Different ways of working
on Wendy Bird in Cameroon (Cameroon), 12/Aug/2009 19:29, 34 days ago
You may already know I am back home, well and now fully rested. It is time to think back and update the blog now that I have completed my report for VSO. So how have I got on with what was I asked to do in Cameroon? It was like starting any new job, it took to time get to know what I was here to do and to feel that I was making a contribution.I took the opportunity to meet different people which enabled me to begin to understand and work out what I was to do and how. The situation improved once I started attending the Union meetings, contributing to the organisationsOD self assessment a well as theHuman Resources workshop andthe Gender and Health workshops.They added to my understanding of what were community organisations,as well as providing me with the information I sought to review CBOD both as a concept but practically too.I have learnt so much that I can take back through observing various styles of facilitation, work shop activities, different ways to encourage participation and also had the chance to try out new ways of doing things. For example neutral probing questions to have a better understanding of the participants' responses, being part of and enjoying the workshops, even when the discussions became circular andwe got stuck.New approaches included demonstratingappraisals through role play and for the CBOD review designing a short questionnaire for volunteers, facilitating small focus groups and using memory stick (flash) and lapptops for them to record the discussion points.French, English and Pidgin are the common languages used in Cameroon and how to communicate well with people for whom English is a second or third language is important. There are said to be 256 dialects in Cameroon soI had to learn to follow Pidgin, a languagecommonly used by the farmers here inthe North West region. I was mindful thatI have a very English accent, a quiet voice so I had to make sure that I could be understood. This meant getting to know the local culture and what was important to them.On our last day Keri and I dressed in our African dresses did a joint presentation in the morning to provide NOWEFOR feedback , what we have learnt and also some recommendations. It was a good session although sad to say good bye.That afternoon we settled our affairs at the Baptist centre, packed etc as we were leaving for Yaounde early the next day and then the plan was to have a short holiday in Kribi. So next posting will be more about R&R