AMA Cameroon
Adventist Primary School of Lassin
A Gospel Ministries International project
Objective of this school- spread the good news of Jesus’ love, plan and soon coming for us to children of the mountains Northwest Cameroon. While providing ‘top notch’ education, we sow the seed of the gospel in the minds of the children, then their parents, and to their community.
We understand that these people are not quickly swept away by a ‘quick witness’ scheme. We take time to develop our friendship with God, then friendship with people. Then as one friend shares good news with another, we share the truth of Jesus with these dear people.
THE SCHOOL
What is the school setting? The school is located within a valley at 4000 foot elevation in tropical west central Africa. It is a quiet country location, 3 miles from Lassin, with a stream nearby, surrounded by subsistence farmers and cattle ranchers.
How big is the school? It is a reasonably spacious four classroom, mud brick and metal roof structure. We plan to provide education for grades 1 – 6. There are 15 desks per classroom providing seating for 30 children.
Who comprises the Lassin school team? Project leaders (two), imported teachers (four), local teacher assistants (one per teacher). Present need: is for imported teachers.
Term of service: one school year; about 9 months (Last week of August until mid or end of May).
What is a typical day like? Have personal devotional time, join team in to prepare and eat breakfast, pack lunch, walk 2.5 – 3 miles to school with the children who live in town. Perform teaching duties and walk home with the children. Prepare and eat dinner with team. Hang out with local folk and make friends. Wednesday, Friday and Sabbath evenings we all join for church gatherings.
What duties are expected of me? Daily lesson planning and teaching, then all other aspects of keeping yourself alive. First, you must come here with the attitude of “What can I do to help?” There are more tasks here than you ‘can shake a stick at’. Life is fun, but busy. You will have the pleasure of going to market to purchase your food and visit with local merchants. You will need to prepare it for storage, and prepare it for meals. All cooking and clean-up responsibilities are yours. Meals will be prepared with water that you carry and filter, and cooked over a stove that you have purchased fuel for. Washing clothing is done by hand; not because clothing is delicate, but because that’s all we have.
What is the general disposition of the children? They’re kids! They will stare at you, test your authority, touch your skin and hair, play with you, and love you.
What support is provided for ‘teachers’? A project leader is a certified school teacher. You will be mentored in how to prepare lesson plans and guided through the entire task of teaching. You do not have to be a teacher when you arrive, but you should have the necessary personality skills required to work with children- past experience of working with children is required.
CHURCH
Are there opportunities to ‘witness’ or hold ‘outreach’? In abundance. We are developing a church membership of disciples, training them to reach their community with the gospel.
THE COUNTRY
Where is Lassin Cameroon? In the NorthWest province inside the east side of the ‘Ring’ road. Find Kumbo on the map. You’re close enough. You can use GoogleEarth to find Lassin. You’ll see the air strip north of town. The school is as far past the air strip as the air strip is from town.
What languages are spoken in Lassin? Nooni (“no knee”), Pigeon English, English, Housa & Fulani are of Arabic descent, French, and a few other neighboring local dialects similar to Nooni. We teach in English and the assistant translates as needed.
What is the climate like? Every day in short sleeves, evenings and mornings may require long sleeves, rarely a light jacket nice. Humidity ranges from 20% to 70%. Very low in dry season and 70% in rainy season.
Are there opportunities for touring / sight-seeing? We live in a beautiful area. We ‘tour’ back and forth to Kumbo for supplies as necessary.
Are there dangerous animals in Lassin or Cameroon? None more dangerous than the mice that spoil our bananas. Snakes are rare and very wary.
What is the risk of social unrest, danger from people? Cameroonians are very peace loving people. Penalties for suspicion of harming a ‘white’ person are very stiff. Serious danger seems very unlikely.
What are the basic amenities? Local stores and market vendors supply all that is required to keep men and women’s needs met. More familiar food and hardware supplies are only 2.5 hours away in Kumbo.
How close is Lassin to the big city? About 5 hours drive, in dry season, to Bamenda where there is about every necessity that we have imagined.
What about a passport and Visa? Get your passport, and then contact the Cameroon embassy in Washington D.C. for a 6 month visa to Cameroon. Nearly 6 months after coming here, we’ll help you apply for a 3 month extension.
FOOD
What kind of food will I find to eat? Fruit: bananas, papaya, pineapple, oranges, mangos, passion fruit, guava, avocado. Vegetables: tomatoes, carrots, Irish potatoes, various yams, greens, cassava. Grains & legumes: rice, corn, Quaker oats, beans, soy beans, peanuts. Odds & ends: sugar cane, fresh coconut, cola nuts (too hard to eat), eggs. Meat: don’t even think of it- you’ll see why. Milk: powdered.
What are the cooking / eating arrangements? Single teachers are encouraged to cook and eat together.
Is the water safe? The town of Lassin has a water system that provides pretty clean water. The school has a well on campus. We recommend that you filter all water.
HOUSING
What kind of housing will I have? Guy’s and gal’s rental houses in town for first part of the year, then staff housing at the school for the last third of the year. These are secure, have indoor cooking and bathing, and outdoor enclosed pit toilets. Staff housing at the school will be constructed during the mid year. We plan to have indoor toilets, showers, ‘running’ water, sinks, and electricity available.
Is there electricity? Yes, standard US 110 VAC will be available for charging cell phones and lap-tops. Later at the school housing, lighting will be done with electricity.
What are the bathrooms like? Pit type are common in town and used at the school. We plan to have indoor commodes by February ’11 at the school.
MEDICAL
Am I going to get sick with some awful disease? Not likely. With proper hygiene, nutrition, and risk avoidance, you’ll probably do just fine. Malaria is here, but mosquitoes are rare and precautions are available.
How close is medical care? There is a nice Baptist Health Center in Lassin, and two hospitals in Kumbo. Emergency air transport is available for 50,000 CFA to Kumbo, arrangements can be made for transport to Douala.
What should be done about medical insurance? US insurance is available (we have IMG missionary medical insurance www.imglobal.com that includes emergency medical transport), but 100,000 CFA will be more than enough for nearly any surgery that one may need. Keep it on hand.
Are there other potential health risks? Yes, the air here can be very smoky during dry season (November – March). The neighbor’s cooking fires send some level of smoke into homes twice a day. Respiratory irritation is very possible, but not necessarily serious.
What about medical requirements? You must have a Yellow fever vaccination and the ‘yellow’ card. Other immunizations are recommended. See your family physician.
COMMUNICATION
How will I be able to communicate to family ‘back home’? You should buy a cell phone (about 20,000 CFA, $50) after you get to Cameroon. Purchase a ‘SIM’, a type of calling plan (about 10,000 CFA). You can call family from the school property. Family should plan on purchasing a calling card to Cameroon. It is free to receive phone calls on cell phones in Cameroon. Lassin is 9 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time. The project leaders will have an Iridium satellite phone that can make emergency contact from any location in Africa. You can receive text messages free on this phone. Family members can use Iridium.com, select the SMS feature and send to the number 8816 316 72129. SMS must include sender’s name or initials. Iridium messages are checked no more than once a day, so plan at least 2 days ahead. Sample message: Nancy, I’ll call you Sabbath at 4 PM your time, luv mom. Because of the high cost of sat phone use, messages will be passed on to the receiving party who will then be responsible for returning the call.
MONEY
What costs are involved? Air fare, bus transport, food, cell phone & credit. In addition to your air fare, be prepared to spend $200 per month (about $2000 cash should last 9 months). You’ll get about 400 – 450 Francs, per dollar. 10,000 CFA is about 25$. Two people can eat for a week on 5,000 CFA.
Can I get more money if I run out? There is a Western Union office in Kumbo. Family ‘back home’ can ‘wire’ it to you there.
TRANSPORTATION
What kind of transportation is available to Lassin, in Lassin, and to neighboring towns? The project leaders have a Toyota Corolla Tercel; 4WD wagon. This is used for necessary transportation and emergency medical transportation of locals and ‘imports’. The use of ‘public’ transportation is available.
Will someone be at the airport to meet me? Will someone take me to the airport when the school year is over? YES, yes. All staff will be accompanied by a project leader or highly responsible local unless it is clearly unnecessary.
PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS
What kind of physical condition should I be in? Great! Be able to walk 3 miles, twice a day, wearing a 10 pound day pack. You should have no significant medical conditions. Please do not come here if you are in mortal danger without your medication.
What kind of attitude should I have? Team player. Ask, “how may I help you?” You should love life and love people. You should enjoy working and playing.
What kind of spiritual life should I have? Daily, growing. This will be your biggest asset.
CONTACT INFO
Use the GMI website to apply to volunteer for this project.