Meeting With The Sultan

After all the hard work we have been putting in the past few days, we spent the day checking out the sights of the previous Tech For Africa team's efforts. We began our day paying a brief visit to the elementary school down the road where we will be working all day tomorrow. Our driving destination for the day: the palace of the Sultan of Foubom but before we could meet with his majesty, we went to one of the donation sights of the last Tech For Africa trip. Unfortunately one of the four laptops were missing, however the three remaining laptops have been being put to exceptional use. During the last project, TFA I provided the computer lab with a year's worth of internet and we discovered upon our return that they had created a business to continue the funds for the internet. In addition to this major progress, many people delivered descriptions, progress, and goals for projects that they have created and been working on thanks to the laptops and internet opportunity that Tech For Africa I provided. One project that really stood out was a a female owned mushroom business that has experienced such a growing demand that she is currently in the process of expanding her operation. The woman learned her techniques of producing mushrooms and their various nutritional and medicinal uses while using the TFA laptops and having the opportunity to access the internet. Another project consisted of creating a program to instruct and empower other business people on using the internet and computers, expanding on our efforts of "Teach The Teacher." Other projects ranged from online antique sales, handicapped services, as well as HIV and AIDS treatment and prevention. It was absolutely to see the previous trip's hard work being put to great use and to see the people really empowering themselves and trying to make a difference in their community.

After hearing about the projects and answering questions from a variety of business it was time to meet with the Sultan! We were all a bit nervous as we were briefed on the proper etiquette and bowing form, but his majesty ended up being completely charming. During our visit we received a tour of the palace museum displaying many of the dynasty relics, historical documents and artifacts. Our royal visit was completed when we had the opportunity to visit the Queen's house and partake in desserts and refreshments.

Visiting With The Queen

Before heading to the plantation, we had the chance to practice our bargaining techniques at the local market. Two long rows of shops left our heads spinning, our pockets a bit lighter and smiles on our faces as headed to the car hands full of hard bargained trinkets from Africa. Tomorrow will be one of our most important days, with all of our focus being directed towards the elementary school and providing the kids with the technology that everyone worked so hard towards!

Bonne Fete De La Femme!

After finishing breakfast we set off on our two hour ride towards the Universite Des Montagne to finish up our endeavors from the previous day. The first mission was to finish installing the SmartBoard and deliver training to some of the students, faculty, and technicians about the possibilities that the new technology has to offer. It was amazing to see the SmartBoard up and running as students had the chance to sign their names and receive their first hands-on experience with the board. As we looked at the SmartBoard it we couldn't help but see all of the people back in the United States who helped lead us to this moment. We could not tell who was more enthused, the students at having received this wonderful donation or the members of Technology For Africa seeing a portion of their mission come alive. 

After leaving the main university campus, we headed to the clinic associated with the university, where members of the community are working to supply, train, and create an prominent hospital. The medical clinic shows great promise in expanding its services, faculty, and the quality needed to both train future students and provide the community with the health care that is so needed in the surrounding areas. As a portion of Bandage For Africa $18,500 was raised towards a brand new ultrasound machine to be installed in the clinic, with a most sincere thank you going out to Possibilities Without Borders and an anonymous donor. A major portion of today's events were dedicated to operating and delivering basic operational training to the doctors and students. Dr. Brittany and her patient Will did a great job teaching the clinic members!

After a debriefing between Dr. Desplaces and the board members of the college, our efforts at the the Universite Des Montagnes were complete for this year. A heart warming exchange of contacts, gifts, and sincere thank you guided us out of the city of Bagante. And for those of you who do not know, today is officially international women's day, so to all the lovely ladies partout le monde (around the world): "Bonne fete de la femme!"

A student wearing her beautiful women's
day dress, with this year's Cameroon pattern
that was parading everywhere in the cities in honor
of all of the hard working ladies!

Université des Montagnes

Today was an amazing day! We visited the Université des Montagnes, a medical university located about an hour away from the plantation. We arrived at the college with a mixture of excitement, curiosity, and nerves at meeting and interacting with the Cameroonian students. We were given an in-depth tour of the campus where we discovered that all nine of the laptops from the previous project were in perfect condition, accounted for and appreciated more than ever. We also learned about the progress that the university has made in researching and creating various types of important medicines.

 

After the campus tour Will, Carolyn, and Brittany delivered an Entrepreneurship and Business ethics workshop that was attended by about 128 students. They did a great job briefing the students at the college about some of the business aspects that we are learning in our own education back in the states. Throughout the presentation, students were asked various business questions and if they answered correctly in french they received Obama Tshirts, which have been met with great enthusiasm during both the previous trip and today. At the end of the presentation, Dr. Desplaces announced that we decided to donate one of the two SmartBoards and six laptops to facilitate their medical and educational endeavors. Cheers flooded the room and the members of Tech For Africa beamed as they saw their hard work finally come to life. 

Following Tech For Africa's presentation, some of the students at the university delivered a medical presentation telling a little more about the efforts and goals at the college. We broke for lunch and then it was off to set up the SmartBoard! During the assembly, 39 members of the college's student government body gathered with TFA to discuss business questions, endeavors, advice and engage in some global collegiate conversation. We were all blown away by their extensive knowledge, passion, hard work, and potential displayed by each and every student at the university. The room was filled with laughter, chatter in French and English, and the sound of promising relationships being formed. The day came to an end and back to the plantation we drove, exhausted, hopeful, and full of a new found vigor towards education and opportunity among people around the globe.

In The Countryside

We just arrived at Monsieur Patrick's plantation about five hours outside of Douala. We spent the day driving through the countryside, and stopped to buy fresh fruits, see a waterfall and smelled the fragrant flowers produced by the Coffee trees that cover over 150 acres of his 1,000 acre farm. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking and the people are incredibly friendly and beautiful. We bounced around in the car with our eyes wide and our smiles even larger. We are learning so much, everything from the politics of the region, to the production of coffee, natural rubber and oil substitutes, to the significance of a person's social status based on the number of silver tinned roofs his house is comprised of. We look forward to many lessons and experiences that this beautiful country and its people have to offer. Tomorrow we are planning on heading to the medical university...this is where our work begins! Another sincere thank you goes out to everyone that helped make this amazing journey begin!

"You will realize when you are older that learning about different cultures allows you to gain true comprehension and to find peace." -Monsieur Patrick Desplaces-

Take a look at the plantation!

WE MADE IT!!

And we made it! Arrived safely in Douala, Cameroon where we will be staying with Dr. Desplaces' uncle in his beautiful home along harbor. We will be headed for the countryside in the morning where we will be spending the majority of our stay! Thanks for following, stay tuned in, the adventure is only beginning!!

In Transit!

Landed safely in Brussels, Belgium! A bit dreary eyed but so excited to enjoy Belgium's chocolates, pastries and some European faces....see you when we land in Cameroon, CHEERS!

Off We Go!

Tech For Africa's students are headed for Cameroon! They were joined by local news stations, Channel 4 and Channel 5 during their departure from the business center, take a look at the footage online this evening and be sure to stay turned into the blog throughout their ten day stay and be sure to spread the word!

The Faces Behind Technology For Africa

          As the students are about to embark on the journey of a lifetime, each member of the Technology For Africa has taken a moment to share their thoughts, emotions, and feelings about the upcoming trip to Cameroon, Africa! 

Will Munce                                                      Junior

Major: Business Administration

"I'm really not sure what to expect in Cameroon besides incredible hospitality and our fair share of challenges. Despite seeing pictures of the last team's visit, I still don't think that I quite grasp how beautiful the country is or how truly impoverished the country is. I feel like I need to be preparing myself mentally or emotionally for this experience, but I'm just not sure how. It almost feels as if I'm approaching the experience some what emotionally blind if you will, but that only compounds the excitement I have." 

 Carolyn Upchurch

Sophomore                      

Major: International Studies

Minor: French

"I can't believe it's finally here! We've been preparing for our trip to
Cameroon over the last seven months, and the anticipation and excitement for this project has grown stronger every day. I cannot wait to experience the final stage of what has been a long and educating
process--I do not doubt that this will be one of the most rewarding adventures in my lifetime. I hope that my time in Cameroon will alter my perspective; living in a developed country, we often forget that there are other human beings that do not have the resources that we have. I am so excited aid these students and teachers in developing opportunities for their futures--just putting forth a small amount of effort can do so much to make a difference in peoples' lives. I think this is the most important thing I have learned so far."

Brittany Errico

Junior

Major: Business Administration

Concentration in Marketing

"I can hardly believe that we are finally getting on a plane for Cameroon in just a few days! I am so excited to meet all the students at the elementary school and the university and be 

able to personally see how our fundraising will affect their 

lives. I hope I can form new relationships, remember every 

new experience, and take a thousand pictures!"

Courtney Marous

Junior

Major: International Business

Minor: French

"I cannot believe that we will be in Africa at the end of this week!! I feel so incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part of a project of this magnitude. The support that we have encountered throughout this journey has renewed my faith in humanity and made me realize how many people are ready to step up and make a change in the world. The aspect of the upcoming trip that I am looking forward to the most is getting to know the children and the people in the community. I can hardly wait to see their faces as we bring opportunities that will change their lives and provide them with the chance to truly better their knowledge and scope of the world."

Technology Arriving as Planned!

          The minutes are absolutely flying by as Tech For Africa's team does the finishing touches to prepare for their departure this coming friday, March 5th! Word was just received that the the shipment containing the SmartBoards, ultrasound equipment, and other items raised during the project have arrived in Cameroon, Africa and have been safely accounted for.
          The eleven laptops have also arrived at the College of Charleston where the team will be documenting, installing software and consolidating them in preparation to carry all 11 on board when they leave this friday! Thank you again to every single person who helped make this happen! Please check out the blog every day during our visit, as we will be doing updates multiple times a day to recount our adventures!

Campus Bamboozle

          SIFE kicked off its 3rd annual Campus Bamboozle on February 2, 2011 in the Beatty Business Center. Teachers and students geared up to answer the array of African trivia and humorous improv challenges. Each school from the college competed against each other, with the business school winning the final trophy for most spirited! A special thanks to all the students and faculty who helped put on the event and to all of those who attended, we raised over $650.00 towards a laptop for the Technology for Africa project!