Experiences: UAC

How is life in a different country? What can I do to enlarge my horizon? What can I learn from a different culture and are there things people can learn from me? With these questions, ready to be answered I started my adventure as a volunteer in Africa.

Through the organisation ICA (Institute of Cultural Affairs), where I followed a course in participatory methods, I came in touch with United Action for Children. Out of a lot of projects in Africa I chose to work with UAC in Cameroon. UAC seemed to me as an organisation where I could use my experience as an art teacher.

Preparing my trip was a very exiting period. It was my first time to travel out of Europe. You don’t know what to expect and how you will react on living in a completely different environment. To find out more, I contacted several Dutch people who had been volunteers for the organisation in the past. Due to their positive stories, I left my country without any fear.

During my first week in Buea I was completely shocked. It started when my plane landed. I saw trees and plants I never saw before. I saw a woman just walking beside the runway. We passed her; she carried a basket with wood on her back. Those days I experienced how it feels when everything around you is different. I felt like a newborn baby and wondered how I ever would be able to work. That feeling changed quickly. The family of Mr. Orock took care of me and introduced me in the African way of living by sharing their food and life with me.

Volunteer with Camerooni kids The first weeks within UAC I tried to find out as much as possible about the different programs. I met all the staff members and volunteers and talked a lot with everybody. Together with the organisation I decided to teach in the painting department of the vocational training. These children were very different than those I am used to. The boys were aged from 12 to 20. Most of them were very poorly educated because they didn’t have the chance to finish their primary or secondary school. When money is not there it means the end of education to a lot of children in Cameroon. It was a great pleasure to me to work with these boys. In general I think I learnt as much from them as they learned from me. I gave them my knowledge and they taught me the African way of living, talking, reasoning. Their motivation impressed me, many Dutch youngsters could learn from their attitude.

Besides working with youngsters, I worked with the local staff and other European and Asian volunteers within UAC. Working with people from different countries was very interesting for me. As a European you work in a different continen Children in a sack race t with its own rules. If you only use your European mentality you won’t come far. You have to adapt to the culture as you meet it. Within UAC everybody works together every day. All members are forced to meet each others differences. Out of this meeting the organisation grows. Of course there were also difficulties: I asked myself many times "Why do they do it like this? What is the meaning of this reaction?" But in general UAC is a place were people meet, talk and learn.

My stay in Cameroon and Buea in particular was a wonderful time. I met many nice people, a warm peaceful and friendly culture. UAC was a place were I could teach and learn a lot. I hope the organisation will keep on growing, because it’s absolutely worthwhile and necessary. I will never forget this special adventure.

Wietske Cuperus, Netherlands