Celebrating Cameroon’s 50th Anniversary of Independence by Sara Semborski
As the participants marched on, I was struck most by the focus of the parade. The march was not just about a land, a country – but the march was about a land of people. People focused solely on other people, friend and neighbor celebrating one another.
After the march-pass, as we headed for the governor’s private reception and Gala later in the evening I reflected upon change. It was Margaret Mead who once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world … indeed it was the only thing that ever has.” This is exactly what has produced good fruit in Cameroon for the past 50 years and what will continue to do so.
Later in the evening at the Gala, we realized what an honor it was to be personally invited by the governor himself. It was a very fancy occasion. The women were all dolled up in vibrant fabrics and dresses. We also realized how much Cameroonians like celebrating and dancing. At the close of the evening we each personally shook the governor’s hand and the group snapped a photo with him. What an honor indeed! Once in the van, exhaustion swept over my body as I thought of all the beautiful faces I saw throughout the day. Once again the words of Margaret Mead ran through my head.
Additional Photos:
Bloomsburg Students Read with Cameroonian Children by Brynn Abrahamsen
On Friday, May 21st, we had the opportunity to visit C and J Nursery School in Kumba, South West Region, Cameroon, to help the students practice their reading skills. Upon arrival the students sung their national anthem, a welcome song, and the Head Teacher greeted us with a welcome speech. After we were welcomed, the C & J students were split into small groups and each student from Bloomsburg read short stories to them and also prepared the best reader in their group for a reading competition. The children’s books we used were donated by Christina Beckham’s mother and grandmother. Christina, who was part of the first group of Bloomsburg students to visit the school in the summer of 2009, was so impressed by the students’ eagerness that she wanted to contribute to their learning.
I was also impressed that the children’s parents came along to observe the reading. Some of them participated as judges of the reading competition. While the judging was taking place, some children engaged in cultural activities such as traditional dancing. Prizes were awarded after the activities to the first, second, and third place winners. Each place received a sum of money, with first place taking the most amount.
I am studying to be a secondary education English teacher, and even though I will be dealing with mainly teenagers, I was able to take so much away by interacting, guiding and teaching students something new. I worked with the student for some time and she ended up winning the competition! It was an amazing feeling to know that I helped prepare her for that accomplishment and to receive a big smile and a hug for doing so. Not only was I able to work with this student on an educational level, but I also was able to see another side of her through the demonstration of the traditional African dances. It showed me a hidden talent that this young girl had that is not seen on the surface. It showed me how passionate she was not only about learning, but also about her dancing. At first, I just saw a student, but at the end, I saw a complete person with many talents.
As a future teacher, I would lookout for the different talents and interests my students bring to the classroom.
Trip to the Ekonjo Chiefdom in Bojongo Village, Cameroon by Kaitlin Jakl
One of the highlights of our study abroad trip to Cameroon was the visit to the Ekonjo chiefdom, which is part of the greater Bojongo village in Cameroon. In 2008 the men and women in this village had established a community farm. Here they cultivate things like corn, pepper, and cocoyam (just to name a few) in order to make some sort of an income for themselves. The objective of our trip was for us to truly dive into the African culture and get a sense of how the women in particular contribute to the development of both their families and communities inside the village. We were able to ask them a series of questions ranging from their marital status to how they cope with their multiple responsibilities in the home.
When we were given the assignment to interview the village women I became nervous. Were they going to be able to understand me? Will they like me? So many different emotions ran through my mind, but I slowly became at ease when I heard the faint sound of the African drum and song growing louder and louder. All the people of the village came out in celebration, singing and dancing and welcoming us all with the warmest of spirits.
Before you know it we all were hugging, dancing and singing with the women and the village people. It was like a scene out of a movie. After the initial celebration we broke up into groups and the interviewing began. I met with a woman named Cecilia. I learned that she once had her own farm but after marrying, had to give it up to her husband. I could see the pain in her eyes as I learned more about this extreme patriarchal society. It seemed unfair to me how she was doing all the housework and fieldwork but was not involved in making financial decisions for the family. I truly felt a connection with this woman as we embraced each other at the end of the conversation.
However it was the next segment that I feel had the most lasting impression on me. We all got into a circle, and listened to stories from one of the men in the village. After his story everyone joined in a laugh as my friend Meggyn rose up and narrated the myth of the “Jersey Devil.” After Meggyn’s example, the village people encouraged us to tell more stories. Several other students stood up and told stories they learned during their childhood. The Cameroonian people particularly enjoyed Jaclyn’s story of the Corn Monster, which her mother and sister used to discourage her from walking through the cornfields after school. Looking around I saw the different shades of skin sitting together rejoicing. Who would have thought that people that live so differently from us can actually be so similar? Through stories and song we all honestly connected on a level words could never describe. I think this was the first time I realized that no matter what culture you belong to, no matter what shade of skin you are, we are all human beings. We all thrive for a good story or song, and we all want the same thing out of life – to be happy.
Just as welcoming as we came, they sent us off just as nice. Before we called it a night though we were blessed enough to meet the chief of the Village. This 90 year old man had the heart and spirit of a 12 year old as he was just as welcoming as his people were. The kindness of these people touched me forever. I am having the opportunity to make friends all over the world and experience a life changing adventure. This particular trip taught me more than a textbook ever could. I will never forget the chief, Cecilia, the people, and that feeling I had singing songs and telling stories.
Video Link: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1533001289054
Being able to experience Cameroon during the celebration of the country’s 50 years of independence and peace was most certainly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. National Day is a day of festivities in light of friends, family, achievement, and enormous blessings the country has received. The day began with a “March Pass”, also known as a parade to us. Cameroonians from all over the Buea Sub-Division came to Buea, the regional capital, to join in celebration and to participate in the march-pass.
For hours we witnessed national pride in Cameroonians of all ages. Military personnel, teachers, school children and teens, and various clubs and groups were represented all bearing the vibrant and majestic green, red and yellow. Many hand-made clothing and dresses were worn, some with National Day fabric and some like our own, were hand crafted for a specific group. Our gorgeous, custom made dresses and shirts were representing the University of Buea in a juicy green fabric complete with a little National flavor as well.
As the participants marched on, I was struck most by the focus of the parade. The march was not just about a land, a country – but the march was about a land of people. People focused solely on other people, friend and neighbor celebrating one another.
After the march-pass, as we headed for the governor’s private reception and Gala later in the evening I reflected upon change. It was Margaret Mead who once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world … indeed it was the only thing that ever has.” This is exactly what has produced good fruit in Cameroon for the past 50 years and what will continue to do so.
Later in the evening at the Gala, we realized what an honor it was to be personally invited by the governor himself. It was a very fancy occasion. The women were all dolled up in vibrant fabrics and dresses. We also realized how much Cameroonians like celebrating and dancing. At the close of the evening we each personally shook the governor’s hand and the group snapped a photo with him. What an honor indeed! Once in the van, exhaustion swept over my body as I thought of all the beautiful faces I saw throughout the day. Once again the words of Margaret Mead ran through my head.
Additional Photos:
Bloomsburg Students Read with Cameroonian Children by Brynn Abrahamsen
On Friday, May 21st, we had the opportunity to visit C and J Nursery School in Kumba, South West Region, Cameroon, to help the students practice their reading skills. Upon arrival the students sung their national anthem, a welcome song, and the Head Teacher greeted us with a welcome speech. After we were welcomed, the C & J students were split into small groups and each student from Bloomsburg read short stories to them and also prepared the best reader in their group for a reading competition. The children’s books we used were donated by Christina Beckham’s mother and grandmother. Christina, who was part of the first group of Bloomsburg students to visit the school in the summer of 2009, was so impressed by the students’ eagerness that she wanted to contribute to their learning. 
I was also impressed that the children’s parents came along to observe the reading. Some of them participated as judges of the reading competition. While the judging was taking place, some children engaged in cultural activities such as traditional dancing. Prizes were awarded after the activities to the first, second, and third place winners. Each place received a sum of money, with first place taking the most amount.
Experiencing the welcome song and being able to hear the students’ national anthem, automatically made me feel welcomed. When I was assigned to my group, the children were so happy to have a story to read. The older girl in the group mainly read to the others while I helped her through the story. After we went through the story once, she was so eager to read it again and again, to learn the new words in the story that she did not know.
I am studying to be a secondary education English teacher, and even though I will be dealing with mainly teenagers, I was able to take so much away by interacting, guiding and teaching students something new. I worked with the student for some time and she ended up winning the competition! It was an amazing feeling to know that I helped prepare her for that accomplishment and to receive a big smile and a hug for doing so. Not only was I able to work with this student on an educational level, but I also was able to see another side of her through the demonstration of the traditional African dances. It showed me a hidden talent that this young girl had that is not seen on the surface. It showed me how passionate she was not only about learning, but also about her dancing. At first, I just saw a student, but at the end, I saw a complete person with many talents. 
Additional Photos:
Trip to the Ekonjo Chiefdom in Bojongo Village, Cameroon by Kaitlin Jakl
One of the highlights of our study abroad trip to Cameroon was the visit to the Ekonjo chiefdom, which is part of the greater Bojongo village in Cameroon. In 2008 the men and women in this village had established a community farm. Here they cultivate things like corn, pepper, and cocoyam (just to name a few) in order to make some sort of an income for themselves. The objective of our trip was for us to truly dive into the African culture and get a sense of how the women in particular contribute to the development of both their families and communities inside the village. We were able to ask them a series of questions ranging from their marital status to how they cope with their multiple responsibilities in the home.
When we were given the assignment to interview the village women I became nervous. Were they going to be able to understand me? Will they like me? So many different emotions ran through my mind, but I slowly became at ease when I heard the faint sound of the African drum and song growing louder and louder. All the people of the village came out in celebration, singing and dancing and welcoming us all with the warmest of spirits.
Before you know it we all were hugging, dancing and singing with the women and the village people. It was like a scene out of a movie. After the initial celebration we broke up into groups and the interviewing began. I met with a woman named Cecilia. I learned that she once had her own farm but after marrying, had to give it up to her husband. I could see the pain in her eyes as I learned more about this extreme patriarchal society. It seemed unfair to me how she was doing all the housework and fieldwork but was not involved in making financial decisions for the family. I truly felt a connection with this woman as we embraced each other at the end of the conversation.
Just as welcoming as we came, they sent us off just as nice. Before we called it a night though we were blessed enough to meet the chief of the Village. This 90 year old man had the heart and spirit of a 12 year old as he was just as welcoming as his people were. The kindness of these people touched me forever. I am having the opportunity to make friends all over the world and experience a life changing adventure. This particular trip taught me more than a textbook ever could. I will never forget the chief, Cecilia, the people, and that feeling I had singing songs and telling stories.
Additional Photos:
