{"id":78,"date":"2017-03-06T19:16:32","date_gmt":"2017-03-06T19:16:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cwbblogs.com\/cameroon17\/?p=78"},"modified":"2017-03-06T20:22:11","modified_gmt":"2017-03-06T20:22:11","slug":"day-2-in-douala","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cwbblogs.com\/cameroon17\/2017\/03\/06\/day-2-in-douala\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 2 in Douala"},"content":{"rendered":"

An early morning start, which wasn\u2019t difficult as every motorbike or taxi that has a functioning horn started about 0600am (and continued all day until dark!). The Cameroonian approach to driving appears to be \u201cif your side of the road is full, use the other side\u201d and roundabouts and cross roads are a \u201cfree for all\u201d. But we made it to \u201cNew Bell\u201d school for 0700am to watch all 5000 (yes 5000!) students sing the National anthem and raise the Cameroonian flag. They all stood neatly in lines in the central courtyard area. The school was built 1940 and not had much upgrade since as the Principal informed us.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

So after formalities ,down to work from \u201c Le cricket sans frontiers\u201d. First session 120 keen 11-12 year olds with 2 of the teachers from yesterday’s training – Patience (a bubbly enthusiastic lady) and Sandrine who was in charge . James and Jules from Cameroon Cricket Federation helped with translation. Everyone is always so happy and helpful so our early nerves are soon settled. The children, in their pristine clean kit were so keen to do well but also fiercely competitive and wanted to win any competitions we did. Girls and boys mixed well (though as at home \u2013 girls seem to be so much easier to teach).<\/p>\n

We worked out our way of talking about the message of HIV prevention, protection and testing. They were well versed in the messages of Abstinence, Being faithful, Protection and Testing and seemed happy to talk about it in each session.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The afternoon after another incredible journey through the middle of a market was to another school with even less facilities also in the \u201cNew Bell\u201d district but were they happy to see us. The van was surrounded by chanting happy children. \u201cBonjours\u201d and \u201cCa va\u201ds abound . The heat of the day is now at its peak ( probably >35) and humid. The kids look great in their neat blue uniforms. We look red, hot and sweaty but \u201cc\u2019est la vie\u201d.<\/p>\n

We are all getting more confident at managing large numbers of children (about 270-80 today). We are also having fun with the kids \u2013 high fives everywhere, smiles and laughing to be heard all around , and there are learning at the same time, both about cricket and HIV. Language is seeming less of a problem now.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Fun moment\u00a0 of the day is that the children all think Dom looks like a TV star called Carlos from a series called Destiny so that name has stuck.<\/p>\n

Great start. We are all \u201ctres fatigue\u2019\u201d and ready for another early start tomorrow.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Finally after finishing we had our first \u201cinternational\u201d match against the Cameroonian coaches plus Sam who are helping with us. 1-0 Cameroon (5 over game). We will be back!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An early morning start, which wasn\u2019t difficult as every motorbike or taxi that has a…<\/p>\n

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