Volunteer in Cameroon

With its location at the heart of Africa and also called Africa miniature, Cameroon has proven to have an assorted collection of all African diversities, on major climates and foliage of the continent. It has a beautiful maintain and clean desert, with a fresh green grassland. It also possesses an evergreen tropical rain forest, stretching to the ocean coastal waters in the Atlantic. This is to say every person has something to benefit from Cameroon in terms of leisure.

Volunteerism

Volunteering in a less developed country like Cameroon is a remarkable impact that is and will last in the minds of the people. Domains of volunteerism include food, medication, housing, and vocational training. This is because it will have a positive significance on women, children, and orphans in particular. It will be of great honor if these groups of persons benefit from projects such as Women Empowerment, Teaching projects for the unprivileged kids in the suburbs, Orphanage Constructions, Vocational Training Centers, and water projects for consumption in its various communities.

Learn as many languages as you can

Despite national languages for Cameroon (English and French), there exist other native vernaculars. Cameroon has about 360 ethnic groups with different dialects, such as the Fulfulde, Bamun, Fang, Beti, and Banso. This pauses a major challenge to foreigners, as they find difficulties in communication and interaction. Therefore put effort into learning at least the two major languages of the country to ease communication.

Communicate to the natives in their vernacular

However, communication has never been a problem, as the natives are always pleased and appreciative of outsiders who put in efforts in understanding their various vernaculars. They also help foreigners in understanding these languages, killing down the fear of mistake, making the whole process of fun and happiness.

Currency

Don’t be afraid to use the FCFA in the CEMAC regional bloc

Cameroon uses the FCFA Franc which is being used within its sub-regional bloc of six member states. This is a common currency that if printed in Cameroon political capital Yaoundé and used in Tchad, Gabon, CAR, Congo, and Equatorial Guinea without any issue. Therefore making Cameroon a destination for a volunteer.

The hottest day in Cameroon during the year stands in February, to which the cool season always last for two and a quarter month, from June 25 to September 1. Also, the coldest day of the year is 1 January. This is to say when coming to Cameroon, you need both lightweight dresses, pullovers, and raincoats to adapt to its temperatures.

Prevent yourself from mosquito bites

With the harsh climates of Cameroon, we highly recommend the use of a mosquito net when sleeping at night, in order not to trap malaria fever from mosquito bites. 

Put on pullovers to stay warm

Put on pullovers early in the morning, so you may avoid the contraction of cough and catarrh due to intense cold and wind.

Don’t be afraid to use the FCFA in the CEMAC regional bloc

Cameroon uses the FCFA Franc which is being used within its sub-regional bloc of six member states. This is a common currency that if printed in Cameroon political capital Yaoundé and used in Tchad, Gabon, CAR, Congo, and Equatorial Guinea without any issue. Therefore making Cameroon a destination for a volunteer.

Do have your passport with you always for identification purposes

Most often, security forces ask for foreign identification to foreigners so they may be in touch with who and why is doing what. To avoid embarrassment, always own this vital piece of document.

Play wise at all times

Cameroon may be a good country as it seems, but not in all circumstances. This is a result of jobless youths around cities and towns, who invest a lot of time trying to play human psychology, to siphon money from foreigner’s pockets.

Try the Cameroonian traditional meals

Eating the ethnics traditional meals such as “achu, ndole, corn fufu, koki” is honoring the people, as it brings respect to the land and the people itself. Though your human system will have to take some time to adapt from the diet change, will cause you no harm. 

Do not expect good meat from street food

Avoid eating meat on roadsides as meat vendors at times don’t tell the actual truth on the type of meat they do sell. This may result in the eating of dog, cat, or horse meat.

Don’t look flashy

Being flashy will attract your danger, as you may be involved in an act of rubbery. 

Avoid short dresses

If being a lady, short dresses may attract to you troubles such as rape and harassment.

Use organized public transport

As is the case with many African countries, public transport is widely used throughout Cameroon. This is due to the organized interurban transport agencies which can tour you all round the country.

Don’t be scared about using international driving licenses

If you want to hit the road, no worries as you will need just your passport and your international divers’ license.

There exist a variety of religions in Cameroon, which may not cause a problem for volunteers to worship. They include the Roman Catholic of about 38%, Protestants of about 26%, Muslims of about 28%, with animist and non-believers which comprises about 10%.

Don’t be afraid of using any accommodation of your choice for prices are moderate

Like other countries, Cameroon possesses a wide range of commercial residential buildings, apartments, and homes. Most of these properties’ rent prices vary from 180,000 to CFA 350,000 per month, for furnished accommodation. Also, price varies according to the type of accommodation, number of bedroom chambers, and their level of comfort.

Do not use booking sides

Cameroon has less booking sites as it is not widely used, as most property owners are private individuals with little or no knowledge about technology. Therefore this makes booking sites less of concern.

Use mainly mission hospitals

Best healthcare personnel in Cameroon are found in mission hospitals. This is because they are conscious of the value of life. These hospitals are well equipped with specialized doctors from all around the world, and equipment. 

Treatments are expensive

Medications and treatments are expensive. This is because health workers mutilate prices of meds and other health situations such as operations, to extorted money from patience.

Be conscious about your timings during weekends as a majority of shops are always closed

You must know how to manage your weekend activities on time. This is because a majority of businesses do not function, as many businessmen spend time with family for leisure, and meeting associations. The few who come to work usually close at midday, allowing you with no choice, then working according to their schedules. So programing your weekends with hiking with other volunteers like most Cameroonians do on weekends, maybe a great idea.