Laura Nash
We had adventures trying to retrieve our money transfers from the
banks. The roads were very rough and had seemingly chaotic drivers
everywhere. I had the pleasure of tasting some foods outside of my
comfort zone: pangolin, porcupine, and goat!
I visited a small scale and
a large-scale palm tree plantation and observed their different
practices. I visited a research facility which had 5 different
departments of study. The entomology sector had over 10,000 insects
native to Cameroon encased. All soil testing for Cameroon, and several
other parts of the continent, occurs at the IRAD facility.
At the rubber
tree plantation, Hevecam, we observed the entire process from seeding
to shipment all in one place. They were an Indian owned company whose
practices were very good for sustainability. They had 33 schools on
their land and housing for employees and much more. I also visited the
Cameroon Department of Agriculture, where we learned their objectives
and goals for their country as well as how to achieve they plan to
achieve them. I traveled to 2 villages to pass out medical supplies and
school supplies.
My group also paid for workers to come and fix the
wells so that the people had easier access to cleaner water. I took my
baths with boiled water mixed in another bucket that had cold water. I
visited the ocean in Kribi for a night and it was beautiful! I sang and
danced with the locals and just got a true experience of their culture.
It was such an amazing trip and I would love the opportunity to go
again!
