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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
3 Jan 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
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Details
Description
I am Sandrine, married, and mother.
Coming from western Cameroon I grew up in a francophone area but as Cameroon is a bilingual country I like talking in English whenever I can.
My favourite activity is engaging in humanitarian aid. That's why I created the organization in 2009. Our mission is improving the lives of the mentally ill people in Cameroon, and supporting their families and carers.
The vision is to create a network for people in need. We connect them with therapists and pharmacists.
We work on:
- Fighting stigma and isolation, suffered by many mentally-ill Cameroonians, especially in rural zones.
- Promoting positive attitudes about mental health.
- Organising seminars in collaboration with mental health professionals.
- Helping families of the patient with living together and improving the patient's life.
- Explaining the patient's rights - many are rejected, abused, and treated inhumanely. Some are separated from their children.
- Driving local research on mental diseases (mid-term)
- Empower psychology students to work as local therapists (mid-term)
- Integration through discussion groups between patients, healed people and families (mid-term)Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity WorkLanguage practiceHelp with Eco ProjectsTeachingBabysitting and creative playCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceHelp with Computers/ InternetUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will really experience the Cameroonian culture by living together with me and my family in Yaoundé and take part in our everyday life. Learn to cook our meals, speak our mother tongue etc.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
It can use all the help available. We want to give you a meaningful experience and allow you to help us with what you find most enjoyable.
We can therefore discuss any activities together.
We surely look for people that can help us with:
- Setting up the Mobile Caravan Event in October 2023.
- Setting up campaigns to raise mental health awareness.
- Building collaborations with local Universities to drive research.
- Field research to map the needs and difficulties of patients and their families. We will visit patients in their homes.
- Setting up an emergency helpline for mentally ill people.
- Organising seminars on mental health.
- Helping to write grant applications.
- Extending our website and the national website on mental health we built.
We also look for clinical psychologists or psychiatrists - especially those willing to come and provide consultation on the ground in Cameroon.
Please ask for more details about our projects or look on our website. We would be happy to answer further questions or hear your ideas on how we can achieve our mission more effectively.Languages
Languages spoken
French: Fluent
English: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
Interested in learning English and I can teach FrenchAccommodation
We can host female volunteers but males need to find their own accommodation in Yaoundé. We can of course support finding something suitable.
Accommodation
The workawayer will sleep in a double bed (top bunk with mosquito net provided) in a room shared with my three children. Toilet and sanitary facilities are inside the house. Remember, this is Africa, so you may not have the luxuries of your home country. There is usually running water, but we do experience occasional days of running water cuts (but they don't last long, sometimes less than 24 hours) and you will learn how to clean yourself with a bucket of water and soap (it's not difficult). Also, clothes and sheets are washed by hand.
Food.
The workawayer will have meals with the family. Simple dishes are prepared including sweet potato, beans, peanut soup, rice, fried or boiled ripe plantain, corn porridge, cassava, cassava stick, some vegetables and sometimes fish or meat etc. If you want special meals, you can buy your own food and prepare it. It is inexpensive compared to Europe and US prices. We can definitely accommodate vegetarians and vegans!
During the workdays, lunches are delivered by a lovely catering lady.
Water.
Tap water is used for laundry and cooking. We usually drink filtered water in the house, but you may also easily buy your own bottled water to avoid any risk.
Security.
The house is surrounded by a metal gate for security, and the district we live in is safe and walkable. I usually accompany my workawayers wherever they need to go (bank, post office, etc.), as it can be difficult for foreigners to navigate the taxi system alone.
Electricity.
Power cuts sometimes happen, but it soon returns to normal. So no worries here.
Internet.
We have WiFi but with limited access. It is recommended that workawayers buy a Cameroonian SIM card with an Internet package. There are several different providers of SIM cards with internet and minute plans, but CAMTEL, MTN and ORANGE are the most common.
For computers, you can use your laptop at my workplace which also has limited WiFi access (1G per day), but there will not always be WiFi at the house.
NB: Cameroon is mainly a cash economy. If you do want to buy your own items here (including sim cards/phone credit/clothing/food), it is important to have an ATM card that will work here so you can withdraw some money!What else ...
You will be at the forefront of improving lives of the mentally-ill Cameroonians. You will have a direct impact on the work of our organisation. You will see the impact of your work on a daily basis.
You will experience a socio-cultural integration in a multi-ethnic environment and take part in the daily life of an ordinary Cameroonian citizen. You will discover our traditional recipes, music, dances etc. and by also sharing yours we will make your stay an experience of intercultural exchange.
I am open-minded, dynamic, always joyfull and very curious to get in touch with you.
Thank you!A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
we will plan it with the volunteer (max 25 hours)
Feedback (8)
in this time we worked for a campaign for educate about mental health and in a Fundraising campaign. The work she is doing is very important in cameroon and i wish her the best for the future. I'm also very thankful for… read more
If you're looking for a project where you can quickly make an impact whilst immersing yourself in the culture and the familiar and professional environment of your host - look no further! Supporting Sandrine and her NGO whilst staying in her family… read more
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Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.7)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
in this time we worked for a campaign for educate about mental health and in a Fundraising campaign. The work she is doing is very important in cameroon and i wish her the best for the future. I'm also very thankful for… read more
If you're looking for a project where you can quickly make an impact whilst immersing yourself in the culture and the familiar and professional environment of your host - look no further! Supporting Sandrine and her NGO whilst staying in her family… read more
Since the I was only available for part-time because I also had to work for my own agency, I stayed in a hotel after… read more
J’admire beaucoup Sandrine et son initiative pour sensibiliser sur la cause de la maladie mentale au Cameroun. C’est une femme joyeuse, sincère, forte et ouverte d’esprit. En plus de sa famille et de son travaille, elle investit son énergie au service d’un projet qui… read more
She took a day off work to help me organise my… read more
This workaway was exactly what I was looking for: Intense, really meaningful and the closest you can get to really experience the Cameroonian culture. You live together with Sandrine's family in Yaoundé and take part in Sandrine's everyday life.
If you would like to contribute to improving the world a tiny bit, working for the… read more