Project overview

Volunteer will assist field staff in teaching environmental protection and preservation. Bamenda the capital of the North West Region is experiencing urban growth and as a result people have turn to inhabit high risk zones characterized by land movements. As the town is experiencing growth sanitation conditions are poor, the few streams that run across the town have become dust bins for people to empty their waste. Garages throw their oil and houses empty their toilets in this river when rains are falling. The North West Region is topping the list with those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, ranking first with 8.7% with a 79% prevalence rate of ages less than 40years. 76228 people live on antiretroviral treatment in Cameroon by December 2009, with14000 people in the North West region.

Degradation of agricultural lands and watersheds, deforestation and destruction of coastal zones is increasing at an alarming pace in Cameroon. This is despite the engagement of a number of governmental institution and many non governmental organization conducting resource protection initiatives. The main problem is: lack of common framework of action and coordination of activities. Nevertheless it is a relatively peaceful and stable region in the country with the prospects of a bright future if the people are educated.

Bamenda is the capital of the North West region and harbors immigrants from different divisions and other regions. Working with Community Agriculture and Environmental Protection Association (CAEPA) you will be expected to teach environmental clubs in schools, youth associations, and church groups. You will also be part of our radio programme that holds twice a week. While working with CAEPA , you will have the opportunity to explore the surrounding area including the Kimbi game reserve, the Lake Awing, Lake Mbatu, Bambili Lake, the Sabga Hill, the Balikumbat plateau, the Babungo fons palace meuseum,the Mankon Fons palace, the Bafut fons palace and lot more of tourist sites in the region.

As a volunteer, you would be working with the field staff teaching students in environmental clubs at the different school sustainable environmental practices.with farming groups you will be teaching them sustainable agricultural practices. In general you may play three different roles:

1. Teaching – students in environmental clubs of different schools;
2. Orientatation of farming groups on sustainable agricultural practices, the consequences of climate and agriculture.
3. Organizational development:

There are many other activities that you as a volunteer might like to get involved in; sports (start a small sport program for the earth day and environment day), other community initiatives like radio quiz. Personal initiatives will be appreciated. Volunteers are also free to initiate new projects as far as they will benefit the community.

The volunteer will have to get in touch with the coordinator of CAEPA for all necessary letters regarding the facilitation for visa acquisition. The coordinator will pick up the volunteer at the Douala international airport upon arrival to the project site. The volunteer will pay pick up fee of 70 Euros.

Housing

A good house with electricity in a very conducive environment is 25000 FRS a month. There are other low quality houses. Cost of Living: Below is an estimated sketch of the cost involving volunteering in Mezam Division,Bamenda- Cameroon.

1. Cost of food per week. It is estimated that an international volunteer could spend 5500 Frs. CFA per week, which is about 13 US dollars. This is the highest amount each volunteer could spend on food per week. Sometimes CAEPA will subsidize with foodstuff.

2. Cooking. A volunteer could decide to cook for him or herself. He or she has to buy the kitchen utensils worth 30 000 FRS, gas, gas plate etc, that is about 71 US dollars. If he or she has to employ a cook the payment per month will be 25000 FRS, if it is couple it will be 30000 FRS. 25000 FRS is about 59 US dollars.

3. Cleaner. A volunteer, if he or she so wills can employ a cleaner, who cleans the house and surrounding twice a week, washes his or her clothes twice a week at 10 000frs per month.

4. Transportation. Weekly transportation’s are worth 3000 FRS, about 7 US dollars. It can also go up to 5000 FRS to 10 000 FRS if the volunteer visits other places, or other towns like Ndop. The transport fare from Bamenda to Ndop and back is about 4000 FRS including food money and taxi money. It should be noted that the value of a dollar now with the CFA francs is 420 FRS to one dollar.CAEPA will have to play its part to support and make the opportunity a success.