched huts that so many of the locals live in. I only made it about half way before taking the short cut back to Simon’s.

As we headed back home, we passed Nbingo. The reason this is of note is that it is the hospital where our daughter Julie is likely to be working when she comes to visit in September. We are very excited about her visit and about being able to take the opportunity for her to also do her annual African volunteering stint. Couldn’t have worked out better.

The news finally came

Monday morning, I go into the office as usual. I am expecting Berry to come in but she does not appear. The cleaning lady, Grace, does a beautiful job and I quietly appreciate the women that I have met at Hope.

My placement being on hold, there is really no work to do. So I write and print a letter to my favourite aunt (which I better remember to mail) and do e-mail. I play solitaire while the very slow download of e-mails occurs. A couple of people come in and I explain that the people they were hoping to see were away until Thursday. Then I resolve that I will complete the Activity Log that VSO has required us to do… a task I had been putting off since my return from Canada.

Then the e-mail comes in. In big bold letters “Termination of Collaboration.” You all know I was expecting this to happen. HOPE really had no choice but to let me go – me or the funding, not much choice. But I was devastated. This was a pretty rude way to find out. I understand that my boss is away with the Fundamentalist couple but I had hoped a one-to-one conversation or at least a phone call. As a few choice words for the Fundamentalist couple spring to mind, the tears start rolling. I call Dave (always there when I need him) and tell him, asking him to come over. I need to pack up my things and leave.

As I wait for Dave, I write a note to Berry and one to Stephanie: “Sorry I did not get a chance to say goodbye in person, …” I empty my desk drawers – what comes, what stays. I put some things that need attention on Berry’s desk, then Stephanie’s desk, wiping my eyes as I go.

Just before Dave arrives, a lady appears at the door to visit. What a strange feeling. I put on my mask, greet her with a smile and explain that everyone is away at a mini-conference. Would she mind returning Thursday?

With Dave’s help, I put things away, collect others, and pack up my laptop. “What will you do with the keys? Dave asks. Nastily, I reply “That is their problem; they can come and get them!” In my heart, I know this is not HOPE’s fault – they were between a rock and a hard place, but I still feel disappointment and some anger.

Once home, all stuff is dumped and Dave says “Can I make you a cup of tea?” “No.” “Can I make you a hot chocolate? “No” “Is there anything I can do?” “Yes! Buy me a beer!” So off we go to the pub next door. (There always seems to be a pub next door where we are living!)

We sit at the pub for an over an hour, talking, discussing, chatting with the bar tender, and for me, shedding a few tears. Yet when we leave I felt refreshed and ready to move on. I know this really has nothing to do with me and the options open to me are not bad – another placement of my choosing or go home. I can handle either.

A conference like none I have ever seen

On June 22 to 25, Hope for the Widows and Orphans Ministry (HWOM) held its Conference of Hope - a conference like none I have ever seen. This year is special as HWOM is celebrating its 10th Anniversary. What a 10 years! The organization has grown from the vision of one person, Mirabelle Karawa and the unwavering support of her husband Sam. Working out of their home, they visited widows and their children and offered support whenever they could. Ten years later, HWOM serves over 2000 widows in at least 10 communities in the North West Region of Cameroon. They have sponsored over 500 children through primary, secondary and post secondary education. They have set up approximately 200 women in small business and provided direct charity in countless of ways, and more. A celebration was well deserved.

The conference started every morning with chanting prayers. Usually standing at the back, I would see 300+ women from all over the region swaying to the music and the beat of the drum. They are clearly joyous. The celebration takes on the air of a southern revival meeting. Soon you find yourself also swaying to the rhythm.

The conference, always running late, is interspersed with sessions and workshops. Sessions are presentations about topics of interest (my colleague Stephanie did a good one on HIV/Aids) and the workshops are for discussing topics addressed in the presentations. But in between, there is a lot of dancing and singing, skits and testimonials, lots of “Praise the Lord”. A group of children perform an African dance – great stuff! Outside tables are set up where widows from different communities present and sell their goods and crafts. There are some truly skilled women around.

The highlight of the conference came Thursday when Mirabelle presented a short history of the organization and then received congratulations from many supporters. Punctured with songs and prayers, it was a sincere tribute to her commitment and dedication.
There was the cake cutting – 11 cakes in fact, ten representing ten years of success, decorated as colourful baskets, symbols of abundance. The last was in the shape of an open bible, with the verse Mirabelle’s vision was based on. The cake cutting was  formal, pieces being presented by Mirabelle to guests of honour and the rest shared among the audience. Can you believe there were several cakes left over?
Now the conference is over, the hall is cleaned up. The end right? No, Mirabelle, Sam, Stephanie, Berry and the Americans are up in Ndu (about 6 hours away) having a mini conference for the women there. Then they will go to at least two more locations to do the same.  Now that is having a conference!