March 9, 2007
Over the past few months I've found myself being overly negative…I try to stay positive and optimistic, I mean I've always dreamed about living in Africa and in recent years about doing development work and here I am, so why be negative? 2 years is a long time and the cultural differences, frustrations, slow pace of life and work, and the living alone factor adds up. I will, once again, say how thankful I am to have the missionaries here. They've helped maintain my sanity, they are not only an outlet for venting and sharing of cultural "experiences" (if you will), but they are all great friends who have made me feel loved, useful (when I was completely convinced of my worthlessness in Ndu) and needed. But, I felt it necessary to write about some positive things I've seen and experienced recently, if only to re-convince myself of the necessity of my work and time here.


First, the NGO (non-governmental organization) that I work with, Serve the Orphans Foundation, is amazing. In a country full of groups set on "making a difference" or helping society, this group actually is. I've heard horror stories from fellow volunteers about their own NGOs doing no work, being financially non-existent or aimlessly writing proposals yet doing no real work. Serve the Orphans Foundation (or "SOF") is none of those things. I am regularly impressed with the work they're doing; the ambition and excitement they continually put into their projects; the new ideas they come up with; and the virtuous nature of all the people involved. It's a relief to see and really gives hope. It's a great organization full of genuine people working to help orphans and vulnerable children get an education, not get lost, and make a future for themselves. I am grateful to have seen such an organization and hope that they continue to flourish because I think that such a group could really make a difference outside Ndu (where they're working now), in the entire country.


In a small village about 7 kms away from Ndu is a tiny health center. When I say health center I mean a tiny building with four rooms--one with three beds, one office, a meeting/parlor and a delivery room. There's no electricity, no running water in the building, and no actual doctor. There is, however, an extremely honorable man, who being first aid certified and self-motivated, took over that role. He has, to date, delivered 600+ babies, founded the local AIDS committee, holds weekly and monthly meetings with women of the village for infant welfare and vaccination. Each month over 90 women come to weigh their babies and receive health information. I have been going to teach them some of these lessons. Each time I go I am amazed (for lack of a better word) with the attendance, attention and competence of these women--most of whom are illiterate and impoverished. They bring in their babies and young children, listen attentively to me and ask great questions, always offer me tremendous thanks and then stand in line to weight their babies on a makeshift scale. The weight and growth is noted and charted, occasionally the are reminded where the child's weight should be, how to improve nutrition and "doctor" will openly confront women who's children aren't growing well. In Cameroon infant mortality is high, death to malaria, diarrhea and other preventable diseases is very high and nutrition often a problem. To see a small village with such a group is great, admirable…all those things. I am lucky to have seen it and to meet with this group each month to see, first hand, the dedication to their children's development and health.


Not everything has been negative; I just begin to feel a little idle and anxious about moving on, this creates a negative mindset which Kelsey and I intensify by text messaging our daily struggles, countless times a day...or hour, depending. I do really enjoy feeling veteran here though--understanding the culture and language and feeling equip to do almost anything by myself…even though it may lead me to be locked in my house or yelling at people till I'm on the verge of throwing things. Still, it's good to remind myself that there are great organizations and people here who are working so hard for their country and really care, often quite selflessly, about development. Oh, and the rains have come twice!! We're all thankful for that.