The last week........

The rest of the week is taken up with completing the report, tying up loose ends, saying goodbyes and packing!. On Wednesday I make another trip to Jakiri with Ibrahim, Hector and Shamsul to look at the possibility of creating a partnership there. Friday is International Volunteers' Day, and we attend before Ibrahim drives us back to Yaounde in the afternoon. Saturday we fly home overnight, and I am writing these last few paragraphs back home in Cardiff.

It's all too much at the moment to write final thoughts - so many different words and pictures are in my mind. Suffice it to say that it was both easier than I thought and more difficult than I thought - I was lucky in that I met some special people, both Cameroonians and in VSO - I worked hard and didn't get much time off; didn't get a chance to travel and see much of the country - didn't get to see any giraffes either!

I am happy to be back and looking forward to seeing everyone; but I have to answer the question that everyone has been asking me so far... was it worth it and would you do it again? - Well the answer is - like a shot!!

Day 49: Monday 1st December 2008

Today we take a trip to visit Awing; the home village of both the Mayor of Santa and Vincent, Tom's friend, and the Mayor's driver, who has arranged to drive us there to visit the Fon (local traditional chief) in his palace, and also to visit Lake Awing, one of the larger of the volcanic lakes in the North-West Province.

The Fon has been called to the capital Yaounde, but we are shown around the palace, greeted with palm wine and introduced to some of the other residents. Lake Awing is spectacular, and the day is a pleasant break from report-writing and attending meetings!