Global Conscience Initiative
Orientation Manual for Volunteers/Interns
Revised September 2009
1. Introduction & websites
2. Cameroon in brief
3. Preparing for your trip
4. Things to bring
5. Travel details
6. General Travel Tips
7. Communications
8. Accommodation:
9. Dress
10. Photography
11. Security
12. Being a Stranger in Kumba
13. Lunch and Snacks for the Workday
14. Shopping
15. Transportation
16. Weather
17. Water
18. Electricity
19. Health
20. Money
21. Activities
22. Language
23. Religion
1. Introduction
This orientation booklet is intended to provide you with some information that we hope will help you settle into the routine of living and working in Cameroon . We try to keep the information up to date and accurate. Please advise us of any errors or omissions so that we can make the necessary changes.
For general travel information on Cameroon , the Bradt guide to Cameroon and Lonely Planet guide to West Africa will provide a broad picture of the country. For additional information you can use the internet. eg. the BBC news website or the UN website.
If there is information that currently is not included in this book but you believe would be helpful to future volunteers, please forward it to GCI. We will be happy to include it in the next update.
Enjoy your time in Cameroon !
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2. Cameroon in Brief
Cameroon began its independence with a bloody insurrection which was suppressed only with the help of French forces.
There followed 20 years of repressive government under President Ahmadou Ahidjo. Nonetheless, Cameroon saw investment in agriculture, education, health care and transport.
In 1982 Mr Ahidjo was succeeded by his prime minister, Paul Biya. Faced with popular discontent, Mr Biya allowed multi-party presidential elections in 1992, which he won.
In 1994 and 1996 Cameroon and Nigeria fought over the disputed, oil-rich Bakassi peninsula. Nigeria withdrew its troops from the area in 2006 in line with an international court ruling which awarded sovereignty to Cameroon .
In November 2007 the Nigerian senate passed a motion declaring as illegal the Nigeria-Cameroon agreement for the Bakassi Peninsula to be handed over to Cameroon .
Internally, there are tensions over the two mainly English-speaking southern provinces. A secessionist movement, the Southern Cameroon National Council (SCNC), emerged in the 1990s and has been declared as illegal.
Cameroon has one of the highest literacy rates in Africa . However, the country's progress is hampered by a level of corruption that is among the highest in the world.
In 1986 Cameroon made the world headlines when poisonous gases escaped from Lake Nyos , killing nearly 2,000 people.
(Country Profile from BBC News online)
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3. Preparing for your trip
Vaccinations
It is important to arrange for your vaccines at least 6 weeks in advance of your departure. It is important to find out what vaccines you need as soon as you know you are going to Cameroon ; some may require more than one injection over a period of time. Your local travel clinic can advise you on this. You need a certificate of Yellow Fever vaccination to enter Cameroon . Anti-malaria tablets can be obtained in Kumba, but make sure you bring enough to start you off.
Passport
You should make sure your passport is valid for at least six months and that there are two free pages next to each other for your visa.
Visa Requirements
Contact the embassy of Cameroon in your country to find out how to apply for a visa. Once in Cameroon , if you need to extend your visa for a few days to correspond with the date of your flight out of the country, you can obtain a seven day exit visa from the immigration office in Buea. But if you need to extend your visa for a longer duration, you will have to travel to Yaounde and be prepared to spend at least a week for the process.
Baggage Regulations
Baggage weight allowances and size regulations differ greatly depending on the airline or airlines you will be using during your trip. These various regulations are now strictly adhered to.
It is in your interest to check each airline for their checked and carry on restrictions. If your baggage is overweight you will find yourself paying a great deal of money at check-in. The same applies to baggage size. Charter and low-cost airlines in particular enforce these regulations without fail. Some airlines will not permit carry-on bags with wheels. Familiarize yourself with these regulations before you start packing.
It is also important to check the current security restrictions on what can and cannot go in carry-on bags and checked luggage. Many North American and European airports currently prohibit liquids and gels in packages greater 100mL in volume even if they are only half-full. If you have toothpaste, shampoo, moisturizes etc, make sure they are in containers under 100 ml in size if you plan on putting them in your hand luggage put them in a sealed zip lock bag (they will make you do this at the airport too, make sure the liquids are easily accessible to remove during the security screening), if they are larger, package them securely in your suitcase in case they leak or break.
Medicines
All prescriptions must remain in their original containers with the labels intact. If you are bringing medications with you, it is a good idea to pack these in your carry-on. A lost bag containing essential medicine could be difficult to replace. You can check each airline regarding the regulations for carrying prescriptions (especially liquids) on board.
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4. Things to Bring
Most of the things you will need can be purchased locally, so don't worry if you forget something. However, here is a short list of things that you will find very useful when you arrive:
• Torch (preferably a wind-up one)
• Umbrella (can buy here) or rain jacket (particularly in the rainy season)
• Basic first aid kit – plasters, antiseptic cream, bandages, stomach meds (immodium, pepto, etc.), Tylenol.
• Lots of underwear (washing by hand wears holes in them faster than you can imagine!)
• Any specific brands of toiletries that you are particularly attached to.
• Flip-flops for indoors.
• A hand-held paper fan.
• Sun cream.
• Insect repellent and antihistamine cream.
• Mosquito net.
• Converters and adaptors for any electronics.
• Hand sanitizer (enough to last the duration of your stay – you will probably want to use it at least once a day - and a small bottle to carry it in your bag).
• Laptop – if you have one you will find it VERY useful for your work in the office, where there is always competition for computers, as well as for watching films at home. Good anti-virus software is ESSENTIAL.
• Flash drive/ memory stick for sharing info in the office.
• Towel.
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5. Travel Details
Arrival
On arrival at Douala Airport you will have to show both your valid Yellow Fever certificate and your passport with visa.
When you collect your bags, try to carry them yourself rather than allowing anyone to help you. It is only a short distance to the exit. If really need help, make sure you agree a price (200 francs is normal) before the porter picks up your bags.
Airport Pickup
You will be met at the airport by a GCI staff member who will drive you to your accommodation. This costs US$100.00. The journey takes around 3 hours.
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6. General Travel Information
Travelling is fun and if you pay attention to a few important details it can be worry-free, no matter how complicated your itinerary.
Carry only the essentials with you. Empty your wallet and handbag of all unnecessary items.
Photocopy the first page of your passport; all of your international vaccination card, credit cards, bank cards etc and leave a copy with someone you trust (family) at home. Another photocopy would be useful to keep with you so you can keep the original copies locked safely away and carry the photocopy with you.
Pay attention to baggage size and weight restrictions and the various security regulations.
Leave enough time to check-in. This is especially important in larger airports. There can be long queues for check-in and also to get through security.
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7. Communications
Mobile Phones
Quadband phones work in Cameroon . Some Triband and Dualband phones work. You can check this before you leave and may need to have it unlocked to work in Cameroon . If it doesn't work when you arrive in Cameroon you will be able to find someone who can unlock it in Douala . Otherwise, you can purchase a basic phone for around 30,000 CFA.
Once you have a phone, you can purchase an MTN SIM card for CFA 2,000 which includes credit. The SIM card gives you a telephone number. The SIM card slips into a spot at the back of your phone behind the battery. To make calls, you need to purchase top-up cards for MTN. Load the credit onto your phone by following the instructions on the back of your scratch card. Orange is the other network provider in Cameroon and has a similar set up but Global Conscience insists on MTN for easier communication between staff..
If you do not have a mobile phone, you can make local and international calls from telephone kiosks.
Internet Cafés
Azi Motel on Buea Road is popular with GCI international interns. You can buy internet time for between 150 francs for 15 minute and 1,000 for 5 hours. If there is no connection here, the Mondial internet cafe on Commonwealth Avenue may have connection. It is faster, but also more expensive. There are various other internet cafés located around Kumba.
Post Office
This is located on Buea Road . Mail delivery to and from Cameroon is particularly slow, but does eventually arrive.
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8. Accommodation
GCI can help you to arrange accommodation. We have a house for interns where you can rent a room for XAF 150,000 per month (circa $US300.00 ). There are four rooms in the house. Each room has a double bed, a desk, a wardrobe and a small lockable cupboard. There is a shared bathroom and one bedroom has an en suite. The kitchen is equipped with a gas stove. There is a large dining room with a big table and chairs, and a TV with cable. Utility bills and gas for the stove are not included in the price.
Global Conscience also has arrangement with a number of hotels for single rooms equipped with a TV, Bed, shower and a fan for US$ 400.00. Shamrock, one of the hotels is situated a walking distance from the office and offers good security.
Payment for accommodation is made into Global Conscience's bank account prior to your arrival. You can wire payment directly to the GCI account with Union Bank of Cameroon (Contact GCI for bank account details and transfers) or by Western Union or Moneygram. An additional
Alternatively, there are several hotels in Kumba which range from the very basic to the more luxurious.
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9. Dress
Office wear:
- Clothing should be conservative and nice. Button-down shirts, trousers, blouses, sport coats, and skirts are suitable.
- Shoes need not be patent-leather and polished; loafers or similar styles are acceptable. Avoid sneakers and sandals, and in most cases closed-toed shoes for women are required.
- Hosiery must be worn with all shoes
- Shoes must be polished
- Shirts must be tucked in at all times
- Belts must be worn if there are belt loops
- Skirts as well as nice blouses with pressed trousers, preferably clothing should be tailored and well-fitting.
- Keep skirts knee-length or longer.
- Avoid too much flashy color, such as an all-neon suit. However, a splash of color in a tie or scarf is appropriate.
- Accessories such as jewelry must be simple and traditional. Piercings anywhere besides earrings for women (one in each ear) must be removed. Tattoos must not be visible.
- Hair should be clean-cut and carefully styled. No messy hairdos. If facial hair is worn, it should be groomed often and already exist during the work-week
Field wears:
- Pair of jeans or khaki with nicer shirts like polo shirts or casual button-downs. A T-shirt is sometimes acceptable, if it is in good condition. Avoid t-shirts with slogans or ads for things such as beer companies.
- Avoid sweats, cut-offs, tank tops, and flip-flops. Sneakers are okay, as long as they are new-looking and clean.
- Dress for other times is whatever you want, but remember that Cameroonians tend to dress conservatively.
- Sturdy and comfortable sandals are perfect footwear. You can buy all sorts of shoes in the Kumba market.
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10. Photography
When taking photographs of people, you should first ask their permission. Most people will be happy to let you ‘snap' them, but they may expect you to give them a copy of the photo. The easiest way to deal with this, if you have a digital camera, is to ask for their email address so you can send it to them.
Do not photograph or film anything or anyone outside or immediately around government buildings or embassies— if you do, your camera may be seized. Nor should you film or photograph any military, police or gendarme vehicles or personnel without prior explicit permission.
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11. Security
In the unlikely event of an emergency (i.e. civil disturbance), avoid the disturbance. The best place to be during such an event is at home. If you cannot make it home, find refuge in a safe place, such as a business, hotel, religious centre, or local compound. Call a GCI person as soon as you can, to let them know where you are. Keep your cell phone battery charged with enough credit to make local and international calls.
Make sure you take precautions with your possessions – just as you would anywhere. Be careful in particular of your cell phones and cash. As common sense would dictate, refrain from carrying large sums of money and wearing valuable jewellery. Keep your belongings close to you. If you have a backpack or purse in the market, keep a hand over it.. Do not make it too obvious where your money is kept (bulging wallets in shallow pockets are NOT a good idea). Keep an eye on bags that you put on the ground; it is good to keep a strap hocked around a chair leg.
You should have photocopies of all your valuable documents, such as health cards and passports. You should also leave photocopied sets of these documents with a trusted friend or family member at home. Carry your health card and a stamped photocopy of your passport (GCI will help you get this) with you at all times as you can be stopped by police and gendarmes and asked to produce them.
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12. Being a stranger in Kumba
Kumba is a large town, but people will quickly recognise a stranger. Some people will just want to greet you or shake your hand. Many people will be very interested in knowing where you come from and what you are doing here. When a lot of people want to talk to you it can try you patience, especially if you are in a hurry, but try to understand that you are a novelty in this town and people are just being friendly. It is best to respond to greetings with a wave or “Good morning” and take the time to ask how people are. If you do not wish to give out your phone number to someone it is best to say no firmly, but remain polite. Remember, the way you behave reflects on all visitors to Kumba, so make sure you give the impression that visitors are polite and friendly. This will also be rewarding for you as Cameroonians in general are warm hearted and quick to offer you help and advice.
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13. Lunch and Snacks for the workday
A lot of food is sold on the street. The fruit and groundnuts (peanuts) are excellent. Grilled plantains and plumbs are a delicious, cheap and filling snack. A man selling groundnuts and warm bread visits the office in the afternoon. He's very popular with GCI staff and interns.
Near the office good lunch places are:
- Schwarze Burger – off Krammer Avenue , turn right on leaving the office and look out for the sign on the left. The best red sauce (tomato and vegetables) in town. Good with rice, chips and plantains. When they have chicken and cabbage this is good too.
- Bakassi – Buea Road , turn left at the bottom of Krammer Avenue . Salad and omelette (ask for eggs) are the only options, but both are good. Next door and outside traditional food is sold – rice, beans, red sauce, ndole, plantains, etc.
- Village Square – Corner of Krammer Avenue and Buea Road . Only serves good Kati Kati and foo foo corn.
- Shalom Bakery - Commonwealth Avenue . Excellent bread and doughnuts. A large selection of yoghurt is available in the fridge. Other basics can be bought here too.
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14. Shopping
The main market is great for buying food. There are lots of fresh vegetables, and dried fish, rice, beans, and garri. There are also stalls that sell toiletries, CDs and DVDs, fabric and clothing. Most food has a fixed price, but you can haggle over the price of other items. Most sellers will try to charge more to foreigners. Kumba market does not sell local crafts. These can be found in Yaoundé and Bamenda. The western-style supermarket, Ngassa, sells some luxuries like Snickers bars, milk and bottles of wine. Basic foods can also be bought at kiosks on Buea Road near the intern house.
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15. Transportation
Travel in town
A normal journey in town in a shared taxi or motorbike (okada) costs 150-200 francs per person, or 300 if two passengers share a bike. For longer journeys within town (eg. to Fiango), when it is raining, and at night expect to pay up to 400 francs. To flag down an okada signal by holding your hand out, plam down and beckoning with two fingers. It is rude to beckon with your palm facing upwards. Tell the driver where you want to go and agree a price before you get on. For a taxi, signal in the same way and shout your destination to the driver when the car slows down. If there is room in the taxi and it is going your way the driver will stop and sometimes beep his horn. It is quite normal for two people to share the front passenger seat and sometimes four people fit in the back seat. The driver may make a detour away from your destination in order to drop off other passengers who are already in the car. You will eventually get to your destination, but if you are concerned, check with the driver that he knows where you are going.
Travel away from Kumba
You may wish to visit some other parts of Cameroon during weekends or breaks. A bus to Douala costs 3,000-4,000 francs and takes around 4 hours. To Yaoundé the price is 5,000 – 6,000 XAF and the journey is about 8 hours. Buea (near to Mount Cameroon ) is 3 hours from Kumba and a bus ticket costs 3,000 francs. The beach resort of Limbé is a further half hour from Buea and the price is the same. The buses tend to be crowded but you get used to it. Buses do not leave until they are full. If you want a good seat, arrive at the time the bus is supposed to leave, but expect to wait on average two hours before departing . Large bags can be tied to the roof of the vehicle, but you allow your bags to be stored here at your own risk.
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16. Weather
Cameroon has two main seasons — rainy and dry. During the rainy season (June to October) it can rain very heavily, sometimes for several hours. You need to seek shelter during these times. The roads can become very muddy and some flood. It will be difficult to find a taxi in the rain.
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17. Water
The tap water in Kumba is relatively clean and local people drink it. Some international interns have become used to drinking it (ease yourself in by using it to brush your teeth), but it is best to start out with bottled water (Tangui). A 1.5L bottle normally costs 400-500CFA, but can cost more in restaurants.
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18. Electricity
Power cuts are fairly frequent, especially during heavy rain, but do not tend to last longer than a few hours. Make sure you bring a torch and charge batteries while the power is on. Both British-style three-prong and, more commonly, European-style two-prong sockets are used. Power cuts in the office mean unsaved work on desktop PCs can be lost, so save regularly. It also means the internet will stop working and this can stay off even when the power comes back, or just cut out of its own accord. This is a frustration you will have to get used to!
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19. Health
You might want to have a thermometer with you. Your normal body temperature is 37° Celsius and 98.5° Fahrenheit. A high fever is 39° or 102° F. If you have a fever you should try to lower it (use a fan, take a cool shower or an aspirin or 300mg paracetamol) and rehydrate yourself – drink lots of water. Make a rehydration solution if necessary: 1 litre of water (clean or boiled), 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt. Add some lime or lemon juice if desired.
Anopheles mosquitoes, which carry Malaria , are present all over Cameroon and throughout the year. You will probably be taking a prophylaxis, but you need to make efforts to prevent mosquito bites (Anopheles mosquitoes bite from dusk until dawn). You need to sleep with a mosquito net and keep your ankles either covered with socks or trousers, or mosquito repellent.
If you display any symptoms of malaria (i.e. fever, vomiting, headache, fatigue, aching joints, diarrhoea, etc, you should go to the clinic for a malaria test. If you get a sudden fever without symptoms of another obvious illness – get a blood test immediately and if you have malaria, start treatment. If you cannot get to a medical facility, take the treatment dose of the prophylactic you are taking. New and very effective Artemesia-based Combination Therapies are becoming available for treating malaria.
Diarrhoea is defined as three or more loose (watery) bowel movements a day for three days. If you experience this after three days you should see a doctor. See a doctor sooner if you have serious symptoms (fever, cramps, blood) accompanying the diarrhoea. Diarrhoea from mild food bacteria usually “passes through” you very quickly. Let it do so. Only use Immodium if using a washroom is a problem over the short term (for example, when travelling). A good meal when you have diarrhoea is ‘rice soup'. To make rice soup, boil plain rice in a lot of water and add a bit of sugar and salt.
Cameroon 's tropical climate can be very warm and humid. You risk getting dehydrated. Dehydration results from any condition that leads to excessive loss of body fluids, such as heat, fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, and strenuous physical activity. Signs of dehydration are nausea, dizziness, headache, dry eyes and mouth, weakness and muscle cramps, passing small quantities of dark urine, raised temperature. If you are dehydrated, drink lots of fluids. Make the re-hydration solution described in the ‘fever' paragraph. Juice, weak tea with sugar and no milk, and non-cola drinks are also good. Remember to eat. It is best to eat plain, starchy food such as rice, potatoes.
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20. Money
The currency of Cameroon is francs CFA (XAF).
There is one ATM in Kumba and it takes only Visa cards. Credit and debit cards are generally not accepted. Cash (international currency eg US$, British pounds and Euros) and travellers' cheques can be exchanged for francs CFA. The best rates are to be found on the black market. You will get the best rates for cash, particularly notes of high denomination. Currently 1 US $ can be exchanged for 467 francs CFA in Kumba and 480 francs CFA in Douala or Yaoundé. GCI staff will help you with this. Denominations of Euro and US$50.00 and $100.00 are advisable.
Western Union money transfers and Moneygram can be made and received at several banks.
It is difficult to pay with large denomination notes in most places, so hang on to your change! Places to go when you need to break 10,000 and 5,000 franc notes are Ngassa supermarket, Total petrol stations or buy phone credit from street-side stalls. Banks will sometimes exchange 10,000 franc notes for smaller denominations if you ask nicely.
If you live very simply - eat street food, don't buy much phone credit, don't go out to bars and restaurants, walk to work - you can probably survive on 100 dollars a month, plus rent. To live comfortably, you need to budget 250 – 350 dollars per month and more if you want to travel, for example to the beach at Limbé. Here is a short list of prices in francs.
Motorbike or taxi to work 200
Bottle of mineral water 400
Salad 600
Omelette 300
Loaf of bread 200
Restaurant meal of chicken /beef with chips/rice 1,500-2,500
Small bottle of coke, etc 300-500
Bottle of beer 500
Chocolate bar 125
300g rice 200
Bunch of bananas 200
Piece of fruit/ veg 50-100
Sachet of washing powder 75
Sachet of powdered milk 175
Bus to Yaoundé/ Douala 5,000-7,000
Hotel room in a big city 10,000/night
These prices are for Kumba. If you travel to the bigger cities they are likely to be
higher.
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21. Activities
Bars and Restaurants
These are some of our favourites:
- Embouteillage – On Buea Road , near the intern house. The staff Matty and Franco are used to serving the GCI interns. The music is usually good, but loud. Nice to sit outside when it's dry. You will often see someone you know from the local area. Basic drink selection – beer and soft drinks. Order food outside – grilled fish and plantains from the stall outside, rice and beans from the window to the right of the bar, and eggs, rice, and beans from the small shop down the alley to the left of the bar.
- Shacking Home – Krammer Junction, opposite Azi Motel. Lovely to sit outside in nice weather. Veranda when it's raining. Events are sometimes held in the inside area and there is dancing at night. Wide drink selection.
- Azi Motel – Buea Road on Azi Motel Street . The front bar has large comfy seats and a TV. The dining room at the back has set tables as well as couches and a TV. Food and drinks can be ordered in both. The menu is one of the best in Kumba and there is a selection of bottled wine. It's often quiet, particularly in the dining room, so a good place to hide out when you need some peace. You can easily spend an afternoon watching TV here.
- Vienello Hotel – Krammer Avenue . Sit on the balcony for the best atmosphere. The bar at the back has a dance floor, but it tends to be empty. Good menu and decent drink selection.
- Bushfallah Creek – Buea Road . Lively in the evenings, good music. Large seating area. Basic drink selection.
- Classy Burger – Farm Road Street, Fiango. Chef trained in USA . Will make good burgers if you order in advance. Salad, chips and breaded fried chicken can be ordered if you show up. Small drink selection.
- Dubai Centre – Confidence Street , Fiango. Like Embouteillage, but bigger an more lively.
NOTE: If you invite somebody to go out with you, the custom is that you pay for them.
Kumba Lake
A short drive out of town brings you to a very beautiful lake. For 400 francs an okada will drop you at the top of a path, where it is a pleasant walk to the lake. Good for sunbathing and relaxing in good weather. Watch out for the insects.
The Library
On the way to the lake is the municipal library. There is a good selection of novels and some reference books. The staff are very friendly and helpful. You can't check books out, but there is a pleasant reading area upstairs.
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22. Language
The Northwest and Southwest provinces are Anglophone, while the rest of Cameroon is Francophone. English is the most commonly used everyday language in Kumba. Some people will speak better French than English, but most people speak a reasonable amount of both and will be happy to help translate for you. Government officials and gendarmes are mostly Francophone, but many can also speak English. It is best to greet officials with ‘Bonjour'. Pidgin English is commonly spoken and people will usually be delighted to teach you a few words.
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23. Religion
The majority of Cameroonians are Christians and there are many different churches in Kumba. There is also a mosque in Fiango. Some Cameroonians practice indigenous beliefs.
Welcome to Cameroon and to Global Conscience. We are a hospitable family and warm to receive you.
