Below is some practical information about life in the villages and towns where we host volunteers (Nyasoso, Kumba, Mbonge, Manyemen, Nguti, etc). If you have any questions that are not answered on this page, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Climate and Landscape
There are plenty of good opportunities for walking and trekking in the beautiful local areas around the villages and town. The dry season starts in October/November and ends in March/April. During dry season, the temperature is between 28ºC and 35ºC during the day and 24ºC – 30ºC at night. The rainy season covers the rest of the year, with heavy rains in July and August. At this time, temperatures ranges between 25ºC and 30ºC. However, much cooler temperatures are experienced during this same period in the mountainous areas of Kupe Manenguba, Nyasoso and beyond.
Accommodation
You will be staying in a rented volunteer house with 3 guest rooms at a cost of about 54 Euros per month. There are also single rooms in family homes. Depending on the number of volunteers that may be available.
Volunteer investment cost:
This cost is the donation that volunteers can contribute to AJESH Cameroon. This contribution is used by AJESH for the implementation of projects, day to day running of the organization, promotion of social works and emergencies. There is transparency in the management of funds within the organisation, so feel free to request for explanations on the use of such contributions whenever you deem necessary.
Please note that Volunteer investment cost are optional.
Pick up at the Airport
AJESH can pick you up from Douala airport and take you to any of the selected sites of work. From our experience, traveling by bus (Public Transport) from Douala to the Kumba is time consuming, grossly uncomfortable and not very safe, usually taking between 3 t0 5 hours. As you will appreciate, AJESH has very limited resources, so we request you pay for the pick up before you arrive Cameroon. The total fee is 100 Euros, which includes the costs of hiring and fueling a car, food and drinking water during the trip. Depending on your arrival time, there might be a need to spend a night in Douala. In such a case, an extra cost of at least 61 Euros for Hotel (for both you and the person picking you up) will be included to the cost.
Communication Facilities
If you have an unlocked phone it is possible to just buy a local SIM card and insert it into your own phone. Top up credit can be bought from call shops/box. Texting home is relatively reasonable but calling is sometimes expensive. There are cheap phones available to buy. Internet is available in a couple of internet cafes but it can be slow and frustrating sometimes.
Money
It is possible to withdraw money using an international Visa card in Kumba. Please note that MasterCards are NOT accepted. Please don’t bring traveller’s cheques, as these are impossible to change here. Euros, dollars and pounds can be easily exchanged but bring them in bigger notes. If you are staying for a long time, it may also be possible for you to open an account with a standard commercial bank in any of the neighboring towns.
Security
All volunteers will be taken to the Divisional Officer and the Gendarmerie and Police, who will ensure your safety for the duration of your stay. AJESH also has a Legal adviser who handles incidences requiring such intervention.
Medical Provision
Should volunteers need to see a doctor during their stay, there are available medical facilities for such services. Please bring ALL prescription, medications needed for the duration of your stay. You may also wish to bring basic medical supplies (first aid kit etc.) with you.
Suggested things to bring: – Sturdy walking shoes – Sandals – Comfortable and loose clothing – Warm clothing for cool nights – Umbrella, raincoat and rainboots – Mosquito repellent-Extra bed sheets, mosquitoes net – Camera and torch.
Cameroon Visa
Contact the Cameroonian embassy in your home country for obtaining a visa to travel to Cameroon. For the US and UK, please check here: US Citizen: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui UK Citizens: https://www.locate.fco.gov.uk/locateportal
Visa Issue to People who do not have a Cameroon Embassy
We would like to advise all those that are coming into Cameroon that it will not be good to leave your home country without a visa with the hope that you will have it in any Cameroon airports. You will most likely be denied entry. If you do not have a Cameroonian Embassy in your country, you will need your contacts at AJESH in Cameroon to prepare an application for the Director General of National security in Yaounde which will take about a month. They may decide to give you a visa or not. You will need to send in your scanned passport. Volunteers / interns are responsible for the associated costs. The other alternative is that volunteers from countries without a Cameroon embassy could cross over their borders to a close by country that has Cameroon embassy to apply for a visa.
Health Insurance
We do not insure volunteers as we do not have liability insurance. Our association with trained medical personnel working in the large Government and Mission Hospitals, where some Americans work as missionaries, will aid us in cases of emergency. We encourage volunteers to obtain their own insurance before they book a flight. Here are some websites where you can get more information: WHO and CDC. If you have any disability or illness please contact us so that we can advise you on what to do before you book your flights.
Training Opportunities with AJESH
As AJESH thrives on exchanging knowledge, we would be more delighted to train you in any local skill you so desire. There is also the possibility for you to develop projects from our broad objectives, and to be the founder of that particular project within AJESH constituting your think thank. Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to seeing you soon amongst us.
Harrison Nnoko Ngaaje, CEO – AJESH
