Description
LOCATION
Belo, Cameroon
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS
4 - 6 persons
MENTOR
François Struzik
FOCUS AREAS
Children & Youth, Education, Ecotourism, Environmental Protection, Women Development
DATES
Postponed
COST PER PARTICIPANT
AUD 1,699
(≈ USD 1,332)
Mentorship Program to Cameroon
The NGO Photographers Alliance will be holding a Mentorship program with partner organisation Rural Development Center (RUDEC) Cameroon, a NGO supporting the rural community of Belo, Cameroon. In 2001, RUDEC was conceptualized focusing on the need to alleviate the suffering of children in rural communities; in assisting and empowering women whose rights were being violated; and in developing ecotourism projects as a way to address environmental concerns. RUDEC works to identify opportunities, locate resources and establish appropriate partnerships to provide solutions to local communities. With the realisation that local people understood their communities best and success is greatest when they are empowered, RUDEC operates an 'intake process' whereby communities identify local needs and consult RUDEC on solutions and strategies for addressing such needs. In 2010, RUDEC Germany was established as a recognised non profit operating as a satellite organisation to support the groundwork of RUDEC Cameroon as partners in development.
WHAT DOES THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM ENTAIL?
This Mentorship program is an intensive 8 day program combining photography workshops, private 1 on 1 mentor feedback sessions, participation in NGO-related activities in conjunction with RUDEC Cameroon as well as an guided hike to the Mbingo cliffs in the Boyo region. Each program only caters to a small number of participants, thus enabling participants to engage more closely with the mentor as well as members of the NGO and the local community. Participants embarking on this Mentorship Program will visit the office of RUDEC Cameroon in Belo and assist in NGO-related activities as well as engage NGO staff in photography and videography activities. At the conclusion of the program, participants have the opportunity to continue travelling in Douala or in other cities in Cameroon.
FUNDING FROM EACH MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
How we support our interconnected programs
Sponsorship Program
15% of the funds raised from each Mentorship program goes towards our Sponsorship program, which supports our core objective of combating preventable blindness worldwide.One Camera for Every Child
10% of the funds raised from each Mentorship program goes into our "One Camera for Every Child" initiative which aims to provide secondhand cameras for our partner NGOs to use in their youth programming.Mentorship Program
40% of the funds raised from each Mentorship program goes towards sourcing Mentorship requirements (mentor, accommodation, logistics, travel, insurance.)Administration
35% of the funding raised from each Mentorship program goes towards administration and supporting NGO Photographers Alliance members.What does the cost include?
The cost for the Mentorship program includes accommodation for the length of the program as well as a complete itinerary comprising of a combination of photography workshops, private 1 on 1 feedback sessions with your mentor, activities carried out in conjunction with the NGO as well as the support and guidance of an experienced photography mentor who will be on hand for the full length of the program. During the days in which participants are involved in NGO activities, participants will be hosted in a rented modern house in the center of Belo within walking distance of shops, cafés and the office. Electricity and running cold water are available (though please note that supply for both can be erratic) and the services of a cook who will provide 3 meals a day is also included in the cost. On the day that the hike to the Mbingo cliffs take place, the services of a local tour guide is also included.
The cost of the Mentorship program do not include costs for airfare, visas (if required), transport between the airport and hotel, travel and health insurance, personal expenses and spending money, police certificate, tips for the mentor or guides, and/or any other non-itinerary related item. Please note that access to the internet is not provided by RUDEC Cameroon though it is possible to purchase data (as is the norm with the locals.) The network is usually quite good but may be unpredictable at times.
At the completion of the Mentorship program, participants should have sufficient material to begin putting together a portfolio of NGO-related photography. In addition, participants may be invited to feature their work in the pages of our affiliated humanitarian publication The Travellist magazine.
When travelling in an African country, it is important to keep an open mind and allow yourself to enjoy the experience and not become frustrated simply because things may be done in a way that is different to what you are used to. Amenities that you may be used to back home may not necessarily be available. Respect the local way of life. Go with an open and understanding attitude. And above all, be patient.
ITINERARY
Please note that this may be subject to changes as required by the needs and criteria of the partner NGO and thus should only be used as a guide. In addition, please note a police certificate is recommended when working with NGOs; a police certificate can be obtained from your local police agency and is worthwhile in obtaining should you plan on working in the NGO field.
Monday Day 1, 2018
Participants arrive in Douala International Airport and make their own way to the hotel in Douala for an overnight stay. Douala is the largest city in Cameroon and considered the economic and commercial center of Cameroon - indeed, of the whole region. It is one of the most developed and expensive cities in Africa with advanced infrastructure and a booming population.
The Mentor will be present at the hotel to greet participants.
A group dinner in the evening for participants to introduce themselves and get to know one another.
Briefing to be given by the Mentor.
Tuesday Day 2, 2018
Participants will travel with the Mentor via public bus to the town of Belo where RUDEC Cameroon is located. The journey takes roughly a day and will require an early morning departure from the hotel to the bus station. From there, it is a 7 hour journey to Bamendo before a change to Belo, which is another hour's journey via shared taxis. Bus journeys in Africa are often quite an experience and especially so in Cameroon, where the scenery changes from the humid, low-lying south towards the Northwest which is mountainous and therefore cooler. Participants will arrive early at the bus station to purchase tickets after which it may take a few hours before the bus leaves, as buses leave when they are full and not according to a timetable. Participants can use this time to purchase snacks or drinks and observe the daily life in Cameroon.
Wednesday Day 3, 2018
Morning
Meet and greet with Joshua Chiamba, the Director of RUDEC Cameroon. In Belo, visitors also need to be introduced to the local police and the District Officer so they are aware of their presence in the area. This is a just formality and Joshua will undertake the task to take the group to meet the relevant authorities.
Afternoon
Individual 1-on-1 portfolio session with the Mentor discussing participant's current body of work as well as participant's expectations and goals.
Evening
Free time. Participants may choose to rest or venture out around Belo. Belo is a small, safe town with genuinely friendly inhabitants, but it is advisable to always carry a torch in the evenings and to move together as a group.
Thursday Day 4, 2018
Morning
Photography workshop for the participants with the Mentor.
Afternoon
Activity with RUDEC Cameroon. Joshua runs numerous projects including education for orphans, health education, micro-enterprise projects for women, beehive project, piggery and fishpond project among other community projects. RUDEC Cameroon emphasizes on the utilisation of individual skills to identify and support community needs. Participants are therefore encouraged to explore ways in which they are able to use their skills and abilities to support the NGO especially where there is an opportunity to pass a new skill to community members. Capacity-building is much more preferable in helping a community as opposed to simply providing "handouts" as this tends to continue the cycle of dependency.
Evening
Free time. Participants may choose to work on their portfolio or visit the town.
Friday Day 5, 2018
Morning
Photography workshop for the participants with the Mentor.
Afternoon
Videography activity with RUDEC Cameroon. Joshua has expressed a need for video editing training and the videography activity will thus encompass interviewing staff and community members as well as teaching basic video editing for both participants and NGO staff.
Evening
Free time. Participants may choose to work on their portfolio or visit the town.
Saturday Day 6, 2018
Morning
Photography workshop for the participants with the Mentor.
Afternoon
Photography visual series. The afternoon session will be used to take photography focusing on a theme or subject that depict an aspect of RUDEC Cameroon initiatives. The series should be easy to capture, visually powerful and contain a narrative to evoke a sense of emotion.
Evening
Free time. Participants may choose to work on their portfolio or visit the town.
Sunday Day 7, 2018
Morning / Afternoon
Day of exploration with a cliff top trek over the Mbingo cliffs. Hike out to the top and over the ranges of the Mbingo cliffs for stunning views over the entire Boyo region, including a birds eye view of outlying villages from atop the tallest cliff. Stopover for a picnic, photography opportunities and a possible swim in one of the nearby waterfalls.
Evening
Final individual one-on-one feedback session with Mentor covering the work carried out over the course of the program.
Monday Day 8, 2018
Morning / Afternoon
Farewell with Joshua and the staff of RUDEC Cameroon. Early morning journey back to Douala.
Check into hotel.
Evening
Final group dinner together. Debriefing by the Mentor.
Participants to fly out or continue independent travelling in Douala or in other regions of Cameroon the following day.
Additional Information
All participants to the Mentorship program must read and agree to the Mentorship Terms & Conditions before participating in the program.
Please note that all costs are in AUD (Australian Dollars) unless stated otherwise. Our recommended payment method is via Transferwise as this enables you to pay in your own currency using the mid-market rate, which is the real exchange rate and is significantly higher than those used by banks and/or by your credit and debit card providers. Please proceed to the Shopping Cart page for more information about this payment method (found under direct bank transfer option.)
A deposit equal to 25% of the program cost is required to secure your place on the Mentorship program. The full costs must be paid prior to 4 weeks before the commencement of the program; failure to do so will result in the forfeiture of your deposit. Should a program be unable to progress for any reason, you will be notified at the earliest possible date and your deposit (or full payment) will be returned to you in full.
To reserve your place on the program, please access the deposit page here.
If you have any questions in regards to the Mentorship program, we welcome your inquiries. Please use the contact form below to reach us and we will endeavour to return your inquiry as soon as possible.
