CAMBCITEC Yaounde
Hi BeLinda,
Thanks for everything. We will make your visit as relaxing as possible.
1. In fact ALL mornings from 23rd July to 27th July we will take you to touristic sites around Yaounde
2. The workshops and TV presentations are in the evening.
3. Everyday from 12 pm to 5pm is lunch and rest rest
4. From 28th to 3rd August is travel out of Yaounde to Belo and other places.
We shall work out the details when you arrive on Friday
Regards
Martin
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Cameroon won't be a vacation, deux . . .
So not only do I have to conduct the workshops, but I'll be on a press junket! There will be four workshops on communications strategies on how to initiate, manage, and close a project. And I think I might be doing one on technical writing, although from the email that might be reserved for talking about it as a career.
I'm still not quite sure what I'll be doing with my other host, BEDERUP. I know I'll be meeting with villagers in the region and videotaping their ceremonial dances. I hope that's the extent of it. I have a feeling after the CITEC experience I'll be exhausted.
The next time I correspond with CITEC I am going to ask them whether I'll have SOME TIME for sightseeing, relaxing, and being a tourist :-)
Good luck to me. I better be feeling well, eh?!
I'm still not quite sure what I'll be doing with my other host, BEDERUP. I know I'll be meeting with villagers in the region and videotaping their ceremonial dances. I hope that's the extent of it. I have a feeling after the CITEC experience I'll be exhausted.
The next time I correspond with CITEC I am going to ask them whether I'll have SOME TIME for sightseeing, relaxing, and being a tourist :-)
Good luck to me. I better be feeling well, eh?!
Cameroon won't be a vacation . . .
Typical of my life, I won't be relaxing in Cameroon. These folks have plans for me. CITEC wants me to do a series of workshops on communication strategies in project management. I still haven't completed my power point slides! Plus, check out this email:
CAMBCITEC Yaounde
Jul 12
Hi BeLinda,
Good day.
Just to inform you that we intend
1. to invite not only students for your workshops but also people in responsible positions in the different Ministries and organizations. This will help us also to publicize the CENTRE. In fact the list has been compiled and should be sent out on Monday16 July 2007.
2. to use your slides to produce handouts to participants. This we can do on Saturday 21 July 2007 with the CENTRE facilities in preparation for Monday 23 July.I hope that the slides are in Power point format
3. to use your visit to the School to advertise and expose the SCHOOL. to the Cameroonian public. This we will do by requesting you to kindly accept to appear on some programs in our local RADIO and TELEVISION to talk about the workshops and CITEC. For instance there is a program "choosing your career" which can be very appropriate, and here you can talk about technical writing as a career.
I will contact the Radio and Television only after your
confirmation that the idea is acceptable.
Thanks for your usual understanding and see you on Friday next week
Martin.
CAMBCITEC Yaounde
Jul 12
Hi BeLinda,
Good day.
Just to inform you that we intend
1. to invite not only students for your workshops but also people in responsible positions in the different Ministries and organizations. This will help us also to publicize the CENTRE. In fact the list has been compiled and should be sent out on Monday16 July 2007.
2. to use your slides to produce handouts to participants. This we can do on Saturday 21 July 2007 with the CENTRE facilities in preparation for Monday 23 July.I hope that the slides are in Power point format
3. to use your visit to the School to advertise and expose the SCHOOL. to the Cameroonian public. This we will do by requesting you to kindly accept to appear on some programs in our local RADIO and TELEVISION to talk about the workshops and CITEC. For instance there is a program "choosing your career" which can be very appropriate, and here you can talk about technical writing as a career.
I will contact the Radio and Television only after your
confirmation that the idea is acceptable.
Thanks for your usual understanding and see you on Friday next week
Martin.
The time is almost here . . .
Well after six months of planning, I'll be in leaving for Cameroon Thursday! So much has been going on that I haven't been able to update the blog as often as I want. In addition to finishing up projects at my full-time job, I was teaching a summer school class at a local university. I've also inherited a potentially lucrative project from a friend AND I've been working on a slide presentation for CITEC--more about that in another blog post. And lastly, I've been challenged physically--but not to the extent that I'm reconsidering the trip. I'm going--even if they have to wheelchair me to the airport :-)
So here's a checklist of accomplishments:
**Visa
**Video camera and accessories. (My tripod doesn't match the camera but I can find a workaround)
**Safety due diligence (inquires/assurances about where I'll, how to stay safe, registration with the embassy)
**Safety items (concealed money containers, personal alarms, etc.)
**Packing (mostly done, need a few more personal items)
**Vaccinations (shots completed; will start taking malaria medicine two days before departure)
**Language (know a FEW essential French phrases)
**Personal appearance ( trip to the hair stylist and makeup purchases today)
**Meds
Houston, we're 98% clear for take off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So here's a checklist of accomplishments:
**Visa
**Video camera and accessories. (My tripod doesn't match the camera but I can find a workaround)
**Safety due diligence (inquires/assurances about where I'll, how to stay safe, registration with the embassy)
**Safety items (concealed money containers, personal alarms, etc.)
**Packing (mostly done, need a few more personal items)
**Vaccinations (shots completed; will start taking malaria medicine two days before departure)
**Language (know a FEW essential French phrases)
**Personal appearance ( trip to the hair stylist and makeup purchases today)
**Meds
Houston, we're 98% clear for take off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
No computers from my company for CITEC . . .
I won't mention the name of this well-known entertainment company, but they don't have the process setup to make the contribution. I find this extremely disappointing. But I will focus my efforts on finding other alternatives. Already asking people about it and have received some good suggestions. I'll find a way to get them equipment.
Africa lags behind in technology development. I'd like to help in my own small way to change that. I have a pan-African view. I believe African-Americans could make better progress if we had a stronger, viable motherland. Things are not going well for us now, especially in this era of right-wing dominance. It seem hopeless. But we can't give up hope. We all must do what we can in our own small or large way. My work in Africa is my ripple in the pond . . .
Africa lags behind in technology development. I'd like to help in my own small way to change that. I have a pan-African view. I believe African-Americans could make better progress if we had a stronger, viable motherland. Things are not going well for us now, especially in this era of right-wing dominance. It seem hopeless. But we can't give up hope. We all must do what we can in our own small or large way. My work in Africa is my ripple in the pond . . .
Remaining tasks
Now I need to shop for luggage and clothes. I don't plan on spending too much money on clothes. (I've spent quite a bit already!!!) I just want to buy light comfortable outfits. Living in San Francisco doesn't require lite weight clothes. It's always chilly here! I abandoned summer clothes when I left Atlanta.
A couple of my friend suggest I buy a 'giant' backpack for travel. I've seen them. I think it's a good idea, but I have to make sure it doesn't hurt my back carrying it around. I might have to take two bags anyway because I have a feeling I'll be bringing back lots of souvenirs. But I guess I could go there with one bag and buy any additional bags while I'm there. Yeah, that makes better sense.
A couple of my friend suggest I buy a 'giant' backpack for travel. I've seen them. I think it's a good idea, but I have to make sure it doesn't hurt my back carrying it around. I might have to take two bags anyway because I have a feeling I'll be bringing back lots of souvenirs. But I guess I could go there with one bag and buy any additional bags while I'm there. Yeah, that makes better sense.
The countdown begins!!!
Wow, I've been writing about this project for almost six months and now I'm DAYS away from my departure.
I've taken all my vaccinations and submitted the paperwork for my visa. I should be picking the visa up this week or next week for sure.
I picked up all my meds for the trip--hopefully I won't have to use them!
I've been shooting B-roll footage with the camera. It's a safe way to learn how to operate the camera. I still can shoot some good shots! Just need to get an extra battery and a hard carrying case.
I talked with my contact at BERUDEP. He said the villagers are anxious to appear in the documentary. They plan to put on a performance. How thrilling. I have to make sure I get it all recorded. Also he wants me to document the plight of the people from the burnt out village. I hope I can get someone to see it and generate interest to help them.
I've been having interesting conversations with CITEC. The Director wants me to present four workshops with each being two hours long. What a challenge, but I'm willing to meet it. The topics mainly focus on project management. I feel more comfortable with writing, since those are the classes I teach. But project management is an intricate part of generating technical documentation so I'll design my presentation from that unique perspective.
My father surprised me by expressing serious concerns about my trip. He's concerned about my safety as a woman traveling alone. I admit I understand his concern and it did affect me. There was a moment I ALMOST changed my mind. But I talked with my contacts and expressed how I was feeling. The more I questioned them, the better I felt. I also took the normal precautions--registered with the embassy and bought self-defense products such as personal alarms. I've also asked my brother to call and check things out.
I listen to my French tape EVERY night. I won't be able to speak French fluently by any stretch of the imagination, but I will recognize and be able to say the few French phrases on the tape :-)
I've taken all my vaccinations and submitted the paperwork for my visa. I should be picking the visa up this week or next week for sure.
I picked up all my meds for the trip--hopefully I won't have to use them!
I've been shooting B-roll footage with the camera. It's a safe way to learn how to operate the camera. I still can shoot some good shots! Just need to get an extra battery and a hard carrying case.
I talked with my contact at BERUDEP. He said the villagers are anxious to appear in the documentary. They plan to put on a performance. How thrilling. I have to make sure I get it all recorded. Also he wants me to document the plight of the people from the burnt out village. I hope I can get someone to see it and generate interest to help them.
I've been having interesting conversations with CITEC. The Director wants me to present four workshops with each being two hours long. What a challenge, but I'm willing to meet it. The topics mainly focus on project management. I feel more comfortable with writing, since those are the classes I teach. But project management is an intricate part of generating technical documentation so I'll design my presentation from that unique perspective.
My father surprised me by expressing serious concerns about my trip. He's concerned about my safety as a woman traveling alone. I admit I understand his concern and it did affect me. There was a moment I ALMOST changed my mind. But I talked with my contacts and expressed how I was feeling. The more I questioned them, the better I felt. I also took the normal precautions--registered with the embassy and bought self-defense products such as personal alarms. I've also asked my brother to call and check things out.
I listen to my French tape EVERY night. I won't be able to speak French fluently by any stretch of the imagination, but I will recognize and be able to say the few French phrases on the tape :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
