Development Projects
July 22nd, 2006 by editor
FOC provides funding for a variety of small, grass-roots projects in Cameroon, allowing members to continue to make a positive contribution to Cameroonian development. 
Methods of Contributions
FOC has provided assistance to various organizations through a variety of mechanisms. Often, FOC collaborates with Peace Corps Volunteers currently working in Cameroon to identify and support viable grassroots projects. Sometimes FOC provides funding directly to the organizations with the Volunteer as the local contact person. The Peace Corps Partnership program has proven to be a useful way to funnel assistance to projects in Cameroon, particularly when the total amount requested is large. By combining resources with those of other returned Volunteer groups and other community groups in the U.S., FOC can make a contribution that might otherwise be fiscally impossible. In the past, FOC has collaborated with RPCV groups in Madison, Wisconsin and Washington, DC, as well as in Western Montana. Discussions are under-way for possible future collaborations with RPCVs for Environment and Development.
FOC has also provided grants to non-profit/non-governmental organizations and ear-marked FOC funds for activities in Cameroon for example, the Trickle Up organization which provides small start-up grants to businesses). FOC is making an effort to diversify the locations in Cameroon where projects are funded (especially in the Far North and the East), and to ensure that gender issues are considered.
Projects funded by Friends of Cameroon:
Santchou and Tinto Book Drives
Working through Peace Corps and Volunteers on-site, books were provided to Santchou Government Bilingual High School and Tinto Government Secondary School. FOC members provided text books for grades seven through twelve, encyclopedias, novels, dictionaries and National Geographic issues from the 80s and 90s. Read a thank you note from one of the Volunteers involved in the Tinto project.
Kumba Foot-Bridge “Harry’s Bridge” (Peace Corps Partnership Project)
Contributions
Friends of Cameroon contributed $1,000 toward the construction of a foot-bridge crossing the Kumba River. Click here for pictures. This river flows through Kumba and divides the city into two sections known as Fiango and Buea Road. The project was initiated and studied by The Fomenky Street Men’s Corner Group. Peace Corps Volunteer Terry Luschen (Math and Data Processing teacher) assisted the group in writing and typing the funding proposal.
Background
According to the Men’s Corner Group study of the project, crossing the river is almost impossible during the rainy season (June through September), when it reaches a width of ten meters at the proposed foot-bridge site. During the dry season (December through April), when the river is low, some people cross it on stones, which is very unsafe. The proposed bridge site has high banks and is about 30 meters upstream from the stone-crossing spot.
The Completed Bridge
The foot-bridge is designed to last at least ten years with minimal much maintenance. The Fomenky Street Men’s Corner group will be around for a very long time because many of its members are fully settled in the community. They plan to raise funds for the maintenance of the foot-bridge. The community on both sides of the proposed foot-bridge, as well as the Fomenky Women’s Group all in support of this project. In addition, technical support on the project has been provided by the Kumba Community Development Department.
Kumba
Kumba is the fifth-largest city in Cameroon with a population of about 100,000. Those who do not have cars or taxi money must move by foot around Kumba. Children going to school, parents going to markets and families going to farm or church cross the Kumba river daily. Therefore, almost all the people living or passing through Kumba will benefit from this project. 
How Did the Bridge Come to be Known as “Harry’s Bridge?”
The Kentuckiana Peace Corps Association contributed $1,000 to the Kumba Footbridge Construction and asked if the community would consider naming the bridge “Harry’s Bridge” after one of their members, Harry Broadhurst, who passed away in March 1997 at the age of 75. Harry and Marie Broadhurst served as Peace Corps Volunteers in Barbados (1985-87). Harry was very dedicated to helping others, and continued his volunteer work in Kentucky. He was also very dedicated to the Kentuckiana Peace Corps Association, and on his death, his family requested that contributions be made in his honor to be used for a Peace Crops Partnership project.
In conjunction with Harry’s wife, Marie, the Kentuckiana Peace Corps Association chose the Kumba Footbridge Construction because they felt it most closely reflected Harry’s interests: building with wood and helping others.
Upon hearing Harry’s story and the Kentuckiana RPCV group’s request, the community of Kumba enthusiastically agreed to name their new footbridge “Harry’s Bridge.”
Kalfou English Club
Friends of Cameroon provided $500 for the English Club of the government secondary school of Kalfou, in Doukoula to build a pit latrine. The school has 400 students, 15 faculty members and no toilet facilities. This project is expected to improve the personal hygiene and sanitation of the students and faculty members. According to our project agreement, the English Club will be responsible for the repair and upkeep of the pit latrine. PCV Marietta Bonaventure (TEFL) is the contact persons and PCV Andrew Edward McGlone (Community Development) will monitor the project and provide technical assistance to the English Club.
WEH Student’s Association
Funding in the amount of $400 for library furniture and other supplies through the WEH Students’ Association (WESA) in Wum, Menchum Division, N.W. Province. The students already have a building for the library and books which were donated by WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO, ILO, FAO and UNIC. In a village where the nearest library is approximately 3 1/2 hours drive during the dry season, this library is expected to benefit residents of Weh and surrounding villages. WESA will provide a library attendant and continue its efforts to expand their book collection. PCV Annette Gullickson (Agro-Forestry) will provide WESA with technical advice and guidance for this project.
Tombel Self Help Organization, SW Province
Grant to purchase gas-powered grinder to produce cassava flour.
Trickle-Up
Non profit organization providing small start-up grants to Cameroonian entrepreneurs.
AIDS Education
Underwriting costs of printing 1,400 student workbooks which educate students about HIV/AIDS through Teaching English as a Foreign Language (Peace Corps Office of Private Sector Relations).
Maga Health Clinic, Far North Province
Grant for a cash safe and reinforced door to safe-guard clinic pharmaceutical.
Bali Government High School, NW Province (Peace Corps Partnership Project)
Funding towards equipping a PTA-sponsored science lab. A video, describing the project and made by the recipients, is available to FOC members.
Binshua Women’s cooperative, NW Province
Funding for teaching supplies for literacy-training. Click here for pictures.