maandag 6 mei 2013

Kick off for the veteran soccer team


It may not have escaped your attention, the people of Kameroen loves soccer. Bamenda residents are no different. There are a number of competitions and the veterans of Bamenda also play competitively.

Kick off
The teams are made up of players from different villages and are multi talented and share as common bond- the love of the game. Only goes to prove a point, that sport unites! The Bamenda veteran team also plays benefit games so as to support local initiatives. When we were here last, they had already started to support the Wakka centre.

Gonnie had the honour of opening the game with the kick off and the mayor of Dordrecht was present at the final. This year too, they will continue to support the Wakka centre. Once again Gonnie was asked to kick off the game.

Before they started, the team first wanted to visit the centre and deliver their gifts of soap and rice. How wonderful is that?!

After returning to the field and taking part in a photo shoot it was tine for Gonnie to proceed to the centre mark. She was so fast and kicked the ball so hard we weren't able to get a good shot. We will be checking cameras to see if we can spot the ball somewhere!!!!

After that we quickly changed our clothes and proceded to the palace of the Fon. In August last year the Fon visited Dordrecht. At every visit to Bamenda the Fon invites us to a meal at the palace. As per usual the hosts were most congenial and it was good to reacquaint ourselves with the Fon's wife.

The team
T.E.A.M.= Together Everyone Achieves More

Official opening

Our day started with breakfast at 7am, after which we dressed in our Sunday best - in this instance in our African clothes, to attend the official opening and associated celebrations.

Close to Guzang we stopped and paid a visit to an orphanage there. We had been there on a previous visit  and it was good to see the familiar faces of the couple who run this orphanage. These children are at a disadvantage due to their backgrounds. A few volunteers and this dedicated couple give these children, aged from 3 to 18 years of age, a chance to grow, develop and eventually attain a dignified place within the community. They receive an abundance of loving care, go to school and help in the garden and with the general running of the orphanage. In doing so they acquire skills that will help them later to earn their keep.

Upon arrival we were greeted most cordially by the carers and their charges. The children had even practiced and performed a special welcome song for us. We were quite moved. It was also a pleasure to see them all looking so well and happy.

After this visit we continued on to Guzang. A greeting was held at the palace of the Fon (ruler) of Guzang. After a short speech we finally proceded to the opening. of the Health Centre.


A large number of people had already gathered and waited patiently for the festivities to start. They were dressed in their most colourful clothes. This event called for respect and great joyfulness. The centre was seen as a realisation of something VERY special. After all, health is an important issue for all.

The speeches were accompanied by music and dance. Beautiful to watch. As expected we danced alongside our hosts. During the festivities the SSBK team were presented with a surprise gift. They were draped in impressively beautiful cloaks. The rest of the team were also spoilt with a bag of ' goodies' consisting of a tumbler made from calebas and also a lovely necklace for the ladies. We were humbled and gratefully surprised.

After this it was time to cut the ribbon and be taken on a tour of the centre.

To finalise the day we all enjoyed a festive, delicious meal.

What a day, what an experience!




zondag 5 mei 2013

Wakka Centre


Today the group visited the Wakka Centre. The Wakka Centre is a project from the Dordrecht-Bamenda Foundation, with Gonnie Walrecht as initiator. Due to Gonnie's drive we became involved with our water and other projects in Cameroun.
Tending to the chickens

The Wakka Centre is a 24 care centre for children between 4 and 18 years old with handicaps. It isn't totally completed as yet, but is already functional.

There is great excitement when any visitors arrive. With our arrival the children too know to expect  gifts, like puzzles for instance.

At the centre the children are guided and taught some basic survival skills. They are involved with caring for chickens, growing vegetables and such like. It is the intention of those running the centre that these children can, even in a small way, contribute to their own survival and also be able to take place in the community in a participational role.

With pride they showed us how they cleaned the water in the chicken run by removing the droppings. Gonnie was honoured with being allowed to hold a chicken.

Today was gardening day. Side by side we planted a variety of plants, like the peppermint plant. We also helped tie up the yam plants.

It is good to see that these children are being given the opportunity to develop these skills for their future well being.

Time to plant out the seedlings

Our second school visit



After the relaxed yet impressive visit to Guzang is it time to address one of my projects on the 'to-do' list. This time we concentrate on the second groep of orphan and in care children.

But first off, we had an important issue to address. Yesterday, while visiting the Health Centre, someone in the group asked, " where is the fridge"? and after asking round we were told there wasn't one.

If the staff needed vaccins, someone would hop on the scooter and go to the hospital and get them. So after dinner and a discussion ont eh matter we decided to purchase a fridge and present it to the Health Centre at the opening on Saturday. Hence, the need to first visit the shops and choose a suitable fridge. After arranging transport to have the fridge delivered was this task completed, so we then continued with our daily planning.


After a lovely lunch 5 of us continued on to the school. Uopn arrival the carers and pupils were al waiting to welcome us. It continues to enthrall me how cheerful and excited the children are each time we visit. The recognition on their faces as we get closer, the children who know me by name. It is quite touching.

As the rains approached we quickly started with the task of taking photos. Individual as well as group photos. Before you could say " Jack Robinson' the task was completed.

After a chat with the principal we all shared a nice cup of coffee.


vrijdag 3 mei 2013

Our visit to the Health Centre

Unpacking the laboratory equipment



It is the 1st of May and Labour Day in Cameroun and a public holiday. We are off to the Health Centre in Guzang where the last details are being laid in preparation for the opening this coming Saturday- 4th May 2013. This is a project from our fellow travelers from Hulshorst and Epe. The SSBK Foundation.

Over the past few years they have been instrumental in refurbishing the old centre. An additional space  has been built which functions as a meetin

g place for the population, generally mothers, who gather here for parental guidance and other educational health issues. Just as in the Netherlands, parents are invited and advised to have their children medically checked at regular interval, to be vaccinated and screened. This invitation/ request if often issued through the church and parents generally give heed to this call.

On my last trip to Kameroen I personally was witness to such a gathering- and what a huge number of parents with their children presented themselves. Unbelievable. It left a huge impression on me.

On our way to the waterfall
Whilst our fellow travelers, together with the personal from the centre in Guzang made the last preparations, I went to the laboratory to gift the equipment I was given by my former employer. After I explained how some of the equipment was to be used- I received a warm thank you and know for a fact that these articles were gratefully received.


To conclude our visit and to allow the staff to attend a meeting our guide took us first by car and then led us down a narrow path to the local waterfalls. After quite some scrambling over this untamed terrein, we arrived at this spectacular spot. Awesome!

When we returned to the Health Centre the meeting was adjourned . The women had, as per usual, provided food for a feast- which we thoroughly enjoyed. All in all another succesful day.

I will post a report on the festivities after the opening on Saturday.