CFA

So this week's topic - money!

In Cameroon the currency is CFA (say-fuh). During training we receive a bi-weekly allowance of 40.000CFA (that is 40,000 - you use periods instead of commas). Then when we become real volunteers, we will be paid once a month - 160.000CFA - big bucks right... well not actually. Our 160.000CFA equals about $316 give or take. So basically $1.00 = 500CFA. If you would like to look yourself, I've included a link for exchange rates - check it out.

http://www.xe.com/ucc/?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=TL&utm_content=NOGEO&utm_campaign=UCCin404TL

(click on more currencies to find Cameroon)

So you are probably thinking that $316 does not sound like a lot of money. Well maybe not in the US (actually definitely not in the US) but obviously this is not the US - it's Cameroon. To give you a better idea of just how the cost of living is in Cameroon, here is mini break down of some common things I buy (at least now during training)

A long loaf of bread : 200 CFA

1 roll of toilet paper: 225 CFA

A boiled egg: 100 CFA

6M of pagne (fabric for clothing): 4.000-5.000 CFA

Toothpaste: ~300 CFA

Single serving of cookies (4 to a pack): 50 CFA

Small bag of popcorn: 50 CFA

Sugar beignet: 50 CFA

Bottle of Beer (.65 L): 500-600CFA

Bottle of coke cola 0.6L: 400-450 CFA

Bottle of water (1.5L): 400 CFA

Rent for my house: 40.000 CFA /month

So in one day, I usually just buy a few snacks (cookies, beignets, popcorn) and an egg and bread for a small sandwich - so altogether in a day I spend roughly 500 CFA aka $1.00. Not too bad - right?

But the key to getting use to the money and living here is not to think about it in dollars- you can't be converting all the time - it just doesn't work that way. You have to just ask a lot of questions - like how much does this usually cost, or what should I pay to get a dress made, etc. And it's also just trial and error. As a foreigner, I am pretty much destined to overpay at some point for something.

500 CFA & 1.000 CFA

Cool little picture right - kids in school - not quite what is on $1 bill

*Side note - 17 days left till we swear-in as volunteers! Almost done!