Hey family and friends,

I’m glad that you took the time to visit my blog. All of you probably have a good idea about why I’ll be in Cameroon this summer but it won’t hurt to share it again. Myself and two other students, Emily and Ben, will be in Cameroon for five weeks to work alongside a local non-profit, African Roots, to implement a fruit tree business for a community of widowed women. This business will give the women an opportunity to generate their own income, something they have never been able to do. African Roots purchased this plot of land so that these women can have the chance to make money by selling fruit. This business will also provide healthier food options for their children. The women will also learn basic business skills to maintain their business and they will be able to use these skills to compete with other businesses.

I’m a little apprehensive about this trip because I have never been to a developing country, even more so this will be only the second time I leave the country! So there’s no doubt I’m scared to leave my comfortable and secure life here for an uncertain and foreign one elsewhere. Of course it won’t be an easy transformation and there will definitely be some culture shock, but I’m ready for it. Ever since I’ve joined Nourish International almost three years ago I knew that one day I would be a volunteer on one of our summer projects. Despite the baby butterflies I have in my stomach I know that I’m making the right decision. I cannot wait to share the rest of my journey with you all. I hope that you will join me. Expect at least one blog post per week.

Farewell for now,

Christina

Hello Friends and Family,

This is the blog for my upcoming trip to Cameroon. It is intended to be my connection to anyone who is interested in the work I am doing this summer.  It’s hard to believe this Tuesday I will board a flight that will mark the beginning of this adventure. Along the way I will be updating this page with pictures and thoughts from the journey.

I’ll meet fellow volunteers Christina and Emily from the UT-Austin chapter in Washington D.C. before we fly together to Douala. I will be representing the UF chapter of Nourish International for my chapter’s first project, Fruit Tree Cultivation.  We will be travelling to the Boyo Division in the Northwest Province of Cameroon. Our team will work with Godwin from African Roots to plant 5,000 fruit trees in a community nursery and teach business skills to a group of local women.

The fruit trees are meant to provide income for women who otherwise lack access to jobs. Selling the fruit produced from the nursery provides a source of income and valuable nutrition all while reforesting the region.  Sustainable income generation is a key part of improving life for these women and I feel extremely fortunate to be joining the project.  The trip is just under 40 days long but I expect it will be one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my life.  My duffel bag is stuffed, I’ve had more immunizations than I thought humanly possible, and yet it’s hard to feel truly ready.  This isn’t a vacation and it may be a challenge but I can’t wait to get to work- Ben