The following points of information and advice have been compiled from various sources (previous visitors, former Volunteers, staff, etc.) for people planning to visit Peace Corps Volunteers in Cameroon. Visitors and Volunteers have learned that advance planning, communication between the volunteer and visitor, and flexibility are very important aspects of a successful and satisfying trip. We hope that the suggestions and information below will be helpful. You may also wish to consult various travel books such as the Lonely Planet's Africa on a Shoestring and West Africa on a Shoestring or the Rough guide.
Remember: Visitors are not permitted during a Volunteer's pre-service training or during the first three months at post. The best time for visits are after a Volunteer has spent at least six months at post.
1. Planning. Start planning at least six months before departure since several things have to be done sequentially which can add up to several weeks/months. Keep in mind that communication takes a long time, so arranging the logistics through the mail will require a lot of lead-time. Make sure that the timing of your visit is convenient for the Volunteer you are visiting. A Volunteer's primary obligation is to his/her assignment, so be sure that your visit will not disrupt any work plans. We recommend visits at some point during the second year.
2. Passport. If you do not already have a passport, obtain a passport application and application instructions from a post office or your travel agent. To apply for a passport, you will need the completed application with two passport photos (with your signature on the back of each photo) and the application fee.
3. Visa. To apply for a visa to Cameroon, obtain two application forms from the Cameroonian embassy, 2349 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008 or over the Net; the phone number at the embassy is (202) 265-8790. After completing the applications, send them to the embassy with your passport, two passport photos, W.H.O. records showing the required yellow fever shot (see below), the application fee, and a copy of either your tickets or your detailed flight itinerary, and a bank statement. You may also need to submit a letter of invitation from your Volunteer family member. Peace Corps Cameroon will also provide you with a letter supporting your visa application if your volunteer provides the offices with the details of your visit. You will be issued a single entry visa only, unless you specifically request multiple entry. You must have multiple entry if you plan to leave the country and return during the period of the visa's validity. Be sure to call the Embassy and verify with them that procedures have not changed.
It is our understanding that the Embassy will not return your passport to you unless you send a pre-paid express mail envelope. If you are in the D.C. area, you can pick it up at the embassy.
Separate visas are required for almost all African countries you may plan to visit, except for intermediate stops where you will not go outside the terminal while en route to or from Cameroon. Each embassy requires that you send your passport with the visa application, so you can only apply for one visa at a time.
You can consolidate and expedite your passport and visa applications if necessary by going through a private company that handles it for you for an additional fee of approximately $30 per visa or passport. (Ask a travel agent for details).
4. Health. A yellow fever vaccination is required. This immunization must be logged in a World Health Organization (W. H. O.) International Certificate of Vaccination. For more information on what additional vaccines, antimalarials or medications are required or recommended, contact your local health board or the Division of Immunization at the Centers for Disease in Atlanta, Georgia, (404) 639-1870, or on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/cafrica.html
You should also plan to take anti-malarial prophylactic drugs prior to departure from USA and during your stay in Cameroon. Contact the Malaria Hotline at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, (404)639-1610 for information on what drug(s) to take and where you can get them.
While in Cameroon, precautions must be taken with food preparation and water treatment. Drink only bottled water in sealed bottles or water that has been filtered and chlorinated or boiled. Vegetables must also be soaked in chlorine if they are not being cooked or peeled.
There are health risks, and the medical facilities in Cameroon are not comparable to facilities in the United States. Peace Corps medical Staff cannot provide care for family members or friends who require medical attention while in Cameroon. We strongly suggest that you consider extra insurance with emergency evacuation coverage from a company such as International SOS Assistance, Inc. (P.O. Box 11568, Philadelphia, PA 19116, 1-800-523-8930 or 215-244-1500 in PA).
5. Money. The currency used in Cameroon is called franc CFA. The franc CFA is fixed to the Euro (656 CFA = 1 Euro; 1 USD is about 500 CFA.) Travelers’ checks are safe, but incur exceedingly high commission rates and other charges (up to 25%). Travelers’ checks in dollars have also become increasingly difficult to change. You may want to take at least some travelers checks in Euros, since switching dollars to CFA in Yaoundé is usually more expensive than switching dollars to Euros in U.S. and then Euros to CFA in Yaoundé. Some of the big (and expensive) hotels in Yaoundé will accept an American Express or Visa credit card (caution advised). ATMs on the “Plus” system are increasingly available around the country. The best person to answer questions about money (and how much to take) is the Volunteer whom you are planning to visit.
6. Baggage. Have all your suitcases locked. On most airlines, you are allowed 2 pieces of baggage (not to exceed 50 lbs. each) per passenger for trips from the United States to Europe, but only 20 kg (44 lbs.) total for intra-European or African flights. Therefore, you may be charged an excess baggage fee for anything over 44 lbs. from Europe to Africa unless you check your baggage through to Africa directly from the U.S. (If you check baggage all the way through, be sure the baggage ticket has all appropriate code letters for the trip; the code for the airport in Douala is DLA, the Yaoundé airport is NSI, and the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris is CDG). Consult your airline or travel agent for further information.
7. Flight Check-In. If you fly through Paris, arrive at the check-in counter for the flight to Douala or Yaoundé two hours before take off. They start checking passengers in then and you cannot get a seat assignment until this check-in. The check-in process goes very slowly, so plan to stand in line a long time. They will not allow large carry-on bags.
8. Arrival in Douala / Yaoundé. You must have both your passport and W.H.O. card for immigration when arriving at the airports in Cameroon. French and some English are spoken at the airport, but it would be best to ask the Volunteer you are visiting to have someone meet you at the airport. You will have to open all bags for inspection. Try to keep all your bags in sight once they come into the baggage area. There will be men vying to carry your bags for payment. Carry your bags yourself if you can. If not, negotiate a price with one person before allowing anyone to take your bags (about 1$ per bag.) If no one is going to meet you at the airport, get instructions ahead of time from the Volunteer on how to take a taxi to your next destination.
9. Accommodations. Your best source of information about where to stay is the Volunteer whom you are planning to visit. The Yaoundé Hilton presently has a special rate for families and friends of Peace Corps and is recommended by Peace Corps staff, and the Akwa Palace Hotel in Douala gives a Peace Corps discount as does the Parfait Garden.
10. Photos. Picture taking is fine, in general, but you should always ask permission before taking anyone's photograph. Photos are never allowed at the airport or any military installation, so please keep your camera concealed when near these locations.
11. Identification. During the course of your stay in Cameroon, you will have to show your passport to the police several times, so you must carry it with you in a safe place at all times. It is sometimes convenient to have a certified photocopy of your passport to present to officials. Your volunteer will know how to do this.
12. Departure. Presently, you must pay a departure tax of 10,000 CFA at the Douala or Yaoundé airport before boarding. Check ahead of time, as this tax needs to be paid in local currency, and most likely you would need the exact amount.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Contact information
Email: wrightk21@gmail.com
Snail mail:
Katherine A. Wright
Peace Corps Trainee
Corps de la Paix
B.P. 215
Yaoundé, Cameroon
Mailing tips:
Keep in mind that developing countires like Cameroon don't have mailing systems we're all accustomed to. Here are some tips to help letters/packages along:
- Make sure to write "Airmail" and "Par Avion" on the envelopes
- Writing "Sister" or "Daughter" in front of the name will add importance to the parcel and may move it along quicker...or maybe someone will think I'm a nun
- Number each item that is sent, if the first letter I receive is #3 we'll know I missed the first 2
- Stay away from "surface mail", this can take a long. long. time!
- Thank you!! Taking the time to mail something to me is pretty awesome. So thank you!
FAQS
When are you leaving? Tuesday September 18th for Philadelphia, I'll meet up with about 40 other volunteers headed to Cameroon for training/visits to the doctor where we'll get suped up on all sort of vaccines. We'll fly from Philly to Paris and connect to Cameroon on the 21st. For the first 3 months I'll live with a host family and endure training for my future job.
Why are you going? I can't think of a better time in my life to take off and volunteer for a cause I'm passionate about. The travel bug has got me and I've always wanted to speak French.
What will you be doing Working as a public health coordinator is a dream job...I'm stoaked! Main projects: HIV/AIDS education, malaria prevention, water/sanitation, and mother/baby nutrition. On the side: I'm bringing along some discs to toss around...hopefully start an ultimate group.
How long will you be gone? Hopefully for about 2 years, if all goes well. This would put me back in the states around Decemeber 09' or January 10'. I may come back to Oregon next summer for my brothers wedding...and the Olympic Trials in Eugene (fingers crossed)
What will you miss the most? ULTIMATE, cafe yumm, having family 1 hour either north or south on I-5, dream pizza, moms baking/tea time, being able to call shaddy whenever I feel like it, Sunday mornings with the times, the public library, puka my volvo, red 10 speeds
Timeline
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
-Mark Twain
Applicant (Fall):
Leaving ultimate practice early is something that is frowned upon though I justified it to learn more about Peace Corps. I sat down, still sweating from frisbee and listened to RPCV (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer) stories/experiences. Peace Corps has been in the back of my mind for years, since high school. The following day I attended an application workshop to learn more. With such a long application process, I needed to apply soon. For the next two weeks, I spent most of my time in the library writing essays, and filling in blanks. I submitted my application along with 2 essays in the middle of November, within two days I received a call from the PC office in Seattle. They wanted to set up a time to interview. This meant shopping with my dear friend Annie for "big kid" clothes, apparently college sweatshirts and/or tie dye wouldn't cut it.
I met with Jen, who would later become my PC Recruiter. Questions ranged from, the basics of why do you want to become a PCV to others such as if I would change my appearance to fit in with the locals - (yes!). When asked about country placement, I stated to place me where the sun will be shining. A few weeks later I received a call from Jen, while I was walking to class. As the rain poured down I took cover under Weniger Hall. This is where I learned I was nominated to serve. I was given 3 options of countries, all working in public health HIV/AIDS prevention, exactly where my heart is for service. I chose the option of West Africa departing in September of 2007. My bud Ed walked by during this conversation (Africa-wow!) and I did all I could to contain my excitement and giving someone (Ed and or a stranger) a big bear hug.
Nominee (Winter/Spring)
A few weeks later a rather large envelope arrived in our tiny mailbox. I was officially nominated on December 1, 2006. Program Name: Health Degreed/Africa. Most Health Degreed volunteers work in communities working to improve the lives of citizens involving Maternal/Child Health, Nutrition, or HIV/AIDS prevention education. Work with HIV/AIDS has always been a passion of mine, work as a Valley Aids Information Network (VAIN) My experience with VAIN has exposed the reality of the disease and how it affects peoples lives.
After one is nominated comes the dreaded medical clearance process. Stories from fellow Frisbee Diva and current PCV Angela was helpful during this time. Monthly emails from Ange to and from Paraguay has been fantastic, she's become my PC Sensei. Appointments were made to the dentist and doctor. Though dentist Jack Rocheld thinks I'm crazy for applying. He mentioned after the office remodel all of the old dentistry chairs and instruments were sent to Africa with a retired dentist and his wife, setting up a clinic. We both decided it was a sign, and Dr.Jack gave me his blessing :).
I was dentally cleared on January 30, 2007, 2 weeks after my appointment with Dr.Jack. One of my X-Rays hangs in the Flat (place I live with flatmate Beckie) due to the fact that its a photograph of my teeth/skull and my nose piercing. Come see it, its hilarious. So the dental went without a hitch and the rest soon followed...or so I thought.
A visit to Dr.Burton went well in Salem, I'm one healthy gal (knock on wood). After numerous blood tests..ugh I was done with that portion after battling anemia for the past year or so (I ate steak for the Peace Corps - no joke!). Due to an allergic reaction (yea to backyard bonfires) from last summer I've been hounding Good Samaritan Hospital for the past few months. Peace Corps does its best to make sure all is covered, understandable once you are out in the field. This past Friday March 30, 2007 I faxed in the rest of the paperwork. I'm going to call the Medical Office in D.C. on Monday to double check everything is in order. Though as far as I know, all that I need to do has been done. Time to sit back, hurry up and wait.
June 7, 2007: I walked home with Luke today, one of our neighbors (the bears upstairs). As we both got our mail I yelped - something from DC! I was happy to find a note from the med. offices asking for additional information. Just another blood test and a quick exam. Sweet! Hopefully after that info. is sent off tomorrow I'll be cleared. Fingers crossed! It was awesome to welcome my flatmate holding up my letter with a huge smile. We're both heading off into wonderful places in our lives (2 different continents strangely enough).
July 7, 2007: I find that I am most productive during the early morning hours. So I woke up yesterday around 6 AM to study a bit for my French exam. During breakfast I opened my email account to find wonderful news: Greetings from the Peace Corps Placement Office in Washington! Congratulations on recently receiving your medical clearance. Needless to say - I'm now one happy peace seeking gal. It's been quite the process so I'm quite relieved everything has gone thorough finally. I've been cooresponding with a few folks in DC, sending updated paperwork and double checking things. They requested I find my passport which led to near distruction of my desk though I found it eventually. The earliest I can leave is September 17, which is right after club sectionals in Corvallis. I'd like to keep playing as much ultimate before I leave. French courses will wrap up in a few weeks and I'll have my degree by the end of August. I am looking forward to hearing more news from DC in the comming weeks.
July 17,2007: I read a National Geographic Adventure magazine at Dixon today. I read a quote that reassured my current state as I wait for invitation:
"Nothing can happen to you if you don't leave home" - Paul Theroux.
I bought it. I'm leaving and I can't wait. Every time I see a FedEx truck I get excited. No, I don't have a thing for FedEx guys. I'm just hoping one of those fellas has my invitation packet.
INVITATION July 25, 2007
Just as I left for a run I took a quick look @ my phone, 1 voice mail. I received a message from the Peace Corps informing me of an invitation. All I'm told is to check my email and look out for a FedEx package in the next few days - holy crap! I called Celeste and Shaddy to share the news...no one picked up. So I go for a run instead of attempting to bottle up all my excitement. I decide to go to a coffee house and study before meeting Celeste for gelato. I open up my email box to find: Invitation to Serve in Cameroon September 19 2007.
I soon learn I have been invited to be a "Public Health Coordinator" working on numerous projects ranging from mother/infant nutrition, malaria prevention, and HIV/AIDS education. Amazing. Cameroon has been dubbed a "mini-Africa" due to its geographical and cultural diversity. Celeste also pointed out it's the "land of plenty". I'm stoaked, overwhelmed, excited, and sometimes when I think about moving to a foreign country I want to jump up and down...or throw up a little.
-Mark Twain
Applicant (Fall):
Leaving ultimate practice early is something that is frowned upon though I justified it to learn more about Peace Corps. I sat down, still sweating from frisbee and listened to RPCV (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer) stories/experiences. Peace Corps has been in the back of my mind for years, since high school. The following day I attended an application workshop to learn more. With such a long application process, I needed to apply soon. For the next two weeks, I spent most of my time in the library writing essays, and filling in blanks. I submitted my application along with 2 essays in the middle of November, within two days I received a call from the PC office in Seattle. They wanted to set up a time to interview. This meant shopping with my dear friend Annie for "big kid" clothes, apparently college sweatshirts and/or tie dye wouldn't cut it.
I met with Jen, who would later become my PC Recruiter. Questions ranged from, the basics of why do you want to become a PCV to others such as if I would change my appearance to fit in with the locals - (yes!). When asked about country placement, I stated to place me where the sun will be shining. A few weeks later I received a call from Jen, while I was walking to class. As the rain poured down I took cover under Weniger Hall. This is where I learned I was nominated to serve. I was given 3 options of countries, all working in public health HIV/AIDS prevention, exactly where my heart is for service. I chose the option of West Africa departing in September of 2007. My bud Ed walked by during this conversation (Africa-wow!) and I did all I could to contain my excitement and giving someone (Ed and or a stranger) a big bear hug.
Nominee (Winter/Spring)
A few weeks later a rather large envelope arrived in our tiny mailbox. I was officially nominated on December 1, 2006. Program Name: Health Degreed/Africa. Most Health Degreed volunteers work in communities working to improve the lives of citizens involving Maternal/Child Health, Nutrition, or HIV/AIDS prevention education. Work with HIV/AIDS has always been a passion of mine, work as a Valley Aids Information Network (VAIN) My experience with VAIN has exposed the reality of the disease and how it affects peoples lives.
After one is nominated comes the dreaded medical clearance process. Stories from fellow Frisbee Diva and current PCV Angela was helpful during this time. Monthly emails from Ange to and from Paraguay has been fantastic, she's become my PC Sensei. Appointments were made to the dentist and doctor. Though dentist Jack Rocheld thinks I'm crazy for applying. He mentioned after the office remodel all of the old dentistry chairs and instruments were sent to Africa with a retired dentist and his wife, setting up a clinic. We both decided it was a sign, and Dr.Jack gave me his blessing :).
I was dentally cleared on January 30, 2007, 2 weeks after my appointment with Dr.Jack. One of my X-Rays hangs in the Flat (place I live with flatmate Beckie) due to the fact that its a photograph of my teeth/skull and my nose piercing. Come see it, its hilarious. So the dental went without a hitch and the rest soon followed...or so I thought.
A visit to Dr.Burton went well in Salem, I'm one healthy gal (knock on wood). After numerous blood tests..ugh I was done with that portion after battling anemia for the past year or so (I ate steak for the Peace Corps - no joke!). Due to an allergic reaction (yea to backyard bonfires) from last summer I've been hounding Good Samaritan Hospital for the past few months. Peace Corps does its best to make sure all is covered, understandable once you are out in the field. This past Friday March 30, 2007 I faxed in the rest of the paperwork. I'm going to call the Medical Office in D.C. on Monday to double check everything is in order. Though as far as I know, all that I need to do has been done. Time to sit back, hurry up and wait.
June 7, 2007: I walked home with Luke today, one of our neighbors (the bears upstairs). As we both got our mail I yelped - something from DC! I was happy to find a note from the med. offices asking for additional information. Just another blood test and a quick exam. Sweet! Hopefully after that info. is sent off tomorrow I'll be cleared. Fingers crossed! It was awesome to welcome my flatmate holding up my letter with a huge smile. We're both heading off into wonderful places in our lives (2 different continents strangely enough).
July 7, 2007: I find that I am most productive during the early morning hours. So I woke up yesterday around 6 AM to study a bit for my French exam. During breakfast I opened my email account to find wonderful news: Greetings from the Peace Corps Placement Office in Washington! Congratulations on recently receiving your medical clearance. Needless to say - I'm now one happy peace seeking gal. It's been quite the process so I'm quite relieved everything has gone thorough finally. I've been cooresponding with a few folks in DC, sending updated paperwork and double checking things. They requested I find my passport which led to near distruction of my desk though I found it eventually. The earliest I can leave is September 17, which is right after club sectionals in Corvallis. I'd like to keep playing as much ultimate before I leave. French courses will wrap up in a few weeks and I'll have my degree by the end of August. I am looking forward to hearing more news from DC in the comming weeks.
July 17,2007: I read a National Geographic Adventure magazine at Dixon today. I read a quote that reassured my current state as I wait for invitation:
"Nothing can happen to you if you don't leave home" - Paul Theroux.
I bought it. I'm leaving and I can't wait. Every time I see a FedEx truck I get excited. No, I don't have a thing for FedEx guys. I'm just hoping one of those fellas has my invitation packet.
INVITATION July 25, 2007
Just as I left for a run I took a quick look @ my phone, 1 voice mail. I received a message from the Peace Corps informing me of an invitation. All I'm told is to check my email and look out for a FedEx package in the next few days - holy crap! I called Celeste and Shaddy to share the news...no one picked up. So I go for a run instead of attempting to bottle up all my excitement. I decide to go to a coffee house and study before meeting Celeste for gelato. I open up my email box to find: Invitation to Serve in Cameroon September 19 2007.
I soon learn I have been invited to be a "Public Health Coordinator" working on numerous projects ranging from mother/infant nutrition, malaria prevention, and HIV/AIDS education. Amazing. Cameroon has been dubbed a "mini-Africa" due to its geographical and cultural diversity. Celeste also pointed out it's the "land of plenty". I'm stoaked, overwhelmed, excited, and sometimes when I think about moving to a foreign country I want to jump up and down...or throw up a little.
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