What I Wish You Knew about Danfili

On our Volunteer Reporting Forms that we have to fill out several times a year, we are always asked the question, “What do you wish people knew about your country of service?”  The question always irritates me because my experience is not of Cameroon, but that of Danfili.  In a country with over 200 ethnic groups, different religions, and incredibly different climates, it’s difficult to speak about the country as a whole.  Although I have visited most of the regions, I have no more understanding than a tourist or a visitor.  The only place I can truly speak about is my village.  So, I’m changing the question, “What do you wish people knew about your post?”  That’s a question I can answer.

I wish people knew that:

·      Danfili is a beautiful place to live.  The town is set on slightly higher ground than the surrounding land, so you can see the “brousse” looking on all sides of town.  Along the north side of town are mountains, which create a beautiful backdrop that you can even see from the center of town.

·      Almost everyone can be identified with their name and one descriptor: Tailor Habiba, Daihirou who charges phones, Nana the driver.  In addition, there are so few cars that people know which cars go where and who drives them.  Everyone has their place and their routine.

·      When our neighborhood water pump was broken and the technician didn’t show up, men in our neighborhood left their work for 3 days to fix it.  Each time the pump breaks down, an Alhadji in our neighborhood makes up the difference himself to repair it.  Our entire neighborhood depends on this pump for clean water to drink.

·      When someone is ill, everyone pays them a visit, even if they are a newcomer.  The wife of our high school principal was recently ill.  Although they only arrived this year in Danfili, every day her room was full of people coming to check on her and wish her a quick recovery.

·      When I leave my house, everyone who I pass en route greets me, oftentimes even by name.  With certain people, I exchange longer greetings.  Others throw questions at me in Fulfulde, simply to make me practice.  Children just say “Eliza!” or “Sanoo!” over and over until they can no longer see me, even if I’ve already returned their greeting.

·      Although many people still don’t understand the importance of school, the majority of people aren’t illiterate.  Many people here are not able to read French.  However, those who are Muslim (which is much of the village), are able to read Arabic characters.  They learn this from a young age in order to read the Quran.  Although the majority doesn’t actually understand the Arabic language, they are able to use Arabic characters to write and read Fulfulde (their native language).  Before everyone had cell phones, they would send letters to one another in this way.

·      Danfili is a village in the midst of change and development.  Although there is a lot of importance put on tradition, there are many people who understand the importance of progress, as well.  These people put massive amounts of time and energy into improving the community where they grew up and where their children will grow up.  I have the privilege of working with these motivated individuals and calling many of them my friends.  Some of them are trying to improve services at the hospital and knowledge on health issues.  The parent association has been working on a project to add the final grades to our high school so that students don’t have to move to another town to finish school.  Others work with agriculture associations to improve techniques and produce products that currently must be shipped here from elsewhere.  The list goes on and on, but it’s these people who are truly shaping the future of the village.  They are what I wish you knew about Danfili.