Welcome to the top spot for info on Peace Corps Cameroon! If volunteering in Cameroon interests you, you came to the right website. We’ll fill you in on Peace Corps’ past in Cameroon. We’ll also give details about Cameroon as a country. You can find out the languages spoken there. You can also check out stories from other volunteers. Here you can get info about safety and health. We’ll also provide ways to reach out to former Peace Corps volunteers in Cameroon. Get set to learn more to help choose if Cameroon is a good fit for you!
Volunteers in Cameroon work in Agriculture, Education, and Health (leave in June).
Table of Contents
- 1. Peace Corps in Cameroon
- 2. About Cameroon
- 3. Safety and Health for Volunteers
- 4. Volunteer Experiences
- 5. Resources and Connections
1. Peace Corps in Cameroon
Focus Areas:
- Agriculture: Peace Corps Volunteers help the government support small farmers and school youth in learning sustainable farming practices. The project’s goal is to improve food, nutrition, and income security for rural families. Volunteers work with farmers and youth to boost agricultural production, income, and nutrition. They are placed in farmers’ organizations in villages or small towns with populations of 500 to 3,000 people and also work with local schools to promote school gardening.
- Education: Peace Corps Volunteers teach English, Math, and Science in secondary schools, helping students develop skills for academic and career success. They collaborate with local teachers to improve teaching methods, focusing on classroom management, engagement, gender equality, and STEM techniques. Volunteers also work with communities to increase involvement in student learning and school improvement.
- Health:
Community Health Volunteers help rural communities improve health, focusing on women and children under five. The project aims to prevent child and maternal deaths and create an AIDS-free generation. Volunteers educate women on healthy pregnancy, delivery, and newborn care, teach caregivers to keep children healthy, prevent new HIV infections in youth, and support people affected by HIV/AIDS, including orphans, to improve their well-being and resilience.
2. About Cameroon
Cameroon is a country in Central Africa that used to be a German colony called Kamerun. After World War I, it was divided between France and the UK. French Cameroon became independent in 1960, and the next year, part of British Cameroon joined it to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. Later, it became a unitary state called the United Republic of Cameroon. The country has been mostly stable, which has helped it grow its farming, build roads and railways, and develop a petroleum industry. However, there has been unrest and violence in some of the English-speaking areas since 2016, and the current president, Paul BIYA, has been in power for a long time.
Geography: Cameroon is located in Central Africa, next to the Bight of Biafra, and is about the size of California. It has a diverse landscape, with a coastal plain, a plateau, mountains, and plains. The highest point is Mount Cameroon, which is a volcano. The country shares borders with six other countries: Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Nigeria. There are also several bodies of water, including Lake Chad. Cameroon is sometimes called the “hinge of Africa” because of its location.
People and Society: There are over 30 million people in Cameroon, with slightly more females than males. The population is concentrated in the west and north, and the interior is sparsely populated. There are many different ethnic groups, including Bamileke-Bamu, Biu-Mandara, and Arab-Choa/Hausa/Kanuri. Many young people live in Cameroon, with over 60% of the population under 25. The country is also home to many refugees from neighboring countries. Unfortunately, poverty is on the rise, especially in rural areas.
Environment: Cameroon has a variety of environments, from tropical on the coast to semiarid in the north. There are many environmental challenges, including waterborne diseases, deforestation, and overgrazing which lead to erosion. The country also faces issues with poaching, overfishing, and overhunting. Additionally, there are active volcanoes and lakes that release poisonous gases. The country has signed international agreements to protect the environment.
Government: The official name of Cameroon is the Republic of Cameroon. It is led by a president, Paul BIYA, who has been in power since 1982. There is also a prime minister, Joseph NGUTE. The country has a National Assembly and a Senate. The legal system combines English common law, French civil law, and customary law. The constitution has been amended, but some parts, like the unity of Cameroon, cannot be changed.
Economy: Cameroon has the largest economy in its region. The economy relies on agriculture, industry, and services. The country produces petroleum, aluminum, and food products. Many people are employed, but there is also a small percentage of unemployment. Cameroon imports more than it exports. The country also has an external debt of over $9 billion.
Language: Cameroon has 24 major African language groups. The official languages are English and French. The country’s national anthem has both French and English versions.
During their service in Cameroon, volunteers learn to speak local languages, including French and Fulfuldé.
3. Safety and Health for Volunteers
How safe is it serve in Cameroon?
In general, 100% of volunteers felt safe or very safe where they lived in Cameroon. And 100% felt safe or very safe where they worked. But more detailed information about safety compared to other Peace Corps countries can be found in the Cameroon Country Crime Profile.
What are some of the health concerns in Cameroon?
The most commonly reported health conditions included:
- Infectious gastroenteritis
- Behavioral health issues
- Respiratory conditions/ENT
- Gynecological conditions
Health problems also can result from local environmental factors, such as dust, humidity, insects, and disease-producing microorganisms.
Because malaria is endemic in Cameroon, Volunteers are required to take anti-malarial medication.
Volunteers will be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, meningitis A and C, tetanus/diphtheria, typhoid, and rabies. But more detailed information about health related issues at Peace Corps Cameroon can be found in the Cameroon Health and Medical Care Summary.
4. Volunteer Experiences
What do volunteers think of serving in Cameroon?
Since 1975, the Annual Volunteer Survey has been a source of information on the state of the Peace Corps (PC) program for the agency, Congress, researchers, the media, and the general public. In 2019, 86% of volunteers found their overall Peace Corps service rewarding or very rewarding. 81% of volunteers would still make the same decision to serve with the Peace Corps today. 80% of volunteers would recommend Peace Corps service to others. More information can be found in the Cameroon Annual Volunteer Survey Satisfaction Results.
Where can I learn more about PC Cameroon volunteer experiences?
PCV blogs and YouTube channels offer a unique look into the daily life of volunteers serving in Cameroon. These blogs and channels can help you understand the challenges and triumphs that come with being a volunteer. Explore these links for inspiring stories and practical advice from current and past volunteers.
- Jack (Health) 2017-20
- Alex (ED) 2016-17
- Phoebe (Health) 2015-18
- Rachel (Health) 2014-16
- Sarah (AG) 2013-15
If you’re interested in learning more about serving in Cameroon, I’ve got you covered! Click here to see all of my posts about Peace Corps Cameroon with details on the experience, culture, food, packing tips, and more.
5. Resources and Connections
How can I connect with Returned PCVs who served in Cameroon?
Where can I find official information about Peace Corps Cameroon?
- PeaceCorps.gov/Cameroon
- Projects in Cameroon
- Stories from Cameroon
- Living Conditions
- Navigating Identities
- Packing Guidance
This is an old PC publication called “The Peace Corps Welcomes You to Cameroon“, published in 2015. In the past, before the internet, this is how volunteers learned more about Cameroon. Even though it is many years old, there is still a lot of good information there. You can download it here but remember it is just for informational purposes. For up-to-date information, always check with you Peace Corps contacts and staff.
This blog post provided insights to help determine if serving in Cameroon is right for you. You got info on Cameroon’s culture, languages, and growth. We also covered safety tips and health facts for volunteers. Plus, we explained how to connect with former Peace Corps peeps. We hope this post was helpful for getting details on Peace Corps Cameroon!
The content of this post does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or the Cameroon Government.
photo credits: all photos from the Peace Corps Media Library
