tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-219197872011-09-09T05:17:35.383+01:00<a href="http://www.breaking-ground.org">www.breaking-ground.org</a>Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.comBlogger461100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-23723731502362233492011-03-23T23:28:00.002+01:002011-03-23T23:47:58.294+01:00

Back in 2007 and 2008, Breaking Ground's Co-Founder, Sarah Oxford blogged frequently about her experiences working in Ngaoundéré, Cameroon. Her blog entries discussed a range of topics, from the challenges of founding the Women's Entrepreneurial Program and Breaking Ground Football, to the joys of successfully catching the mice who'd been living as her roommates.Today, Sarah is featured in

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-34413392243652867622010-10-20T19:56:00.001+01:002010-10-20T19:57:48.088+01:00

<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-78747268717793083982010-07-23T18:36:00.009+01:002010-08-02T19:35:59.673+01:00

Paul François Zangue, our point-person on the ground in Cameroon, just returned from a 10-day research trip in the Southwest Region's Lower Wabane valley. Paul has been hard at work doing research and planning for what will be Breaking Ground's newest Small Enterprise Development program.8-year-old children carry 20-liter water containersFollowing the successes of our Women's Entrepreneurial

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-31417459775579126772010-01-19T16:25:00.002+01:002010-01-30T17:06:02.070+01:00

Those of you that know me well enough know that I am not one for fast food. The closest I get to eating fast food in the U.S. is the occasional slice of pizza or deli sandwich. I've made a much belated discovery, however, that I am a Cameroonian fast food junkie. It's not that I just discovered liking the foods I prefer here, but rather that I just came upon the realization that they all fit into

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-18934726433746219782010-01-10T15:04:00.004+01:002010-01-12T13:14:26.585+01:00

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-7656777737960880082010-01-04T12:38:00.009+01:002010-01-07T11:04:52.277+01:00

After a hard fought match, les Oranges (renamed Les Pamplemousses by their enthusiastic coach/captain Bertrand Ngwesse) finally earned a 15-11 victory over Les Bleus on Saturday evening. I can't say enough times how incredibly impressed I am with the progress these kids made in just a handful of games played. Portsports Ultimate players, if it weren't for your height advantage, these kids would

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-72053778171916821792010-01-02T10:47:00.000+01:002010-01-07T10:34:23.381+01:00

Cameroonians put Americans to shame when it comes to their ability to celebrate a holiday. No only did most people I know in Dschang go out dancing on New Years' Eve (usually returning at 5 or 6 am), but everyone celebrates the entire next day. Alex and I kicked off our New Years' celebration with friends in Doumbouo. The main carrefour in the village of Batsengla was alive with activity. Beers,

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-25096893057296885202009-12-31T15:37:00.001+01:002010-01-02T11:17:01.817+01:00

I may be taking the easy way out here, but I'm going to go for another photo blog. Pictures speak louder than words, right?1. Ma soeur/amie Alex Moore, fellow member of the Breaking Ground team, arrived in Douala on Dec 27th. After a typical day-long ordeal in a bush taxi to meet her in Douala, she and I traveled with our dear friend (and papa) Tsamo Thomas, friend and driver of most SIT students

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-15911781063985081302009-12-26T09:49:00.001+01:002009-12-26T11:52:16.425+01:00

Check out the evolution of the project in Keuleng. Every couple of days, I take a photo from the same spot in the yard. Maybe someday I'll put the photos into a flip book. :)And a selection of photos of the construction:The head technician, Calixte.

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-79171006960376422852009-12-25T18:00:00.000+01:002009-12-26T11:33:31.649+01:00

Delmas, looking sharp in his party clothes.Elvira Hélène was much happier before she put her party clothes on.Delmas, sporting his Obama party clothes, and the tree.Pretty awesome.Marinette, who did most of the cooking and preparation for the party, and Elvira.Lindsay, all dolled up, loves having her photo taken....however we had less success with filming Elvira.Maman, a happy grandmother, with

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-39880834621987792412009-12-24T18:00:00.000+01:002009-12-26T11:08:55.600+01:00

The Breaking Ground - RIDEV team, along with potential partner-to-be, Taguem Fah.Left to Right: Taguem of COREDEC, Théo of RIDEV, Lindsay of Breaking Ground, Elsa of RIDEV, and Paul of Breaking Ground.After much anticipation and planning, I am proud to announce that Breaking Ground formally established its first official partnership this past Thursday. Our new partner is RIDEV (the Research

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-34016806205417249392009-12-23T20:07:00.003+01:002009-12-24T14:26:14.338+01:00

I am such a proud frisbee coach! After much delay and anticipation, Les Lions faced off agains Les Tigres tonight at the little football pitch down the road. This time, the rules and concept of the game stuck. You don't run when you have the frisbee. When your teammate has the frisbee, you run to get open and catch it. When your opponent has the frisbee, you wave your arms wildly in front of them

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-69109004319379667142009-12-21T14:53:00.001+01:002009-12-26T11:12:30.345+01:00

Despite the fact that I am in a place where the sun shines 12 hours per day nearly all year round, I'm still happy knowing that it's solstice today, and that the short, dark days at home in Maine will soon be growing longer. Happy Solstice, everyone!Some commentary from the past few days:After a week of working in Yaoundé, I traveled back to Dschang this past Saturday. I managed to hitch a ride

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-40597047975669620682009-12-18T11:12:00.000+01:002009-12-18T15:03:19.631+01:00

While there is, in some ways, an art to taking taxis in the capital city of Yaoundé, much of one's success relies on pure luck. Passengers-to-be stand waiting on curbs, often clustered together in places where taxis can easily pull over. Taxis approach, slowing to a roll, and their drivers listen as potential customers state their desired destinations. If the taxi, likely already partially full,

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-85809587425924794072009-12-14T09:16:00.002+01:002009-12-14T09:44:53.953+01:00

Try as I might, time is getting away from me and I'm not writing as much as I'd like to. I spent this past week in the Southwest Region of Cameroon, a part of the country I have hardly explored. The Southwest is most well known for its beautiful black sand beaches in Limbe, and for its 4000 meter Mount Cameroon, an active volcano that is the tallest mountain in all of West and Central Africa.

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-10899223154093158772009-12-06T21:02:00.000+01:002009-12-07T09:21:00.761+01:00

Cameroonians are clean people. So clean, in fact, that it's rare for their clothes to show dirt - even on the dustiest of days - unless they are farming, working construction, or doing some other form of work that necessitates getting dirty. Generally, if you see at dusty, dirty person out about in town, it's safe to say their probably mentally ill and/or homeless. Children are scolded for

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-36575384254798956852009-12-05T09:09:00.002+01:002009-12-05T09:18:18.625+01:00

Today was fabulous.Part I: Unusual Productivity1) Going to the commissariat (police station) to faire signer (legalize) a letter of invitation and a copy of my passport, and getting the whole thing done in about 30 minutes. Seriously. How did that happen? Then, scanning the document and getting it to upload without any problem. Sweet!2) Holding a three hour meeting with Théo and Elsa of RIDEV, M.

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-55959174254157129472009-12-03T08:12:00.003+01:002009-12-03T08:37:26.223+01:00

Today I made my long awaited return to Doumbouo. The keep the dust off (futile?) while on the back of the moto, I rode with my hood up, dropping it only when we reached the main carrefour that marks one’s arrival in the village. It is this moment, riding up the final hill to school, where I feel a little like a celebrity each time I return to Cameroon. Mamans waved and cheered and shouted my name

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-57621246989645338552009-12-02T09:40:00.004+01:002009-12-02T09:55:27.648+01:00

After nearly two full days of travel, I arrived in my "hometown" of Dschang yesterday in a cloud of red dust. After a long and cramped bus ride from Douala to Dschang, it was nearly dusk when my moto taxi sped across the abandoned and now-overgrown airstrip that leads to Keuleng. Along the way, I passed an elated Paul Sonkeng, a beloved friend of School for International Training students who've

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-3052109578491820082009-11-28T05:16:00.001+01:002009-11-28T05:16:29.583+01:00

After more than three months of pouring myself, full-time, into my work with Breaking Ground, I am finally headed back to Cameroon. These past months have been full of administrative work: correspondence, fundraising, grant writing, and other paper work. The big news is that we received a grant from the Obakki Foundation to build the Keuleng Preschool and Community Center. Work is already

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-4351784354235821912009-11-25T09:43:00.001+01:002010-08-02T19:33:37.916+01:00

Check out these photos of the astounding progress made this past week. Having already invested almost two decades of savings into the project, the community had already laid the building's stone foundation and built its cement columns. In just a week since the funds were transferred to Keuleng to begin construction, cinder blocks have already been made and the walls are being erected under the

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-73170270678884775712009-10-06T19:10:00.001+01:002010-08-02T19:16:07.695+01:00

On behalf of the community of Keuleng and all those involved with our work in Cameroon, Breaking Ground would like to thank the Obakki Foundation for their generous support of the Keuleng Preschool and Community Center. Obakki's grant of $30,000 will ensure that the bulk of the Keuleng project is completed before the onset of the rainy season in March. Breaking Ground is proud to be partnering

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-64915951484921062712009-06-17T11:44:00.000+01:002009-06-17T11:58:20.557+01:00

In August 2006, I returned from my work in Doumbouo, Cameroon and moved to Portland, Maine. Within weeks of my arrival in Portland, I was welcomed into the community of Waynflete School. For the past two years, I've taught middle school History (Cultural Geography) and French, and advised in the 7th grade. I've never truly known Portland outside of the context of my work at Waynflete.Today,

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-61377396162301888422008-07-07T11:08:00.001+01:002008-07-07T11:08:41.505+01:00

Hello to all!   This blog update, almost a year since my last, is clearly long overdue.  I have now been back in Cameroon for three weeks, but things are just now slowing down.  I arrived on July 13th, almost comforted by the familiarity of the muggy Douala weather.  I traveled with my friend, Nathan Boon, a fellow Wes alum, and was greated with enthusiasm by Maman Jeanne and her husband, my

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-48750668607589360592007-09-18T00:32:00.001+01:002007-09-18T00:32:29.598+01:00

Great news!  Breaking Ground has been approved as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity.  What does that mean?  Effective March 4, 2007, all donations are fully tax deductible.Furthermore, check out the work of our first official Ground Coordinator, Sarah Oxford, at her own blog: www.breaking-ground.org/oxford.Thank you for all your support, and please, keep checking in!On est ensemble,Lindsay--

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1162152035713701212006-10-29T21:00:00.000+01:002007-08-31T07:17:32.301+01:00

Once again, I am writing to you from Portland, Maine. Though Breaking Ground's projects in Cameroon are currently on hold, there has been a lot of exciting change brewing. This past weekend, we held our first ever "board meeting" in Weekapaug, Rhode Island for what will soon be our very own incorporated public charity. What does that mean? Soon your donations to us will be tax deductible.

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1157938304330350132006-09-11T02:31:00.000+01:002006-09-11T02:31:44.386+01:00

How things have changed!  Since my last update (which was far too long ago), another huge change took place in Doumbouo.  Our fundraising efforts for the public library in Doumbouo were fruitful.  On June 11th, we started construction of the new building and only a month and a half later, on July 29th, the library was inaugurated Bibliothèque Publique Lindsay Clarke de Bafou-Sud.  Your final

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1152808423822774592006-07-13T17:33:00.000+01:002006-07-13T17:33:43.890+01:00

Hi Everyone,   This past Tuesday, July 11th, marked six months since my arrival in Cameroon in January.   I have less than three weeks left before I fly out of Douala and leave behind friends and communities that I will miss terribly.  Although it makes me sad to think about leaving behind friends, families, colleagues, students, and the town and village I have called home here, it is satisfying

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1149356412315109212006-06-03T18:40:00.000+01:002006-06-03T18:40:12.690+01:00

Since the last update, "Breaking Ground Cameroon" has turned into more than just the name of a blog.   Breaking Ground is now headed on its way to becoming a real, official "organization."  As much as it pains me to join the ranks of non-governmental organizations (too many of which are bogged down by bureaucratic disorder and inefficiency, not to mention problematic "development" practices), if

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1148299166554398912006-05-22T12:58:00.000+01:002006-05-22T12:59:26.563+01:00

Check out the new site!www.breakinggroundcameroon.org

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1145948648697018412006-04-25T08:04:00.000+01:002006-04-25T15:15:59.226+01:00

Once again, this blog update is long overdue. Breaking Ground Cameroon has become a much larger project than any of us involved in its inception ever imagined. In addition to having raised over $7000, we are in the process setting new goals and starting new projects. I say "we" because Breaking Ground Cameroon is no longer something for which I feel like I can take full credit. Not only has my

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1141490895371750062006-03-04T17:48:00.000+01:002006-03-12T20:44:09.803+01:00

After almost a month of work, the initial projects undertaken at school are almost finished! All of the classrooms have had their walls and floors cemented. The water is flowing clean and clear from the new fountain. A wide, cement staircase has been installed on the school's steep hill – no more slipping and sliding for the kids or the teachers! The office has had its floor patched and a new

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1140888636322594602006-02-25T18:26:00.000+01:002006-03-12T20:41:08.793+01:00

Added six new photos to the construction page.

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1140884016444981022006-02-25T17:02:00.000+01:002006-04-06T00:23:45.910+01:00

All are Adobe PDF files and will open in a new browser window:BOOM and BUST!: A Case Study of the Relationship Between a Private Forestry Enterprise and Healthcare in Southern Cameroon’s Arrondissement of Campo (Spring 2004)The Politics of Leverage: A study of the relation of Cameroon to neo-liberal reform within the context of neo-imperialist rivalries (Fall 2004)Encroaching Upon La Chasse

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1140875322804005032006-02-25T13:53:00.000+01:002006-02-25T14:48:42.826+01:00

First, my deepest apologies to those of you who have been waiting for an update. Fortunately, the reason that I have not written is that I have been far too busy with the work that YOU have funded to sit down and write a proper update. But finally, a much needed, unscheduled weekend has arrived.The work at school is going magnificently! All of the rooms have had their floors and walls cemented

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1139859715846684782006-02-12T06:51:00.000+01:002006-03-12T20:40:25.613+01:00

Added 22 new photos of the construction and a new group of photos from La Fete de la Jeunesse, the national celebration of youth and education.

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1139514195726561062006-02-09T20:40:00.000+01:002006-02-10T02:37:22.356+01:00

Just uploaded four new photos of the construction! I also recently added some photos of the technical school and my family.

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1139505769035941662006-02-09T18:22:00.000+01:002006-03-12T20:39:02.290+01:00

Hi everyone!First, to those of you who have made contributions and are gathering supplies to help this cause: There is no possible way that I can express through email the gratitude of the entire community of Doumbouo. I am not a religious person, but I am still moved when I hear that old women in all the neighboring villages are talking of the act of God that is taking place in Doumbouo.

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1139039349643968712006-01-30T12:00:00.000+01:002006-02-08T04:28:50.986+01:00

Here are some photos of primary school at which I work, my students, and my co-workers. These pictures were taken on the day that I announced to the other teachers that my plea for financial assistance from friends and family at home had been successful. We will start construction of cement floors and walls in three classrooms next week. I cannot thank enough those of you who have reached out to

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1139033119824768532006-01-28T21:32:00.000+01:002006-02-05T22:56:27.100+01:00

Hello all, This post is a special one. Please read it! It will make you think twice about spending $5 on that pint of beer, $9.99 on that shirt on sale at the Gap, or anything else that isn't vitally necessary. After another week of teaching, we are breaking ground at the primary school - literally. Early this past week, I sat down and did my expenses. I calculated my costs of living ($120

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1139176794309617642006-01-28T21:00:00.000+01:002006-02-08T04:35:00.350+01:00

It POURED on Wednesday! This time of year, rain is a blessing. In the hot dry days, the dust on the roads in unbearable. The commute to work (on the back of my host-father's motorcycle) is tough: I ride covered by a cloth in an attempt to block out the clouds of dust kicked up by the occasional passing car. But Wednesday's rain knocked the dust back and the roads are still relatively dust

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1139175518541328292006-01-28T12:55:00.000+01:002006-02-08T04:39:05.330+01:00

Here are more photos from Dschang. Next week I'll include photos of the schools I'm working in, if I can manage to upload them. Thanks, and keep in touch.

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1139034903428389002006-01-22T13:08:00.000+01:002006-02-08T04:42:31.050+01:00

Hello all, After a few attempts and a couple of hours, I have managed to successfully upload some photos. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to upload half of those that I wanted to because the internet station got too crowded and I was slowing up the entire system, but I managed to get some shots of my house uploaded. As for news: the rest of my work week finished up well. I was nervous about

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1139034667919680862006-01-19T12:03:00.000+01:002006-02-05T22:52:11.396+01:00

Salut mes soeurs, frères, mamans, et papas, Thanks to the general state of disorganization at the private technical high school where I will be teaching at the end of each week, I have been granted a half day off. I am pretty exhausted after my first three days at l'école primaire de Doumbouo. I started school on Monday morning. The primary school is a half hour motorcycle ride away up a steep

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1139034477661409462006-01-10T01:02:00.000+01:002006-02-05T22:51:51.890+01:00

Well folks, after a long hiatus from life on the road, my bags are packed and I am Cameroon-bound. I am a restless mixture of excitement and nerves right now. I fly out Tuesday, January 10th from Philly and make connections in Cincinnati and Paris before arriving in Douala, Cameroon, at which point I will travel by bus/van for about six hours to reach my destination: Dschang. Hours of total

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21919787.post-1141517336085420212006-01-09T18:00:00.000+01:002006-03-05T01:14:56.940+01:00

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Lindsay Clarke and I am currently working as a teacher of English as a foreign language in a small, public primary school in the rural village of Doumbouo, Cameroon. Upon my graduation from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut (USA) last year, I was fortunate to receive a grant to fund a public service project here in Cameroon. This blog

Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03434084214375332644noreply@blogger.com0