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.
