Realities of Development

Yesterday, a former student from my business class called and wanted to set up a meeting. I happily agreed, only to realize that he probably is trying to get me to do something. It's rare that people in this village are that motivated.

I was right. Him and another guy also from the business class wanted me to help them with a project. But by help, they mean, they want me to write their project proposal so they can get funding from the Italians, or some other European country.

Needless to say, I was annoyed. They took my business class months ago and during our 6-week long classes, they learned all the steps of writing a business plan and/or project proposal. Yet, they came to me with nothing written except for a few measly pages of information they scrambled together. They said, "we hired someone to help us but she's going on vacation. We thought we can sit down with you and do this." I said, "writing a project proposal isn't something you sit down and do within an hour. We had the course for 6 weeks for a reason." In the end. I told them I was sorry that I couldn't help them and explained that had already written a proposal, I could have given suggestions. But since nothing has been done, and my time is limited, that I was not able to offer help.

This, along with my library check ups this morning left me feel drained. Why do they think I am god and am here to solve all problems? Why do they never make any initiative and why do I feel like working with villagers in some ways is like babysitting? I gave them books. I gave them training on library management. Yet, unless there is a plan for someone to constantly go check up on them and bug them, then it's very likely that all will be for naut. I gave you the food and the spoon to eat it, do I really need to feed it to you, too?

Two years may feel like a long time for most of us in the fast-paced world. But here in a village of Cameroon, where everything takes F.O.R.E.V.E.R., two years is a very short time. It took me my entire service to get books here and to teach a few rounds of business classes. Despite our best efforts to drawn up follow-up plans and passing the projects to new volunteers, there is no guarantee that these Cameroonians will use the knowledge that were taught or resources given.

The problem, I think, is mentality. They look to foreigners as some sort of fix-all solution. Somehow, they think we have all the money, skills, and knowledge in the world to make their lives better. Kate once told a story that illustrates this. For two years, people always bugged her about teaching them how to use the computer and the Internet. Cameroonians who run cyber cafés could easily teach them, but they never think to ask them for help. In the same light, I attempted to train Cameroonians who can give the same business classes that I taught to others, but they tell me that people won't listen to them. The same information coming from a "white" person's mouth apparently is worth more. How will a country ever grow and develop if its people are constantly relying on "white" people and not themselves? Changing that mentality could be the key, but how to do that is the big question.

Change of Perception

The sprawling city of Bamenda

Sometimes, I feel like Cameroon has broke me. Two years in this country has somehow taken away those sympathetic ways that once was a big part of my personality. I am often annoyed when people comment "aww... those poor people" on my pictures from this experience. I no longer "feel sorry" for Cameroonians, or Africans in general. Don't shed pity on them, they have more dignity than that. Be angry for them that so many of their governments on this continent is corrupt and that the people do not have the opportunities they deserve.

Feel angry, feel the injustice, but don't feel sorry.

My first experience relating to international development was at a conference in Lawrence, Kansas where some speaker was talking about the UN Millennium Goals and later there was a pamphlet on an organization that has "child sponsorship" programs for people to financially support children in Africa. In return, you would receive letters and different correspondences. I wanted to sponsor a kid, but didn't have the ability as a poor student. This was 4 years ago.

Over these past 4 years, or more so within the past two years, I've learned and realized the power of PR work of these aid organizations to portrait a situation that perhaps isn't so grave, and turn them into a heart-wrenching picture that have you reaching for your VISA card. I know, because I did it myself to raise money for my library project.

Even still, I continue to contribute. I gave to the Haiti relief effort. I have long been a supporter of Kiva.org and I lend regularly to different projects around the world. Despite the fact I learn that Kiva really doesn't operate the way you think they do. Most of the pictures and stories you read or are lending to have likely already received funding. They do it for the PR and to reach and fulfill the human nature of needing a personal story. I understand. I am in no way disparaging the work of different NGOs, they are important in their own ways. I simply want to point out the difference in perception.

Recently, I received an update in my email inbox from Kiva's field fellow reporting the progress of my loan here in Cameroon. Here is an excerpt from that message:

Having spent three months in the Northwest Region of Cameroon, I’m
very pleased to share that your loans are making a big difference in an
area that has so much promise and yet is in such dire need. Despite the
strong agricultural potential of the Northwest Region, an industry that
makes up nearly fifty percent of Cameroon’s overall economy, I have
seen too much malnutrition, illness and death. Easily the most difficult
part of my time here in Cameroon has been that, within three short
months, I have attended eight burials compared to one birth celebration
and one marriage. Poverty, illness and death are much too common parts
of everyday life here in Bamenda, Cameroon, but there is hope.

I have been to Bamenda many times. It is the provincial capital of the Northwest Region - one of the anglophone regions in Cameroon, and one of the most developed. You wouldn't get this idea from reading that paragraph, however. What this Kiva Fellow describes is the image of Cameroon that I might have had 20 months ago, first arriving to this country.

But now, when I think of Bamenda, I am amazed at all the things you can buy, and how developed the city is. Also, this fellow was likely here during the funéraille season, where many funerals and parties take place, some long after the deceased has passed. To contrast that, Cameroonians have SO many babies, they cannot possibly throw a party for every child that is born. It's simply not in the custom.

Perception is relative. I am glad to have this experience and be able to perceive people's life for what it is. I don't feel bad for them, but instead, I try to see beauty in their way of life. In the Northwest and West region of Cameroon, food is plentiful, and people rarely starve. Illnesses, yes, but starvation is rare. No, they may not be able to afford the material goods that we can, but they also don't spend thousands on therapy like a lot of us do, either. Relativity, my friends. The Western/capitalistic way, isn't always the best.

Need Eggs? They are almost always free-ranged here!

How about some fresh oranges?

Public transportation? You got it!
Who needs a car when you can have motos?