Riders Against Drunk Driving Program

After a long wait, I have finally unveiled my latest project—one that combats drunk driving amongst motorcycle riders. I have wanted to work with the drivers, or “okada men,” since I arrived, but, as usual, faced several setbacks along the way. The okada men are a very important group to work with because they are considered an at-risk population. As young men with a certain amount of income and a means of travel, they are more likely to engage in risky behaviors. They are often known in communities as big drinkers and players. Often they have not completed school, but are still young and are open to information. They also interact with many people every day, and can serve as a source of education to others.

They are also responsible for nearly all transport in and out of town, and carry many people every day. Despite this fact, they have a strong penchant for drinking. Often while still on the job. It is not uncommon to see a driver gulp down a beer so that he can jump on his bike to take the newly arrived passenger— or even to see a rider with a sachet (a baggie of hard alcohol) hanging out of his mouth while cruising around. The fact is, most people in Cameroon have very little alcohol education. Growing up they never get any lessons in school on the subject— certainly no “Every 15 Minutes” simulations. They don’t even receive any campaigns against drunk driving or the affects of alcohol. There are no TV commercials condemning it, no billboards denouncing, not even any prosecution by law enforcement. Many don’t realize that certain alcohols have higher concentrations than others. And while they certainly have experience with alcohol, they have never had its affects laid out for them. They don’t know the health affects it has on the body. They haven’t specifically been told the influence it has on driving abilities. And they haven’t necessarily stopped to think about it before.

I have started a program with them that covers attitudes towards alcohol, the affects of alcohol on the body, the affects of alcohol on driving, the health affects of alcohol, the economic consequences of alcohol, alcohol myths, and related risky behaviors associated with alcohol (like violence, unprotected sex, HIV, etc). Around 20 men attend the weekly sessions. The lessons are discussion based and interactive, but also have some lecturing involved. So far, the okada men seem very interested and appreciative. After each class they thank me and have told me they have learned something new, or that I have given them something to think about. Ultimately, I hope that drunk driving will decrease, but at the very least that these men will be able to make informed decisions regarding their lifestyles and that they will increase their knowledge on how their actions affect their health. 

The Water Project Goes On

The community of Akid continues to work hard on the project. We have now completed the water tank, but are still struggling to finish up the filter. Everything seems to take longer than expected. Like, a lot longer. But it’s going, that’s the good news. Everyday I walk up to the village (it’s about an hour and a half from my house) to oversee the work and help motivate the people there. They are always encouraged to see me. The men have been learning how to mix concrete, how to do the formwork for the structures, and how to pour the concrete. 

The women are typically responsible for the transportation of materials to the site. They use the baskets they use on their farms to carry stones, sand, and water to the site so the men can mix the concrete. 

Together, they all dig pipeline. Work is going to have to start moving a bit faster if we expect to finish in time for rainy season, but I expect it to happen! The engineer has returned home for a bit and won’t be around again until July, so we have the rest of June to finish things up. When he does come back, he will connect the pipes and do the finishing touches, and hopefully we’ll have a functional water system then!

Stranger Things

I have just about seen it all. Motorcycles transport almost anything here. I have seen live goats, pigs, dogs, and chickens carried on motorcycles. I have seen numerous crates of beer. I have seen mattresses, I have seen tables and chairs. I have seen entire couches strapped to the back. I have watched five people squeeze onto one. I have seen heavy things, I have seen many things., I have seen awkward things. But today was the first time I have seen a corpse go by. That’s right. The body was wrapped in a shroud and then wrapped in a thin layer of foam, and tied to a wooden plank with rubber straps, which was then attached to the front of the motorcycle. I suppose it was just a sensible way to transport a body, but after that, I’m not so sure I want to know what I will see next!