Thank you to our supporters video

Special Thank You

American Embassy Posts Story

The American Embassy in Yaounde has posted the story of our journey and trip and displayed how 5 CofC Enactus Students can be ambassadors of goodwill. To view the post go to: http://yaounde.usembassy.gov/mobile/lns_031513.html

Channel 4 Charleston Features Project

We have been seen by a projected 41,000 people in the Charleston area thanks to ABC Channel 4 News - we were given an entire 2 minute to describe the work and what it meant for the students who participated in the project - We are ENACTUS!

To view the video go to: http://www.abcnews4.com/story/21597473/cofc-students-return-from-service-trip-in-cameroon

Great Article in Post and Courier

Got some great press from the local newspaper, the Post and Courier about our project and impact!

http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130307/PC1606/130309518/1005/business-students-doing-outreach-in-cameroon

Home Sweet Home

After 26 hours of traveling we are finally home safe in charleston already missing our adventures, but happy to see electricity, air conditioning, and many other things that makes America so great.

We were glad to have been able to have made a difference including the 1625 kids who were exposed to hygiene education, 15 women who were provided micro loans, and 25 students who applied entrepreneurship principles in the business plan competition.

Last Last Shopping - Really

Just had to visit the local craft market for some very unique prices of music instrument, wood craft, bags and more. Of course we had to negotiate all our prices but under the watchful eye of Soule we got unique pieces to bring home. Good rules of thumb - 25% of offered price. Carolyn almost got a banjo but got another loud instrument instead.

We showed our appreciation to our driver for all he did for us (including keeping us alive - New York driving is safe compared to Cameroon driving).

Shopping for Local Goods

We visited a small boutique to buy Papua jam, coffee and spices for our respective families and friends (including some hand rolled cigars).

We followed by visiting the coffee roasting facility that included piles of coffee and view the coffee roaring process and labs with the plant manager - it was nice to see how the great coffee we enjoyed this week was made.

Journey Back Start

We depart in an hour from Yaounde to make the long trip back to the US via Douala.

@Hilton

Well not the 4 Seasons but after a long week of hot, humid, insect filled places we are sleeping in amazing accommodations - dinner was traditional but everyone was exhausted from travels, long week of activities and waking up so hearty this morning.

BizPlan Competition

We had our last biz plan competition in some on godly warm conditions (at the catholic university). We did hear all five finalists that had both diversity in scope and depth - the winner was a consulting business with a lot of potential. These were masters students who had already taken the step of forming the business and getting registered.

It was cool also talk to the coordinator of the entrepreneurship curriculum who was so inspired by our presentation on entrepreneurship two years ago that they now have it required for all masters (175 students a year and an elective course for another 70 a year). He used the materials and books we shipped to him after our visit and implementation it immediately.

Also the biz plan competition was conducted in the large hall that had our smartboard from our last trip and all our laptops are being used for in class projects too - we gave them the three new ones to offer more options for classroom technology integration.

Visited America Today

Well, for an hour we felt like we were back in the US. We arrived (thanks to our amazing driver Soule) early at the American Embassy where we were welcomed by Mika (Economic section) and Jonathan (Public Office) with whom we shared our project details and itinerary, but also some great ideas on how we could work with the embassy in the future.

They were impressed by our work and also the fact that we focused on empowerment which they say is the key to the future and successful development of Cameroon. They liked that we also realized that rural development is through agricultural programs like our micro loan program for women.

We talked about progress in the country and some of the limitations but more importantly the opportunities available to the people of Cameroon and also to some of the student team members. Carolyn who has been in this trip before is showing great interest to work in a French speaking country in some capacity and Michelle appears to see some opportunities for internships too. Of course well guarded facility but a fully air conditioned facility with fully functioning bathrooms - we are happy campers!

As Revoir Plantation

We must say good bye to our friends on the plantation, our home base for the last 6 days where Maggie made some amazing food, Abdou worked to provide some of us warm water for showers among many things but more importantly we had to say au revoir to Mubarak the team's adopted son (we did teach him some not so amazing American culture including high fives and yo yo yo) and Pedro the dog.

As we departed very early through the country side of Foumbot, we left with an amazing feeling of accomplishment but also looking forward today to wrapping up our work but also visiting the American Embassy, US land abroad.

Checking out the Local Market

We spent our last afternoon in the country side to check out the fresh produce market - future market for our micro loan recipients.

The market is actually known regionally for providing some of the best produce for Yaounde and Douala. We saw many women manning their riches and produce for sale - we are told that the market takes on a mob size on Fridays.

Joining Forces

We delivered our last supply bag (1625), distributed the last poster (120), and gave out the last soccer ball (108), and realized that kick it forward's main mission has been accomplished in the context of the local villages we were set to help.

Through hygiene education and emphasizing the importance of education, we have kicked them forward. They have been empowered and can now focus on developing their potential.

Picture below shows the important that hygiene was given in the daily life of the school by the local educational authorities who assigned hygiene as a responsibility/goal.

We have joined forced with the local villages to prevent water sicknesses (largest killer of people in Africa). Mission accomplished!

Friendly Game of Soccer

Because we had to deliver on the reward of soccer for going to school, we played a friendly game of soccer with a perfect draw - 0 - 0.

This made the trip all worth it to see them enjoy the game.

Well Deserved Rest - La Pause

Team takes a break from the unloading of supplies and hygiene lessons where we found a constant reminder that corruption is their key battle in a country where everyone wants a piece of the other's.

We were stopped by the local police force although we were traveling in a diplomatic vehicle and point blank asked to hand over half of what we had - we refused and forced the stop. All is good of course now an we are back at the plantation.

Water is Available but not Accessible

We got a painful reminder that although water systems are in place they are not accessible - we found this water well locked under key right next to one of the schools where children are forced to bring water (which was not very sanitary)

Big Around the Village

We spend the rest of the morning making a big splash in the village. We displayed with pride the CofC banner and colors with all the school supplies loaded (we had too load three times thanks to all our donors and more importantly sponsor Possibilities Without Borders - we could not have done it without them).

We conducted lessons in three schools with the reward of being in school getting each a school bag and supplies, and to the joy of kids the most important part, soccer ball for each class and the additional ones for the school administration to distribute on a need basis along with pomp.

The Power of Hygiene and Education

We made an immediate connection with the kids and their teachers this morning as we walked through our first hygiene education program one class at a time (6 classes). We emphasized that good hygiene would mean not missing school, and staying in school (providing them with school supplies) would mean they would succeed on their own - empowerment is key. Of course the kids were thrilled when we provided each class with a soccer ball for recess as their reward for being good students.

Ready, Set, Go

We are so excited for today - we have spent time working on our supplies for each of the three schools yesterday and have our piles ready (we have three schools to visit, teach at) plus the soccer tournament is going to be a lot of fun this afternoon.