Archive for the 'Events' Category
By Whitney Isenhower (RPCV Cameroon ’06-’08)
(pictures by Amber Byrne of Live It Out Photography, LLC)
Nearly 100 Washington, D.C.-area residents gathered in the Eighteenth Street Lounge’s warmly lit Gold Room on the evening of April 29 for a fundraiser supporting Education Fights AIDS (EFA) International, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that empowers African youth infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS in Cameroon and Rwanda.
Alim Ousmanou, EFA International’s Cameroon country representative, spoke at the fundraiser—one stop on a visit marking his first time in the U.S. Invited to participate in the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program from April 3-23, Ousmanou remained in the country for two weeks after the program to visit supporters of EFA International’s work carried out in Cameroon.
Alim Ousmanou
“It was wonderful to see how young Americans are helping the community of youth living with HIV and AIDS in Cameroon,” Ousmanou said of the Washington event.
EFA International’s efforts focus on creating associations for individuals infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS in Cameroon and supporting a center for orphans and vulnerable children in Rwanda. The organization began when Ousmanou and Andrew Koleros, then a Peace Corps Volunteer in Maroua, Cameroon, identified dozens of HIV-positive youth in the city who lacked the psychosocial, educational and financial support to live positively with the virus.
Along with Koleros, returned Peace Corps Volunteers Rachel Hoy, Michael Nilon, Erin Nilon and Nicole Sheldon-Desjardins officially incorporated the organization in 2006 to continue this work. Koleros, who currently sits on EFA International’s Board of Directors, said Ousmanou’s visit deepened members’ commitment to the organization, which advocates the Peace Corps’ Third Goal.
“It’s really motivated the board and volunteers,” Koleros said of Ousmanou’s presence at EFA International events in the U.S. “It reminded us of why we all got involved in this organization in the first place.”
For EFA International’s benefactors, Ousmanou’s presence at the fundraiser made the organization’s mission more resonant, clarifying what their involvement means for the youth the nonprofit enables to live positively.
“It was nice to hear somebody from the area where it’s being helped speak,” said Michael Causey, a Washington-based lawyer who attended the fundraiser. “It’s easy for Americans to say, ‘Look at the great work I’m doing.’”
(AJEPS photo taken by Caitlyn Bradburn (PCV Cameroon ’08-present)
EFA International currently supports eight independent groups in the Extreme North province of Cameroon. Income-generating activities to advance members in their communities and peer education programs to raise awareness about HIV transmission and prevention have empowered more than 120 young men and women.
Doumtigai Guibai, member of an EFA International-sponsored association in Mokolo, Cameroon, said her participation in peer education training motivated her to speak openly about HIV.
“People come up to me to congratulate me for my courage to speak about HIV in the community,” Guibai said in EFA International’s 2009 Annual Report. “At school, students call me the ‘mama’ for teaching them about HIV.”
During his visit, Ousmanou also attended fundraising events in Massachusetts and spoke at a Harvard Divinity School panel discussion on development and HIV in Africa. He said he was extremely affected by returned volunteers’ commitment to both EFA International and Cameroon.
“I saw so many people during my time in the U.S.,” Ousmanou said. “Seeing former Cameroon Peace Corps Volunteers was the most significant to me.”
To find out more about EFA’s work, go to http://efainternational.org/
by Tom Perkins
Ann Arbor.com
Freshmen biology students at Ypsilanti High School recently started a new lesson, and when they stepped through the door of room 114, they didn’t know what was in store. But one thing was certain – it was “Sowder time.”
For the hour of the day that’s known as such, students receive an education delivered by Hans Sowderевтини мебели, the 2010 recipient of the Michigan Science Teachers Association “Science Teacher of the Year” award.
“I was surprised that I won, but it really charged me for that two-day week,” said Sowder, who learned about the honor via e-mail on Nov. 23.
Among other reasons, the 10-year Ypsilanti High veteran was chosen for the award for exhibiting a passion for teaching, developing innovative teaching strategies and being an excellent role model for students.
When three of his ninth-grade biology students were asked what they liked best about Sowder’s class, all three replied in unison, “Labs!”
“We’re not in here just sitting around, we’re actually getting up and doing something,” Zachary Meyer said.
On a recent day, Sowder had his students learning about the respiratory system and carbon dioxide production in the body. Using a straw, they exhaled into a pink solution of sodium hydroxide and phenolphthalein. When the kids blew into the liquid, the carbon dioxide coming out of their bodies, which is a base, turned the acidic solution clear more quickly, depending on how much of the gas was exhaled.
By taking one another’s pulses and breaking out stethoscopes to track heart rates, his students could measure how much of the gas their bodies produced while in a normal state.
But that’s just one day. The next day, the students would run several laps around the indoor track in the gymnasium and take the same measurements. On the third day, Sowder dimmed the lights, sparked some incense, turned on relaxing music and had students take the same measurements.
By the end, the students had a data table exhibiting how much carbon dioxide their bodies produced under various conditions, demonstrating a connection between its production and heart rate and pulse. “When they’re able to see those connections, it’s powerful,” Sowder said. “They start to understand what’s going on inside their body.”
Influential to Sowder’s educational approach are his experiences in classrooms across the globe – from three years teaching in Cameroon with the Peace Corps to a year at an Alaskan school in a remote “fly-in” village with his wife, to Kettering High School in Detroit.
Sowder said his years at Kettering were particularly educational because he learned to wear many hats – that of a teacher, father figure and friend. “I loved developing much richer relationships there,” he said. “That was something that was exciting at the time.”
Sowder further credits his colleagues, especially at YHS, for inspiring him and setting an example on how to excel in education.
“I have learned so much from my other colleagues, and I wouldn’t be the teacher I am had I worked in a vacuum,” he said. “There have been a lot of teachers in my life trying new things and not being afraid to do so, and I’ve taken pieces from what I’ve seen of them.”
Sowder said it’s his obligation to provide the students with an education. “I’m going to expect excellence from them every single minute of the hour, but I’m going to give it to them as well,” he said.
Sowder said he considers himself “on stage’ while teaching, and his passion for science is no small part of what keeps students engaged. “Science is so excellent,” he said. “It’s the study of all that’s been created around us, and it’s a wonderful to understand intricacies and complexities of its laws.”
Sowder was nominated for the award by Richard Weigel, the district’s assistant superintendent for educational quality. He will receive an award at a ceremony in March in Lansing.
“Mr. Sowder represents the caliber of highly qualified educators that we have in our district,” Superintendent Dedrick Martin said. “We are very proud of his accomplishments and anticipate that more great things are on the horizon for him.”
Tom Perkins is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Five Education PCVs just finished their service in Cameroon.
Left to Right:
Ann-Marie Mark
RPCV Bertoua (East Region)
Education 2007-2009
Tara Smith
RPCV Baré (Littoral Region)
TEFL Education 2007-2009
(Tara received FOC funding for a latrine project in her village.)
Anne Raymond
RPCV Ewoh (Northwest Region)
Math Science Education 2007-2009
Barry Shapira
RPCV Dimarko (East Region)
IT Education 2007-2009
Reid Benson
RPCV Bdiang (East Region)
TEFL Education 2007-2009
A few more newly inducted Cameroon RPCV
(From Left to Right)
Joe and Debbie Schuld
RPCV Tiko (SW)
IT and TEFL Education 2007-2009
Alyssa Poucher
RPCV Gashiga (North Region)
TEFL Education 2007-2009
Dr. Matthew McGrath
RPCV Dschang (West Region)
Math Science Education 2007-2009
Rachel Witter
RPCV Ebolowa (South Region)
TEFL Education 2007-2009
Bradford Melius
RPCV Fontem (SW Region)
Math Science Education 2007-2009
New Education and Small Enterprise Development trainees arrived in Cameroon on June 5 and have already begun training in country. They will officially swear in on August 19th upon completion of training.
From left: U.S. Ambassador janet Garvey, Bamendjou Chief, and Peace Corps Director James Ham view the memorial dedicated on March 24, 2009 for John Granville.
online casinoAmbassador Garvey and PC/Cameroon Director Ham with PCVas and local leaders at the memorial.
Janet E. Garvey aux funérailles d’un Américain à Bamendjou
L’ambassadeur des Etats-Unis au Cameroun était dans lé région de l’Ouest pour commémorer la mémoire d’un de ses compatriotes élevé au grade de notable.
Hier, mardi 24 mars 2009, se célébrait le 24e anniversaire du Rassemblement démocratique du peuple camerounais (Rdpc). Dédaignant cette cérémonie, même si elle n’a pas fait l’objet d’une invitation officielle, l’ambassadeur des Etats-Unis au Cameroun Janet E. Garvey a préféré le village Bamendjou dans la région de l’Ouest à Yaoundé. La diplomate américaine a accordé la priorité au peuple Bamendjou. Peut-être à cause de l’honneur que cette communauté située à une vingtaine de kilomètres de Bafoussam accordait à un Américain. Janet E. Garvey venait assister aux funérailles organisées par le chef supérieur des Bamendjou SM Jean Rameau Sokoudjou en l’honneur de l’Américain John Granville, assassiné en décembre dernier alors qu’il se trouvait au Darfour (Soudan). C’est que John Granville, appelé Deffo Sokoudjou, avait été élevé au rang de notable en 2006 par Fo’o Sokoudjou Jean Philippe Rameau. “ Il fallait donc lui donner tous les honneurs qui lui étaient dus après sa mort et lui trouver un successeur parmi les notables ”, a expliqué le chef supérieur des Bamendjou.
La cérémonie d’hier a ainsi respecté tous les rites traditionnels exécutés lors des funérailles d’un notable en terre Bamendjou. Et Janet E. Garvet y a pris part avec beaucoup de joie, en compagnie d’une forte délégation de la Peace Corps (Corps de la paix américain), dont faisait partie le regretté Deffo Sokoudjou. Avec bien entendu des touches modernes comme la remise d’un cadeau par le directeur du Corps de la paix au Cameroun à Sa Majesté Sokoudjou.
Tôt le matin, il y a eu ce que l’on appelle la prosternation devant le chef supérieur, élément incontournable avant tout début de cérémonie présidée par le Fo’o. Et avant les différentes danses traditionnelles, l’on a eu droit aux allocutions de circonstance. L’ambassadeur des Etats-Unis au Cameroun, après avoir rappelé le rôle humanitaire joué par son compatriote dans cette communauté pendant des années, s’est dite satisfaite de constater que ses parents “ n’étaient pas les seuls à pleurer aux Etats-Unis ”. Le directeur national du Corps de la paix américain, James Ham, dans une allocution émouvante, a tout simplement espéré que l’œuvre laissée par le disparu ne périra pas.
Commémorer une grande œuvre
John Granville ou Deffo Sokoudjou, a en effet laissé une grande œuvre au sein de cette communauté villageoise. Arrivé dans le groupement Bamendjou en 1997, ce jeune volontaire avait été affecté au lycée local pour l’enseignement de la langue anglaise. Son caractère aimable lui valut une intégration sociale très rapide. Avec des Camerounais et certains de ses compatriotes, il s’investit dans l’encadrement des populations de Bameka, Batié, Bahouan, Bamendjou,… et anima plusieurs fronts de développement participatif. Il a œuvré pour l’extension et l’équipement de l’école primaire africaine bilingue, à la création d’une forêt communautaire à Bameka, à trouver des bourses scolaires et universitaires à des élèves, participer aux campagnes de vaccination, etc. L’on comprend mieux le choix de Janet E. Garvey d’aller honorer la mémoire d’un compatriote…
Par Alain NOAH AWANA A Bamendjou
http://www.lemessager.net/details_articles.php?code=40&code_art=26907&numero=1
Le 25-03-2009
J’ai l’honneur de venir aupres de votre haute bienveillance solliciter de l’aide pour la bibliotheque publique de Loum.
Je suis Camerounais, ne a Loum (Arrondissemant de Loum) Departement du Moungo, Province du Littoral.
Je suis un ancien employe de la CamCCULL ( Cameroon Cooperative Credit Union League Limited ). J’ai eu a exerce mes functions comme Inspecteur des Caisses Populaires de Fevrier 1986 a Septembre 1992 dans les provinces de l’Ouest , du Littoral, du Centre et du Sud ceci avec l’aide de certains volontaires du Corps de la Paix donc la liste serait tres longue pour citer les noms.
Avec mon esprit de cooperateur, j’ai toujour voulu faire quelque chose pour aider les gens et en m’inspirant de ma jeunesse, j’ai donc decider de creer une bibliotheque publique gratuite dans la ville de Loum.
Le Sous-Prefect ( Monsieur Tang Theodore) et le representant du maire de la ville ont eu a inaugure cette bibliotheque le 04 Octobre 2008.
Cette bibliotheque contient 700 livres en Anglais, 60 livres en Francais, 1 piano, une guitare, 46 CD de musique, 20 DVD, 1 radio
40 VHS cassettes, 1 VCR et 1 poste de television.
Loum etant une ville de la zone francophone, 60 livres en francais est vraiment insignifiant, c’est pourquoi je fais recours aupres de mes Amis du Cameroun pour leur aide materiel ou financiaire. Tous ce qui est necessaire pour l’education sera vraiment apprecie par la population de Loum.
Mon addresse est la suivante: 3603 11th NW Washington, DC 20010
Pour un contact direct avec la bibliotheque voici l’addresse:
BIBLIOTHEQUE PUBLIQUE MOSART NKWEMI BP 16 LOUM CAMEROUN.
Vous trouverez attachees a cette correspondence les photos d’inauguration, Je n’ai pas pu envoyer les photos video a cause du nombre limites des Megabites, neanmoins je peux vous les envoyer par voie postale si vous me communiquez votre addresse.
Merci de votre bonne cooperation:
Mosart Nkwemi
