Upon her arrival in Cameroon, Miss Louisa Well knew at the back of her mind that she was going to learn so many new and interesting things, but little did she envisage that she will be transformed into a real Cameroonian woman in less than no time.
Before her arrival, a project known as Operation Louisa, aimed at transforming her into a Cameroonian woman had already been put in place. Having spent two months in Cameroon already, she is making remarkable progress with her Pidgin English. Her favorite quote still remains “Fine man Na Fine man”, a popular adage in Cameroon which means, “a handsome man is a indeed handsome”. The blonde German beauty born and Christian, Louisa Well was recently christened with the beautiful Cameroonian name of Dione from the South West region symbolic of Love. This name was chosen to completely integrate her into her host family who are natives of the Bakossi tribe.
As a real and proud Cameroonian, it has become common knowledge to every one at the office to hear Dione saying “ I di go chop Ndole”, which implies “I am going to eat Ndole”. This is a delicacy that she fancies every lunch break. It is so mesmerizing for some onlookers who cannot help but stare dumb founded when ever Dione and her colleagues walk past them chatting loudly in pidgin.
Readers, if you find this astounding, wait till you see Dione eating sugarcane or dancing Afro beats. She loves great African music such as “Chop my money” by P square, “Cool temper” by J martins and she loves Asa’s “Jailer “and “Eye Adaba”. The young lady is simply having so much fun than most Cameroonians of contemporary times. She has been given names such as “ enjoyment minister”, “ javeur” etc to describe her adventures in Cameroon. She is just so much fun to be with and we are so happy and proud of the grace, charm, love and beauty with which she has received our culture. She was born Louisa Well, many call her Louisa but if you ask her name she will tell you “Ma Name na Dione” i.e. “My name is Dione”.
VOLUNTEER PROJECTS
The year 2011 can be described as a “landmark year” for OGCEYOD Cameroon. The organization has made great strides in engaging in a web of activities directed towards improving local communities.
The year began with an international volunteer from Germany Paula Menzel, who spent a year in Cameroon working with the organization on two different projects. The “Read beyond Border”- and “Be in Between ”- Projects. These are projects geared towards encouraging students to read outside their syllabus through creating reading clubs in secondary schools around the Limbe municipality and a magazine for students and with students titled “In Between”. This was done in partnership with OGCEYOD’s partner organization, ASYOUSED.
After spending a year in Cameroon, the members of OGCEYOD Cameroon bid her farewell as they welcomed the new volunteer Louisa Well who is very committed to continue with the project as schools reopened this September 2011.
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