DOWNPOUR OF ENTHUSIASM IN CAMEROON

In Cameroon, it really rains during the wet season. The ‘pleut’ is a reason to cancel any engagement. However, Inter Campus seemed to have been protected by some form of saint as the weather cooperated and the rain stayed away during the week spent in Mbalmayo to the south of the capital Yaounde. This allowed both the theory and practical work to go on unscathed for the 25 coaches from all over the country, but above all for the dozens of boys and girls. There was even a small tournament with around 300 participants from all the different Inter Campus branches from the district.

The overall objectives of this project revolves around the development of the children’s character through sport, but also the development of local coaches and this was highlighted by the presence of two coaches Bouea and Bamenda from the English-speaking part of the country. In recent months, there has been tension and conflict in that part of Cameroon and it took our coaches two days to make the trip on account of all the roadblocks while the journey normally takes eight hours by car. Just at the moment it was time to leave and after the final photo, the coaches from the French-speaking part of the country held a collection to buy a small gift for those two coaches and their children. This demonstration of unity was even more touching when considering that they’re all volunteers and certainly not flushed with cash. This is just one of the many small (or big) miracles of Inter Campus that we frequently see before our very eyes and they’re always unexpected and precious. Who knows, perhaps it was because celebrations were ongoing to mark the 20th anniversary since the death of the COE founder and our local partner don Francesco Pedretti. The beautification process for him to be recognised as a saint is ongoing. There was time for a visit to the new national stadium in Olembé where our great sponsor Piccini is building at an incredible speed so that it will be ready for the 2019 Cup of Nations. While in the car on the way to the airport, the first drops of rain start to fall but they can’t worry us now.

27.07.2018