School Days in Cameroon

Here's a collection of some pictures I have from multiple different schools (4) in and near Buea.  Teaching here has been a huge learning experience in so many ways.  I've witnessed many new and different styles of teaching, discipline, and accomplishing things.  I've gotten used to some things that were so different to me at first, but other things... I don't think I'll ever be "used to."

 This picture is at CRC class 1A, the new school I'm teaching at this semester, the teacher was doing a lesson on human rights and teaching the students about the flag and respect for their country.

This was when i was on my way to my interview at CRC, I didn't think interviewing for a volunteer position could be such an excitement, but it was! :)

CRC (Children's Reading Corner) is a "small school" but 400 children learn here everyday, and there are so many, MANY more schools around Buea, lots of kids!!

 playground of Hotpeck orphanage school.

This is the orphanage school, most of the children are orphans who stay at the school, but also some are from farms and villages nearby.

Classroom at Tole

Kids from Hotpeck.

The broom and "water fountain" equivalent.

teacher's desk, complete with a couple different whip options.

Whip and chalk board eraser.

One of the punishments for kids at Hotpeck is to "carry a stone" which means they're sent to kneel in the corner for a "time-out" and have to pick up one of the rocks laying there and hold it above their heads until the teacher says they can go back to their seats.  (see the two against the wall holding a rock up?) I know this isn't a very good picture, but it was one of my sneaky pictures because it really wasn't an appropriate time to take one... but I snuck it with my camera under the table... because I thought it was a shot worth capturing.  Creative punishment in my opinoin, better than the whip.

This is my English reading tutoring class at Kingston.

Kingston Students.

Proverbs 22:6  
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Ephesians 4:11-12 
And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."

Muea Market

Muea Market (sounds like "Moon ya"... took me awhile to figure out how it was spelled) is probably our favorite for the equivalent of "Wall Mart shopping" in the sense that it has about anything you're looking for... it's just a matter of finding it!

 Mary was asking one of the meat men how much a leg would cost because Trixy had been talking about getting a leg to teach them how to do sutures and stitches for closing up wounds and incisions... this is where I use my common comment... "this is why I am a teacher!!"

 This is the oven that our favorite yummy bread comes from every week.  When we first got here we heard all about this yummy bread and that the bakery was in Muea Market.  So when we were in the market we asked someone where to get the bread from the bakery.  She took us to this super rough looking plain cement building.  the outer part looked dirtier and rougher than a mechanic shop and there were guys just sitting around.  I was convinced this couldn't be the bakery, but we went in to the very inside and sure enough, all the bread was just piled in there on shelves with questionable cleanliness.  Now we're so used to it we just walk right in there and get our yummy bread.  It's also kinda fun when you see the cars they transport it to our neighborhood in.  a regular taxi, filled to the brim, seats and trunk, with bread, and no, the loaves are not in bags or "wrappers."

Beef (skin) anyone??

More Of The Fun With Ericksons

 On Friday afternoon Sarah and I set to the task of making pizza with no oven, a special treat for Friday night supper with Ericksons since it's their family tradition to have pizza every Friday night :) turned out really good, we've learned to do things I never knew you could with only a gas stove top and limited kitchen supplies.

 Making food for potluck at church.

 Girl's night out at Andrea's house, she made us lentils for a treat, only place to get them is Yaounde (6 hour bus ride away).

 Trixy and Claire tackled a Jack fruit (or in pigin, "belly fruit").  It's quite the process, they are wearing gloves because until you get into the heart of the fruit it is unbelievably sticky, next to impossible to get off, the knives used for Jack fruit are forever the Jack fruit knives because they are forever sticky.  The fruit itself, the part you eat, is not sticky but is very slimy, a texture I can't quite explain, and almost a bubblegum flavor.

 These are "weaver bird" nests.  They strip long grass like pieces of banana and plantain leaves and use them to literally weave these round nests in the trees, very neat!

 My good friend Elizabeth invited us over to share an African meal with Cheryl and Heidi

This is their kitchen, while we were posing for this picture a rat ran across the floor in front of us and I let out some sort of combination of a moan and scream while holding the pose and smile for the picture.... Elizabeth just said, "oh, a rat" with no concern at all in her voice.  Totally normal.

Speaking of rodents, we discovered we had a little friend living in our room.  Cheryl and Heidi wanted to perform a very kind deed by removing it from our room before they left, we moved everything on the floor out of the room and the rustled and banged and did everything that would scare a mouse out.  I had borrowed the cat from next door the night before, so when no mouse came out we assumed that either the cat  had gotten him, or he was just plain gone.

However, that very night, when I was laying in bed I heard something below me, we had a bag of TVP on the floor and I could hear whatever it was rustling the bag.  We do have a lizard we see around from time to time, and earlier that night Mary found a frog in the bathroom (we couldn't get him out from behind the door so had no choice but to leave him there).  So I'm laying in bed, wide awake now, not sure if it was our mouse, lizard, or frog.  I threw something in the direction of the sound, then huddled back into my covers... a few seconds later, the sound again.  I did this several times, tried whispering to Mary, but she was sound asleep.  I just laid there, didn't know what to do, couldn't sleep, just kept hearing the mouse making valiant efforts to eat my TVP!  I felt like he was mocking me!! tried to get rid of me today huh? haha, well here I am!!

I reached the bathroom light from my top bunk and sat up half expecting to see it making faces at me.  I didn't see or hear anything now... so I waited, there was no way I was going to fall asleep now, plus, I had to go to the bathroom.  I threw one more thing in the direction of the sounds and then worked up the courage to climb down from the bunk and put my feet on the floor, I took a wash bucket from the bathroom and picked up the  TVP with a long stick (you never know if the mouse OR all his friends were INSIDE that bag, just waiting to jump out at me!!).  I put it in the pail and put the lid on with a smile and sense of pleasure and accomplishment, There! NOW try to eat my TVP! 

I got back in bed but left the light on, thought maybe I could trick the mouse into thinking I was awake all night if I left the light on.  Turns out the mouse didn't care if I was awake or not, now that the TVP was safely stowed in our washing machine he moved on to whatever was under Mary's bed.  Granted I'm pretty sure it was only one mouse, it made enough noise for an army of rats!  I had been courageous, but there was NO way I was going to reach under Mary's bed and rescue the trail mix or whatever it was she had under there.  The light stayed on all night, and I was awake until after 2, helplessly listening to the unwelcome visitor rummage around our bed, I'm sure laughing the whole time.

Public Restrooms

Yet another experience with "public restrooms" that I just have to share with all of you, and the whole thing made me decide it's time to post my collection of restroom pictures!

We were at the women's day celebrations today up in Bongo Square.  As the lady in charge was announcing "what today's schedule will look like" she inserted a little plug for the newest development in Bongo Square.  Buea is proud to present a new public restroom!!  As she announced the new addition she proudly stated that, "we are growing!  Now you will not need to wonder, 'where will I ease myself?'" 

Later on in the day I needed to blow my nose because this cold is still hanging around, Mary suggested I check out the new public restrooms.  I was sure there would be no toilet paper there but I decided to check it out anyway.  When I reached the restrooms I was ushered in and found what I was expecting, no toilet paper, I didn't need to use the restroom, only wanted to blow my nose and there was no toilet paper; but the lady who had ushered me in was standing right outside.  I felt weird to just go in and right back out, so I just stood there long enough to have used the toilet so that it would seem less awkward.  I tried the sink on my way out just because, but of course there was no water.   As soon as I left the restroom the usher silently but purposefully pointed at the sign I had completely missed on the way in.  It was an itemized list of which facility you used inside the facility and the charge for each!  I was dumbfounded!  I hadn't actually used any of the facilities!! I only was looking for toilet paper!  but how was I going to explain that one, especially after standing in there long enough to make it look like I had... so I gave her a bill and as she was looking for my change I noticed wads of toilet paper laying on her table... I had to pay for a facility I didn't even use and had been jipped of my toilet paper!  In theory, toilet paper does you no good after you've already been in the bathroom, but as she handed me my changed I seized a wad and left.  Public restrooms, always an adventure, although I didn't get a shot of the tolled bathroom, here's a collection of a few shots I've gotten over the last few months, there's so many more I don't have proof of though.

 This is a toilet in the Brussels airport.  I was intrigued by the thought that this was the first non-American toilet I had ever seen, so, for some strange reason, I took a picture.  Little did I know, back in September that this European toilet would be the beginning of a rather interesting collection of foreign restroom facility photographs.

 This lovely model is a Mount Cameroon Hut 1 style.

 This one is very similar to the last, however, this Hut 2 model sports an awesome cobweb collection in place of the trendy mold in the last.

 This is a fancy upgrade from the traditional hole.  Same concept as the Mount Cameroon hut style, only a more modern approach if you will.

 a rather educational sign found in a bathroom in the nation's capital (Yaounde), do not stand and squat on the seat, simply sit.  

 Don't worry, it's just wear and tear on the seat... and lid, nothing else.

 This style is one of my favorites, helps you know where to position your feet!

 This restroom was erected with the help of one of our own, Spencer Way helped our friend Hache build this onto his family's home in Koza.

...and the last facility I have captured on film is another lovely floor model, this one is located at the General Hospital here in Buea.


A funny little additional story...  We've noticed that most anywhere along the road seems to be fare game for "public restrooms" around here but have also noticed that it seems to only be the men's restrooms, seldom if ever do you notice the ladies.  Well, the other day we witnessed two "women's restrooms" along the road right in a row as we were driving by.  Just like you might see a man standing outside the little girls' room in a mall or restaurant, waitin' on a woman, there was a guy standing right behind her, just waiting to continue on their way.  I'm not totally apposed to the style, only I feel it's an "out in the field with NOBODY around" type of style... I know this post might seem like something kinda bold and should be a more private topic, but there's nothing private about easing yourself around here.

Women's Day

 Happy International Women's Day!

You may not have realized that today was International Women's Day but here in Cameroon they know how to celebrate!  The festivities today were pretty impressive.  Mary and I helped at a little table with another health outreach organization and took free blood pressures for the ladies today.  It was pretty exciting.

 One of the little entertainments, showing the hard work of ladies.

^{Proverbs 31:10-31
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11} Her husband has full confidence in her 

   and lacks nothing of value. 

¹² She brings him good, not harm, 

   all the days of her life. 

¹³ She selects wool and flax 

   and works with eager hands. 

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships, 

   bringing her food from afar. 

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night; 

   she provides food for her family 

   and portions for her female servants. 

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it; 

   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 

¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously; 

   her arms are strong for her tasks. 

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable, 

   and her lamp does not go out at night. 

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff 

   and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor 

   and extends her hands to the needy. 

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household; 

   for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 

²² She makes coverings for her bed; 

   she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate, 

   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them, 

   and supplies the merchants with sashes. 

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity; 

   she can laugh at the days to come. 

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom, 

   and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household 

   and does not eat the bread of idleness. 

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed; 

   her husband also, and he praises her: 

²⁹ “Many women do noble things, 

   but you surpass them all.” 

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; 

   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. 

North Trip Part Eight ~ P.S! Mozogo

The other day some memories from our trip to the north were floating around in my head when I realized I hadn't posted about them!!  I had ever intention of doing a post on our trip to Mozogo but somewhere in organizing the other 7 posts it totally slipped my mind!! So here's a little P.S. post from our trip north.

One morning we pulled ourselves out of bed before the crack of dawn, hopped on some mottos, and headed to nearby Mozogo where it was said we'd be able to see some baboons!  I didn't know it could get so cold in Cameroon!!! That 5:30am motto ride was the most freezing experience I've had since a North Dakota winter!! It took me until long after sunrise to finally feel warmth in my body again!  The reason we went so early is because there was a very specific time for seeing baboons in the forest.  However, despite our sleep sacrifice and freezing transportation... we had mechanical difficulties with the mottos, didn't reach the forest on time, and ended up unsuccessful in our mission :(  it was dissapointing, but it was none-the-less a fun day!  These two little boys are natives of the area and know the baboons well, they took us through the forest trying to help us spot some, but to no avail.

We knew we were at least in the right place because there were little (and big) baboon hand and footprints for proof!

Some wide open space, right beside the forest.

This is just the branches of a HUGE dead tree that was tipped over.

The baboon forest is right beside some onion fields and the baboons apparen'tly have a strong appreciation for onions... so these little shelters are for the onion guards to sleep in at night, kinda reminds me of trying to keep the raccoons out of the corn field!

At the end of the day, after seeing no baboons, Mary and I thought it'd make the rest feel better to see some "monkeys" trying to steal some onions!

Church

Our church and church family here in Buea has been a huge blessing to Mary and I.  Today it was a great joy to take Cheryl and Heidi to experience our wonderful church.  I did an object lesson illustration for the kids' Sabbath School, the children's story was great, and mum Rugina had an excellent sermon today.  The whole service today was done by the women in honor of women's week and women's day which is this coming Thursday.

Our new African dresses!

Mary getting her hair plated after church :)

These twins are just the cutest!  Today's favorite game was sit on a lap, throw yourself back, and then giggle uncontrollably when you get tickled!!  Then squirm into a sitting position crumple into a hug, then throw yourself back again...

Cheryl and Heidi were even lucky enough to get in on a potluck!! Mmmmm! (our contribution was one of the rice dishes.... I guess we pass as Cameroonian cooks, because our big pot was cleaned out!).

The Erickson girls!

Just too adorable!

I just LOVE these expressions!!?  Can you come up with a caption for this picture?

Mauye enjoying and concentrating on a serious thumb war!