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Rotary International is recognized as an organization that works throughout the world on projects such as eradicating polio and bringing fresh water sources to areas where communicable diseases are water borne. 

The following is a partial diary by local Port Elgin Rotarian, Michael Crossling, who travelled to Cameroon for a second time to help document the work of Rotary International. 

Saugeen Times appreciates the efforts that our contributors sometimes have to go to in order to submit their writings.  As with many overseas destinations, internet capability can be at a premium and, therefore, Crossling's re-countings were, at times, sporadic.  They do, however, give a flavour of 'life in Cameroon' and the work that Rotary is doing.

Beginning November 21 ...

"Sunday with the Sisters – Daughters of Mary & Joseph - Last night became so cold we used blankets in our room – not what we expected!

Monday Nov 22 – with the Sisters! - This morning we breakfasted on French baguettes, jam & ‘coffee’ – Cameroon style I could easily get used to. It puts poor Timmy’s to shame.

We arrived at the Convent & ‘Monk[ery]’ guest house and were woken up to beautiful singing of the morning service.

Kelly, being the youngest made quite a hit with Priscilla (Sister Priscilla of her Order of Daughters of St. Mary & Joseph). Any way it was Priscilla who helped us set up our computers and hook into their Wi-Fi – available in just about every bedroom.

In the morning – with lots of time to spare before our noon first meeting, Priscilla gave us a marvellous verbal presentation of her work with the needy women of Northern Cameroon – near Chad. Extremely detailed and heart breaking.

She was off for an 8 day retreat in Doula then back up north to her work.

Monday morning with Dist. Exec. – in Doula - We said our goodbyes and drove out of the religious compound after answering to the gatekeeper’s question, “Yes, yes, of course we have paid!”  (This maybe – a personal punishment for Kelly opening his car door in traffic (earlier) and causing damage to another vehicle).  As the police sergeant explained – for foreigners - NOT carrying passport, visa etc., the fine is 10,000 francs CFA. Also, the damage to the other car was about the same amount but we will let you off by means of only 10,000 CFA - which the convent said was cheap. NOW, we carry our documents at all times. What happens in Cameroon does NOT necessarily stay in Cameroon!

The next night we all realized we had NOT paid the convent!!! SLF will fix our error for us.

Monday late morning we met with the District Executive (present & past) to find out what does who to when etc fact finding.

We heard about a VERY interesting project of one Doula Club who, on their own, have financed and built 4 water points for schools – one with a latrine.

For lunch the Dist. Gov. & his exec took us into the garden for a ‘SMALL’ refreshment! Groaning food tables and groaning Rotarians who enjoyed the BEST steaks in the whole of Cameroon. Lawyers sure know how to entertain!

Another future project is to obtain a boat for the offshore/inshore islands for an island medic centre they are building so they can attract a doctor. They also have one room clinics on several small islands for doc/RN visits but no boat.

At the RC Limbe club we joined a meeting in progress and exchanged banners – there was already a Guelph banner hanging. They self finance their own projects and are ACTIVE. VERY! They also have a project to build one medical centre for a doctor & many one room overnight med clinics for the doctor & nurse to visit conduct clinics and move serious patients back to the mainland on a small boat.

They can build the med centres but need a small “air boat” capable of carrying the doc, nurse, patient etc. between all the tiny islands offshore.

We had difficulty trying to nail down what is an “air boat” so until we see a pic or diagram we will not know.

Still On Monday afternoon & EVENING!!!

We moved into a luxury hotel (3 nights, breakfasts, dinners, a ‘few’ refreshments - $250.00 CDA for the three of us!

Some clubs in NS (Pete Smith) got them a used school bus for 48 students – they carry 86. The bus looks new – new safety upholstery etc. All systems in tip top shape. We will visit the bus Thursday.

Tuesday Nov. 23rd – The famous Bolifamba Water System. Finished and only a partial success. Three stand pipes + cistern + overflow for pressure from the spring and taps etc. The water engineer made a metre mistake so we have the main cistern with the main outlet and lots of CLEAN water and one stand with only good pressure with GOOD water.

The WHO [World Health Organization] are in the village to investigate a new case of Cholera this week so the villagers were ecstatic Rotary had given them CLEAN water just when they REALLY needed it. More details later but lines of mothers & babies who had waited 35 years for safe water!

Late Tue. Morn & afternoon – Moving to a Co-op Centre where a cocoa growing course was in progress.  We took the hall to watch / listen to nutrition demonstrations and instruction. Later the malaria nets demo and a hand out to the expectant mothers and nursing mums as well as some older women who had adopted their village orphans.

KNOWING these nets WILL save the babies we saw who have now the protection against malaria is.... humbling!  A certain club one of us knows can have some HUGE satisfaction in seeing pics of Moms & babies who will NOT now die.

Wednesday  Nov 24th - Visits to our NGOs’ training locations and seeing young women setting up in business as well as young apprentice carpenters.  Several orders were placed by Rotarians for finished goods but whether they can get the goods to us in Bamenda is problematical but SLF will try.  It seems at every turn young girls presented us with new African clothes and huge hoots of laughter as they dressed us!!!

Thursday Nov 25 morning – tour of a Rotary helped school (Limbe) and their brand new used Canadian bus courtesy of RC Clubs in NS. A massive undertaking.

Then the whole day to get to the Franciscan Sisters Guest House in Bamenda & crashed after Salisbury steak meal fit for a Fon. One Rotarian asked to marry the Sister who had cooked the steak
and you probably heard the gales of laughter. They are great fun loving women who do some of the most ‘difficult’ work imaginable. You have to admire their spirit & outlook as they go about their work.

Friday Nov 26th – This  is now Monday and we have found an Internet connection – we hope.

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Wednesday, December 15, 2010