I've posted some pictures taken recently with my new camera. My third since arriving in country. I hope I can protect this one until the end of my service next year. These are photo's from the recent graduation of one on my Business Classes. There were 21 diplomas granted. Over 50 individuals attended at least one of the 12 sessions, but these folks finished the whole thing. A fasci...

It astounds me that this is already my second Thanksgiving Holiday in Cameroon. Today is business as usual for me. Not a holiday here, but it is fun explaing it to my Cameroonian colleagues and friends. I haven"t seen a turkey since I"ve arrived in country. But I"m told there are turkeys in the country somewhere. Regardless, it is definitely not a staple. And I do...

OK, I know you are all probably sick of it, but for the sake of recording my experience, and to respond to a request from one of my offspring, a few words about the election. I cannot overstate the impact of Obama winning the election on people here in Cameroon. It is tremendous!! In one fell swoop the United States is the most amazing and admired country. Only the United S...

While working with a local Cameroonian businessman on evaluating an opportunity to develop a brick making operation. My client was approached with a new business proposition. He was asked to invest in a venture to bring a new distributor of bottled gas to the Grand North (Adamoua, North, and Extreme North). At this time the region is served by 3 firms - Total, CamGas and Mo...

Despite my best efforts I've failed to keep my promise to post something on my activities. I've failed miderably! My reasons are the crashing of my internal hard disk on my laptop deprived me of my ability to write when I have quiet time; I've been been teaching 4 different businesses classes; continuing my work in the village of Mayo Dadi; advising several individual businesses and poten...

As a result of a series of contacts I"ve been introduced to a village just south of Garoua. The village is called Maayo Dadi, and is just outside of Jalingo. Maayo Dadi has no electricity, no running water, the villagers do not speak French or English just Fulfulde. The woman cannot read or write or count. It is amazing that just twenty minutes outside of Garoua, the Provincial Ca...

Today (June 9) is the one year anniversary of my arrival in Cameroon. Much has happened since that traumatic day. Most importantly recovering from the trauma, and then actually enjoying my time here. I expect my remaining 15 months will be just as exciting, and profound, as the first 12 months. Many of you have asked me about my health and I have been deliberately coy...

Yesterday I went to the village of Gashiga to participate in a ceremony opening a Computer Center at the local High School. Parker Bennett is the Peace Corps Volunteer in Gashiga, and she has been working on this project during her service here. The US embassy contributed some computers to the project, and hence the Ambassador"s visit for the Grand Opening! A visit by the Ambassador is a hu...

(Apr 23) After no rain since October, last night it rained. I was awakened at midnight by the overwhelming crash of a downpour on my tin roof. I was up in a snap not knowing what was happening. I stumbled to the door and lo and behold a torrential rain! I almost called someone, anyone, to express the joy of seeing water falling from the heavens. I could almost see the steam rising from the parched...