GeoAid crew in Lomie, Cameroon

It is time for me to document my experience here in Cameroon. I leave for the US on a red eye tonight with a day layover in Paris. Cameroon is referred to as “Little Africa” because it has a bit of all Africa throughout this small country located in the hinge of Africa. The country is half English speaking and half French which is primarily where I was visiting. I experienced the city and the jungle and both are unique but really not desirable. The best thing that can be said about Cameroon is that the country is politically stable and free of violence. But it is a country that does not have a lot going for it nor does it appear they care. The power players in the city are either government or NGOs dominated by UN aid organizations. The jungle or the Eastern province where my GeoAid is focused is the backwoods of any Cameroonian concern. Aid from any entity trickles to nothing by the time you reach the edge of civilization. The last outpost is the town of Lomie where GeoAid resides thanks to our partnership with the rapidly downsizing GeoVic mining operation.

People of Lomie

I explained briefly why I am involved with GeoAid in my previous post, after this visit I am better able to evaluate our situation and advise our Board about the future strategic direction for GeoAid. That strategy, with respect to Cameroon, is focused on new corporate partnerships which is coming together just fine. Those partnerships will be about social responsibility for communities affected by their corporate activity, for which GeoAid is positioned as well as any NGO in Cameroon. But I have also been touched by the work that we have done in the Lomie area and realize that we need to maintain that base regardless of a local corporate connection. We have a connection to the people there and unfortunately they desperately need our support. There are some religious based missions and some Peace Corp type organizational present but none have resources of the caliber that GeoAid holds. So I leave Cameroon knowing that not only will I be advising GeoAid’s future but that I will be protecting GeoAid’s heritage. It is a great privilege to be allowed to “do good”.

Photos of visit to Lomie, Cameroon