Let's Talk About School

Well I guess I should share a bit about school here in Cameroon seeing as how that's where I spend a good amount of my time being a teacher and all. But let me preface/warn that school here is so different from school in America that I will most likely end up writing multiple entries and still not even cover but half of how different it is. And even then it's really just one of those things you would have to experience to fully grasp. But I will try. Here we go.

Where to begin- mmm with the students. Let's take a look from a student's point of view. Ok scenario- so it's a week or two before school starts. Youneed to register with the school. When you do so, you must show a medical card with your medical history. You also need to pay which depending on your grade level could vary from not too expensive (10,000cfa) to kind of really expensive (30,000+cfa) (when you at least compare to the fact that school is free in the US). Then you need to get your uniform made. At my school, they all wear a solid blue uniform. Girls must of course wear a dress while boys wear pants and a button up. On your uniform, you must also have your name and class stitched on the chest in red thread. Then if you have the money, you would try to buy some of the books for a few of your classes (but most do not- for example in my class with about 60 students, maybe 6 have the book). Ok now you are set for school.

Well school stars the first week of September but you kind of go maybe if you don't have other things going on. And if you do go, you maybe have class if any teachers show up to teach. Then after the first week, everyone is for the most part finally back and things are moving. So Monday morning you get up and get moving to school. Depending on how far you live, you will want to leave around 6:30am to walk to school and be there by 7:15am. (Now keep in mind this is just my school in my town. It takes me 45 mins - I think other students are even farther). Also it being Monday, you should really try to be a little early for the assembly- every Monday you and all the students line up in front of the flagpole. You watch some students raise the Cameroonian flag and sing the national hymn. Then the principal addresses the entire school.

Monday Assembly

Ok now school can start. You slowly startto see what your schedule is like. As a student, you stay in one classroom with the same group of students all day which the size of your class could vary from maybe 30-100+. Your teachers come in during their period and teach. You have about 8 different subjects although you could possibly not have a teacher for a subject or two. Classes are an hour long starting at 7:30am and ending at 3:00pm. You have 2 breaks a day- one 15-minutes and one 20-minutes. During the breaks, you can go to the 'market' aka the area where a few moms come and sell food like beignets, bread and beans but remember there isn't exactly a cafeteria or placeto sit down and eat. On Wednesday school ends early- 12:40 for clubs which may or may not actually function. And then you could possibly have class on Saturday if a teacher needs to make up classes. Now subjects vary from good old math, English, French, history and sciences But now don't forget manual labor- yes this is a class and you get a grade for it.

Students walking home from school

In class you sit on a wooden bench connected to a table all of which is long enough to fit up to about 6-7 students (small students that is). During class you copy a bunch of notes as you probably don't have books so you will want to make sure you get all the notes you can to study. In your classroom, you only have the desks and blackboard. As a student, you are also expected to keep your classroom clean to the chef de classe (head of class) will create groups of students and you will be assigned a day every week to clean the room.

Ok well that is just a brief intro to school here in Cameroon or at least here in my town Banyo. I'll add more later for sure....

Getting Around

So getting around aka like going anywhere is a little different here. You can't exactly just jump into you car and hit the road. Nope.

So starting with the basics- first you can always walk. Yes good old walking on foot. This is my personal favorite mode of transportation and the one I use most often. I walk to the market, to other people's houses, even to school. Walking is nice - you get to see people and enjoy the town, get some exercise and enjoy the weather. Now walking does take some time though so you need to plan. For example, I get up at 5am every morning so I can leave by 6:30am because it's about a 45 minute walk to school. But it's not bad and hey walking is free.

Well if you are running late, maybe it's extra hot out or there's a lot of mud or dust - your next option for getting where you need to go is a moto taxi. Here in Banyo, next to walking this is about the only other way you can get anywhere in town (unless you happen to have your own car which most people don't). So you can find a moto just about anywhere walking down the street. Some intersections are busier than others. And you do need to be a bit cautionary - some of these drivers haven't exactly finished school aka they are maybe 15 years old so you need to first tell them where you want to go. Then tell them 'doucement' so they don't drive like a speed maniac and then of course if along the way it appears they are going in the wrong direction, just point them in the correct one- they are not known for their accuracy or knowledge of some locations in town. But motos are certainly convenient and usually only 100CFA a trip so not bad. And you would be very surprised at what a moto driver can carry or how many people he can fit on one bike. I've seen 5 people on one and I've personally carried a table on another.

Moto drivers in the market

Now by foot and motos are for in town travel. When it comes to travelling to other cities and around the country, you have some other options. There are agencies where you buy a ticket to a city and you usually go in a van. Here is Banyo there are a few agencies to choose from. They are not too bad- it just depends on how long you ride is and how bad the road is. And again, as with motos, you'd be suprised how much stuff and how many people they can cram into one van (look back at my entry about getting to post- you can see just how much crap they can pile on top).

Mayo Banyo Voyage

MBV Van

Another option is taking a private vehicle. Now I have not yet done this to a larger city, but you go to a gare and pay for a seat and then basically have to wait around until all the seats are sold and the car is ready to go. The cars are for some reason usually red and old little Toyotas. And now if you think after 5 seats have been sold that means the car is full, you are mistaken. Nope, at least 7 passengers in a car. And I took a car one time to a smaller town about 45 minutes away- we had 4 people up front, 5 in the back seat and 2 people sat on the roof. Anything is possible.

Gare in Banyo

Then another option if you are heading to the north from maybe the capital is the train. And you cant take this at night but don't think that means you'll be getting much sleep while traveling. Apparently you need to watch your stuff pretty well while on the train.

Now these are just some of the more common ways of getting around in town and to other towns. There are a few more options- like in bigger cities you can take a regular car taxi- but their still not like taxis back home- oh no- just because you are in the car does not mean the driver will not pick up more passengers along the way. They really economise here. Oh and then did I also mention that most of the roads are not paved- yeah. So some things to keep in mind while traveling- wear comfortable clothes, maybe take a book because you will most likely be waiting around for a car or van to leave (oh yeah they never leave on time if they even have a scheduled time to begin with at all), be prepared in case you car breaks down or you get stuck along the road, oh and make sure when traveling to other towns you take your identity card- you will be stopped by the police. And as overwhelming as traveling and transportation can be sometimes, it is certainly an adventure. So you have that to look forward to.

World Teachers Day!

October 5 - what do you think of when you hear this date? Just another regular day? Well maybe in America, but here in Cameroon October 5 is a day dedicated to celebrating teachers! It is World Teachers Day (journee mondiale de l'enseignant - it is an international holiday so Cameroon isn't the only country celebrating). But what exactly goes on for this day?

Well the festivities first kicked off or atleast preparation for festivities began about 2 weeks prior when the teachers began purchasing pagne (fabric) for the day. (Yes I don't think I've mentioned this, but of course every holiday gets its very own fabric every year so of course you have to buy it) Anyway so my school began collecting money and fabric came in. Well then of course you have to get something (an outfit) made. Well all the female teachers at my school decided we should all wear not only obvious matching fabric but a matching style outfit. So we all got our fabric and met up at the tailor and after about an hour debate between a dress or a kabba (traditional outfit-) and in the end, the kabba somehow won out. But overall I was happy and didn't mind- it was niceto be included with the teachers and I mean of course I need my very own kabba so mind as well be teachers day pagne.

Teacher Day Pagne!

the kabba!

The next event for teachers day was actually the Saturday before (October 2) - an athletic walk. Teachers (from not only my school, butall theschools in Banyo) were to meet at 6:30am to walk to the market in Tiket. Well now I showed up at 6:30 and thought this would maybe be an hour walk tops. But oh how I was mistaken. Tiket is actually quite a walk outside Banyo. I almost thought we'd end up in Nigeria (not really though). But we walked and walked and walked some more and finally arrived at the market in Tiket - about 45-60 minute walk out. Then before turning around, we of course had to do some stretches and mini-aerobics exercises. Upon returning to Banyo around 9:30am, we were treated to juice, water and of course everyone wants a beer at 9:30am so there was that as well. Andalthough I was slightly tired and sweaty, overall the walk as nice - got to see Tiket and lots of countryside and some exercise.

Now- for the actual October 5. For starters, there was no school (duh) but alas we teachers still needed to wake up early for a parade which was to start at 8:00am. So I got up, put on my kabba and grabbed my camera. Walking to the meeting point, people shout "bonne fete" - very nice. Then well the parade was on African time- so it actually started a little after 9am - we all got into rows, the drums and horn started and off we went down the main strip of Banyo to the technical high school. Upon arrival, all teachers filed in to hear some speeches and a round table discussion all followed by cocktails.

Parade

Then later in the afternoon, there was a football (aka soccer) match between secondary and elementary school teachers. And then even later in the evening there were various parties at people's house with food and drinks and dancing. Which unfortunately I have did not attend - but let me explain - one downside to Teachers Day - there is school the next day. So if you go out and party, you still have to get up around 5am (or at least I do to be at school by 7:30) so I passed on the evening party in exchange for a good night sleep. But all around, teachers day was a nice break from school and a day dedicated to celebrating teachers. And I have another year to do it all again so maybe next year I will actually attend the party.

Fantasia!

So this weekend I saw Fantasia - and no I'm not talking about the Disney movie although that would have been nice.

So this whole weekend was one big fete (party)- fete de Ramadan to be exact- to signal the end of fasting. Thing semi-started Wednesday night - that was when people waited to see if the moon was visible which if so would signal the end of fasting and the beginning of the fete! But alas, Wednesday night there was no moon to be seen so Thursday was like any other day (aka I had to go to school to teach). But since the fete did not begin Thursday, that meant it would begin Friday!

Friday's events included a prayer which I attempted to attend however no Cameroonian informed me or the other volunteer that the prayer does not actually happen at the mosque but rather much farther out of town near the lycee. So we sat and waited for over an hour at the mosque but although we missed the prayer we did see the Lamido ride into the chefferie. I felt like I was in Aladdin when he parades into the palace. The Lamido came around the corner surrounded by people. Hewas on a horse of course and someone following him carrying a large umbrella (like one you might have on your patio furniture). There were horns blarring and people drumming- rather intimidating.

Anyway- so later that evening, there was 'feting' to be done (franglais for 'partying'). People make lots of food and invite friends over, dress up, dance, etc. I went to my neighbor's house for a bit- had some cake, plantains, chicken, croquettes- all delish. Then later in the evening I went with the my postmate (a healthvolunteer) and her health club that she runs to see them in action (selling condoms at the discotheque). So Friday was jam packed and I was exhausted at night butttt things got even better Saturday....there was FANTASIA!!

Ok before I get to that Fantasia, so Saturday was more feting - more food, more dressing up, more invites to people's houses. So before Fantasia, I went to another neighbor's house for more delish food. This was around 3:30pm and already the anticipation for Fantasia was building up and by the time we walked to the chefferie, there was a huge crowd of people everywhere and it was rather difficult to even find a spot to see...but of course we made our way through.

And now Fantasia! (fawn-ta-zia in french). The simplest way to describe it is like a mini-horse race. Everyone comes out - all the people in town, the big-wigs (like the prefet, sous-prefet, ministers, etc- oh and of course the Lamido). And then different people (I assume part of the chefferie) race horses down the street. And the Lamido waits at the end and all the people kind of salute him as they approach by raising their fists or swords. And the whole time, there are people blowing horns and these women kind of yelling ay,ay,ay every now and then. The actual Fantasia lasts about 30 minutes. But man people hung around the chefferie for hours after- people were still out dancing and just hanging out when I came home Saturday night.

Then Sunday the weekend feting was winding down. There was another Fantasia but not quite as big (the important people didn't come out for this one). But pretty much all day long horns and drums could be heard (at least at my house since I live behind the chefferie). And now all of it is over and we all have returned to regular activities like school. But no worries - there will be another fete in November with more festivities!

Barka de sallah! Bonne fete!

One of horses during Fantasia (although no one rode on this one...)

A little little bit of the crowd....soooo many people and very colorful (although you can't tell in this picture...)

FANTASIA horses!

One of the horn blowers

First Week

Well I've made it through my first week at post. Can't say that I've made too much progress on my house but I am very excited and proud that I got one major job completed - getting screens installed on all the windows. Really a lot more work than you think - and I don't mean the installing (because I didn't do that) but I mean finding someone and finding the screens and working with the person to get it all figured out. Also quite expensive. But it's over and done - screens are on all the windows and yet I still have bugs in my house but that's inevitable. At least it's just not as many bugs now.

Next big project - getting the walls painted. Unfortunately I don't forsee this happening for a while so in the mean time I am working on at least cleaning the walls. Which I have done the hallway - that took only about a good 6 hours. Yep. A lot more work than you think.

Home Sweet Home

So question for that day - if there are used sheets on your bed and they have been there for so long that they have started to grow mold and then you hand wash them - are they okay to use? Thoughts?

Banyo or Bust

Well we have officially made it - officially a Peace Corps Volunteer and officially made it to post with all of my stuff and nothing too broken or wet.

All 43 of us swore in on Wednesday August 18th at the place des fetes in Bafia in our lovely matching tacky pagne (I will have to put up pictures later). And had a nice little luncheon with our host families. Then after a fun last night in Bafia, we all packed up our things - which for me somehow in just 2 months my luggage doubled - and we all went to off to our posts. Really a fun travel experience - carting a huge suitcase, duffle bag, 4 boxes, a water filter, 2 helmets, a bookbag, purse oh and a mountain bike across Cameroon. And this time for the van ride between Bafoussam and Banyo - a new record - almost 12 hours. But no worries it really was not as bad as I thought it would be and my neighbor even heated water up for me so I had a nice warm bucket bath my first night.

So how many people do you think can fit in here? If you guessed about 25 your pretty close

Van - I think half of the crap on top is mine

Could your car make it through this? Surprisingly our van did and left the 2 trucks and 2 cars behind

Then things only got better. Sunday 2 volunteers from nearby towns aka towns about 2-5 hours away came and helped me out for a few days. So I had some amazing food - pizza, mexican, spaghetti omelet - all delish. And did some shopping, got to see lots of Banyo especially since some of our moto drivers took a few wrong turns, met lots of important people to let them know I was here - very busy very busy.

And now it's Wednesday - can't believe it. The volunteers have gone back and I am in Banyo by myself (my postmate is in Yaounde for until September). It's only 1pm and today has already been tying. I still have a million things I need to buy and even more things I need to fix in my house like getting screens installed, leaks fixed, and walls painted just to name a few. And it's not like I can just go to Lowes here and buy everything nope - it's just a bit more than that. Oh and if it wasn't clear already, internet is not quite as readily available as it has been so that's also on my list of things to work on.

Well I am off now to hunt for household items and attempt to put on a strong front so I can bargain for at least somewhat descent prices. Wish me luck!

Family Life

So I debated this weeks topic - religion or host family life. I figure since I will be moving out of my homestay house in less than 2 weeks that maybe I should cover that first... and besides I will touch a bit on religion in just talking about homestay life anyway.

So to begin- I will try to give a basic breakdown of the members of my homestay family (I will warn this is going to be confusing)

Grandma Rosalie Ngon - the matriarch of the house
Constance - granddaughter but like 30 some maybe
Poupette - Constance's daughter, 6 year old
Princesse - 11 year old 'sister'
Jeaunot - 13 year old 'brother'
Diane - 12 year old 'sister'
Brice - 17 years old (I think)
Olivier - 22 years old
Meme - an older sister
Dani - an aunt
Man who I don't know name - Dani's husband

So I put sister,brother, etc next to their names but actually they are all like cousins. Only a few are actually brother and sister. And the only one who actually has their mom living with us is Poupette (Constance is her mom). For example, so Princesse and Jeaunot are brother and sister but their mom lives in Yaounde. And then like Olivier is only visiting Grandma Rosalie for the summer (which a lot of them are also doing - so I don't know for sure who exactly lives in the house year-round). Then as another note, this is just the list of people that are regularly at the house and sleep there ...but there is a slew of other people who have come and gone and stayed for various periods of time.

Then another note about names. The majority of the names I have listed are their 'surnames' basically meaning their nicknames. They have another like 3 - 4 names that are their real names but their surnames are just used 'around the house' is the best way to put it. So for example here is Poupette's full name:

Last Name: Ngon First Name: Andreas Judith Merveille Surname: Poupette

If you are lost a little, it's okay - I still don't quite understand. I just know that I had Constance write out what you could call a family tree and that's the only was I was able to learn most of everyone's name (which I still don't know who exactly some people are and it's just too late to even try to ask or figure it out now). But this confusion of family members is the first aspect of family life to comment on - here it is not just the 'nuclear family' (like parents and children) is each house but extended family all lives together and people come and go - it's not just my host family. That's just how they do here - family members are constantly coming and going - one week there will be only 4 people in the house and the next there will be almost 20.

Now the grandmother is retired and to my knowledge, no one else really works (I think Dani's husband is a pastor but I could be totally wrong). And as far as daily family life goes, it is a bit uneventful but also a little hard to describe. No one is ususally awake when I leave for training at 7 but obviously they are all up when I get back around 5:00pm. The kids usually watch TV or play video games (yes they have a playstation - crazy - I think a relative who lives in France gave it to them- you won't be finding that here). We eat 'dinner' around 5- 5:30 which in the beginning we would all sit down together around the table and prayer first and everything but now it's a serve-yourself and eat in the living room while watching TV thing (which is perfectly fine with me). Then we just 'hang out' which means I read or write, they watch TV, play games. Every now and then I play card games with the younger girls.

Then comes 8:00pm.
8:00pm is a special time in my homestay house - it's prayer time. Yep. We all gather in the living room at 8:00pm every night. Then here is the basic schedule

• Opening prayer
• Hymn (sung in Bafia- local language)
• Someone reads a psaum
• Hymn (in Bafia again)
• Prayer
• Reading of a Bible passage by whoever happens to feel like reading (the Grandmother has a Bible reader that has a daily reading & lesson)
• Answering of questions about Bible passage
• Reading of commentary of Bible passage (done by Grandma)
• Hymn
• Closing Prayer (This changes on a nighly basis - one night is confession, another is wishes, and there are a few other types)

So altogether it's anywhere from 30 mins - 1 hour. And incase you didn't catch it - there are 3 prayers in that whole thing - yep. Again, this is done on a nightly basis and we have never not done it (actually except for these past 2 nights only because the grandmother left for a funeral). Also, so Sunday's are extra fun because not only do we do this in the evening but we also spend about 2.5 hours at church in the morning. Anywhere - enough about that (as I said, I will discuss religion another time).

After prayer, there is usually another meal around 9:30 - 10:00pm or whenever it is ready. Sometimes it is just dinner leftovers, sometimes it is something new. Depending on what they are eating or what time they eat, I choose to partake in this meal but usually I am dying to go to bed by this point. And I have tried to explain multiple times that eating right before bed is not really an American thing (if anything I feel like people try not to eat a good couple of hours before bed) but the Grandmother just doesn't always get that and gets made sometimes if I like don't eat.

Then the family usually stays up till some rediculous hour. I've woken up before at 1am and they are definitely still up. So that explains why they don't wake up till 8 - 9.

Ok now that is the basic daily routine but inbetween all of that there are lots of good times, memorable moments, many misunderstandings and culture clashes. And obviously every trainee here has a slightly different experience. But overall, living with a Cameroonian family has not been that bad. I mean I have never lived with a family other than my own so I was quite worried but I mean they really consider you family. Just the other night when the Grandmother was telling me that she would be gone, she was like 'If you need anything you let me know. You are my daughter' (obviously in French though - they don't speak English). And they have even asked me multiple times about Christmas already and told me I should come back to celebrate it with them.