Since my arrival in Cameroon two and a half weeks ago I have already collected a remarkable amount of observations, experiences, and reactions, as well as created new relationships, adapted my lifestyle and been given a new task with A Better World Organization.

Immediately after my arrival I underwent a huge culture shock. The poverty was overwhelming, and hence the fact that visitors or tourists are in danger due to their potential and probable wealthy state, was no longer surprising. The country itself is a huge adjustment alone, nature roams everywhere and dominates settlements, while most of my life I have been used to it being vice versa.

Arriving at A Better World orphanage itself however was a positive change. Immediately I was accepted into a tight and open community. The mindset of the children however is also something I have never really been confronted with. One of the impressive differences between children growing up in developed countries with wealthier lifestyles, and these children of the orphanage is the attitude towards food. Although it is not a rarity here, it is still a blessing, while in Western civilizations it is perceived as normality. Another difference is the attitude towards household works as well as outside the house. It is the duty of a child to clean in the house as well as around, to help in the kitchen, to assist in the fields, to wash his or her own clothes, etc. Many of these tasks in Western civilizations are either completed or simplified with the help of machinery, or by those who earn money for it.

The community within the orphanage is absolutely positive. All the children grow up as equals and mostly treat each other as such. The energy and independence of the kids is inspiring, the initiative to come together for songs and prayers in the evenings is not inflicted upon them by an adult but purely comes from them. Their shared belief in God strengthens them and increases the power that they hold as a community.

As to me, my role here is very different from what I expected, although I was not even sure what was really expecting me here. I think I believed to have to work and help out, but then again that assumption may have been slightly foolish, as so far the children have been getting through life perfectly well without me too. But what I did not at all expect is that everyone would be doing work for me as well. Sometimes, for the simplest tasks such as bringing back my own dishes to the kitchen a kid insists on helping me, they barely let me help with washing my own clothes, they take away my slippers to wash them for me, etc. Their will to help me and make life here for me easier is permanent. I have realized however that the physical help and work is not at all what I am needed for but much more as an additional person in their lives who brings them up, teaches them, plays and reads with them, listens to them, and is simply there. To have them know that despite their possibly shattered or unfortunate backgrounds they have people who care for them, not only through financial support. I have not been here for a remarkable amount of time yet, but already do I feel very close to many of the kids, some more than others, but I enjoy the company of every single one of them.

The volunteering as a teacher at the primary school of Kobenyang directly next to the orphanage is a much harsher and less enjoyable experience, although I am still thankful for it, as it has taught me much. Here, the students are taught that “the teacher is the master” and that he has the right to get physical with loud and disturbing students. Such a concept is unimaginable in many parts of the world today. However I have come to learn that with the way children behave here, and with their lack of attention, it is often necessary for the teachers to act this way in order to gain their students attention. The overall level of education however is poor, the English language in which the teachers convey their learning material often lacks correct grammar and contains spelling mistakes, as I have observed a few times. Also, some of the teachers that I work with at Kobenyang primary school seem less interested in motivating their students for their subjects, than in their personal benefits. Personally volunteering as a French teacher I am glad to be able to transfer my personal knowledge to the children who are willing to listen and interested in learning, but certain factors are discouraging: Some of the students seem to have no interest in the language, which they express by disturbing their peers, hence the class, and herewith slowing down the entire lesson. Secondly, the French they have previously been taught was purely verbal, the students are clueless when it comes to reading and writing in French. Lastly, I am sometimes being taken advantage of by some of the teachers, who again only perceive me as a beneficial factor for themselves, as I take away some of their working hours.

Overall however so far this experience has been enriching for me as I have gotten to create new bonds with so many children, experienced a new culture and new traditions, and seen what privileged educational system and financial state I have grown up with. It is not easy living so far from everything and -one known to you, without any other volunteer or friend sharing the time, but the community of the orphanage makes bearing the difficulties easier.

The kids of A Better World children's Home had a wonderful Christmas celebration. Thanks to all members, partners and well-wishers. A Better World is wishing you all a happy and prosperous new year 2012.

A Better World with partners, is presently giving financial support to pay the hospital bills of Blessing a child who had a serious accident with hot water. The concern of  the organization was raised when the burns which the child incured from the accident started to decay because she had no medical support for about 2 weeks after the accident. The child is presently at the hospital receiving treatment and bills paid by A Better World and partners.

A Better World took part in a 3 days seminar which was hosted by the Cameroon National youth council and the Switzerland Youth council in IRIQ Yaounde. The purpose of the seminar was to empower Organizations/ Associations working with youths to best achieve their goals.

A Betterworld's education project has also started. Sana a volunteer who assisted in teaching I.C.T  went back and Luke Williams from the UK was here teaching I.C.T in two different schools in Momo Division, Cameroon. The kids are always very happy to have opportunities like this to learn. Thanks to all our supporters and for those who are interested in the teaching field, we have opportunities where you can volunteer in many schools in Cameroon teaching subjects like; French language, English Language, I.C.T, Health Education, Environmental Education etc. Please contact us by email if you are interested; contact@abetterworld-cm.org

The kids at the orphanage  are all ready for school. You can see the smile on their faces. Thanks to all who are sacrificing to see these kids get education. A lot of thanks.

time for computer studies

Thanks to Luke William a volunteer from UK who donated 3 laptops to the children at the orphanage to increase their computer knowledge.

The kids are very pleased with this donation and they are getting on with computer studies all weekends.

The roof of A Better World orphanage is back in good shape. Thanks for every contribution done  especially by our Volunteers from Austria, Franziska and Julia.

The kids are always thinking of you all and putting you in their prayers

Our kick malaria project is going on very well. We have health volunteers from Austria and the U.S.A who are educating as well as taking practical measures to prevent the population from getting malaria. Of recent 164 mosquito nets where donated by A Better World to 164 families which in each family, three children share one bed and are protected by one mosquito bed net, meaning in total the project has protected and saved 492 kids from malaria. Lets join our hands together to make the world a better place.

Many thanks to John Underwood (Uncle John as the children call him) an American Peace corp who has been contributing to the well-being of the orphans of A Better World orphanage. Thanks John for the health education, the games  and all you share with the kids.

A Better World met with over 100 underprivileged children in two schools in the North West Region of Cameroon and they were able to supply the children with some of their school needs. Books, shoes, uniforms, bags, pens, pencils and color pencils and some money.

We thank you all for supporting in making a better world. Your contributions count a lot.

Our Education project has been going very well. The children are very happy to learn everything as our volunteer from the U.S.A  Robert is teaching them a lot of stuff.

Thank you to all of you out there who care for the underprivileged children. Thank you Robert for your time here and thanks in advance for those planning to come and contribute in helping the kids.

We want to immensely thank the Engineers without boarders from the United States who Visited A Better World Orphanage. Their visit is remarkable in the lives of the orphans. We all say a big thank you to them all.