October 16th, 2014 by Rachel | Tags: Peace Corps | 3 Comments »
I have been assigned to Bamenda, the capital city of Northwest!!!
When shortly after I received my invitation to Cameroon and passed the final medical clearance, I contacted Mobility International USA to update them on my application process and thank them for their support. They responded to my message by telling me that they were connected to a president of a disability organization in Cameroon and asked me if I wanted to get in touch with her. I certainly accepted the offer. The president of the disability organization in Cameroon and I both corresponded briefly. She said that she’d love to have me work with her. I told her that I had no control over where I could be placed as it was Peace Corps’ decision, and I had to be flexible, but I could let Peace Corps staff members know that I was interested in being placed in Northwest so that my secondary project could focus on working with people with disability, and I could work with her. Shortly before I left for Cameroon, Mobility International USA posted on Facebook an article featured on NPR about another Cameroonian woman with disability who was also a president of another disability organization in Northwest. I posted a comment saying that I wished I could get in touch with her. They connected me with her. She also expressed how much she’d love to have my support too.
When I had my first interview with the director of Peace Corps health sector in Cameroon and another staff member on the second day in Yaounde, I told them that I’ve been in touch with two people with disabilities who are presidents of disability organizations in Northwest. I told them that I understand that one of Peace Corps’ policy is to be flexible and volunteers should go where they are most needed, and I have told the presidents that I could not make any promises. I added that however, I would love for my secondary project to focus on people with disability. The director of health sector told me that they could look into it and see if they can work something out.
A week later, the director of health sector came to me and asked me for the contact info of both women with disabilities with whom I’ve been in contact. She said that a staff member would like to meet them. I gave them to her.
A week later, I heard from one of the women with disability via email who told me that she met with Peace Corps and had a nice long meeting.
The following week, I had a follow up meeting with the director of Peace Corps health sector in Cameroon and the same staff member with whom I interviewed when I first arrived in Yaounde. They did confirm that a Peace Corps staff member did meet with the disability organization in Bamenda and asked me if I was certain that I’d like to work with them. I told them, “Yes!”
Yesterday, the post assignments for all trainees were announced. I have been officially assigned to Bamenda, the capital city of Northwest! I will be working with the organization, Coordination Unit of Association of Persons with Disability, as my primary assignment. I am in a complete awe that Peace Corps made the effort to work out in having me work with people with disability as my primary project and also that a Peace Corps staff member made the effort to meet in person with my contacts in the disability community. This assignment would also not have been possible without Mobility International USA’s support as they were the ones who provided me the connection for the disability community in Cameroon.
On top of all this, one of my contacts in the disability community in Cameroon put me in touch with a professor at University of Toronto who focuses her research on the disability community in Cameroon and has been providing me lots of info to help with my assignment. She’ll be in Bamenda for a business trip shortly after I arrive there.
The Peace Corps Director of Cameroon also told me that there is a school for the deaf in Baufoussam, about an hour from Bamenda, and they have requested a Peace Corps Volunteer. He told me that I could perhaps do a side project with them.
Bamenda is known for its scenic location and super chilly climate which makes me very happy! According to a travel guide book, Northwest looks like it came straight out of a fairytale scene as it’s a beautiful mountainous region. People who personally know me knows very well that I have a strong love for mountains. Northwest along with the West is also known for having a wide variety of food, which means lots of opportunities to play with my cooking skills! There will be at least three other Peace Corps Volunteers including one from my sector in Bamenda. I’m super stoked!
This is the moment when I first found out my post.
3 Comments
Jimmie Sorrento
October 16, 2014 at 10:27 am
Rachel. This is awesome you working with disabled people.
Perfect for you because you understand the obstacles yourself
Good luck on your adventure and stay safe
leo & bayla chaikof
October 16, 2014 at 7:44 pm
Rachel…you are absolutely amazing!!!! your blogs are beautifully written and informative and a pleasure to read…we are so proud of you & your accomplishments..keep up the good work and keep us posted..stay well and safe!!! love … Zaidy @ Bubbi
Varda
October 19, 2014 at 5:14 pm
Your positive persistence continues to move you in such wonderful directions! It sounds like you will be doing some amazing work! Congratulations!!