Away for a while, but still around

I guess I sorta didn't realize what a negative impact on my blogging the essential closing of the internet cafe in Edea would cause. I now only have access when I go to either Douala or Yaounde. Since I've been quite busy recently, its been a struggle just to keep up with the 'work-related' emails. sadly, its my blog that has suffered through all of this. Bad, bad blog writer...

Ok, so my parents are coming in a few days and I'm doing my best to nail everything down before they arrive. Its not easy when there's really no such thing as a reservation in this country. Luckily its not high season for anything, so I'm pretty convinced we'll be able to walk into about any hotel or any restaurant and get what we need. That's the theory anyway. The 'rents will be here for a little over two weeks. In that time, we're going on a full-blown safari, visiting friends all over, visiting the family in Banjoun, and relaxing on the beach. I figure that should cover it. All the while I have a feeling my father will be taking hundreds of photos- this being his first trip to sub-saharan africa. My next update will be after the completion of their visit, so it should be full of great stories.

As for things that have happened in the last month or so since my last update... My classes have finally ended for the year. The last day of class, I decided to make it an 'American Game Day'. So, I brought fun things for them to try (they had never seen any of them before in person). I brought with me (largely thanks to the Charlotte Providence Day School) a yo-yo, silly putty, slinky, and bubble wands. I also had matchbox cars and a water gun. Lets just say that they REALLY had fun for the last hour. One student was actually able to make the yo-yo come almost all the way back up, much to her amazement. Thanks again to the students in Charlotte for sending that stuff up. Next year before I go, I will be giving away all the toys sent to me, so then they'll really have a blast!

My older kids (equivalent of fifth grade) had to take a big state test to graduate from elementary school. They were a little nervous about it, especially since there was an english component to it. I prepped them as best I could, gave them practice exams and so on, and then the big day came. I wasn't there, but afterwards I asked them how it went. All of them said the english part was "easy" for them, and I can't tell you how proud of them I felt. A happy day.

At the bank, things seem to be moving along little by little. We've actually started looking at real estate in the center of town so we can have a more visible location. We're also planning on joining a nationwide network of money-transfers to improve our traffic and revenues. I'm optimistic, and hope we can accomplish this in the next couple of months.

I've recently begun helping a woman who started and still runs a nursery school which is almost next to the bank. She has realized that her money management skills are lacking and wants help. I'm working with her to hire a full time manager and put in some cash controls and budgeting techniques that will allow her and her employees to benefit. I'm hoping it'll trickle down to the little kids as well. Hopefully there will be lots more exciting updates in this story.

On June 5th, I and all those who arrived from Philadelphia with me, marked our first anniversary in country. It seems like so long ago, but time continues to speed up and I feel like I'll be home in no time. On the same day, the newest group of education and business volunteers arrived in country. I've been working with a great team of current volunteers to prepare for their arrival and to develop their training program for the nine weeks of their training. After almost four weeks, it seems our planning has been working out and is providing a solid training experience for them. I have already presented two sessions, and will be presenting two more before my parents arrive. I'm sure my college accounting professor would be on the floor with laughter if she knew I was teaching a session on basic accounting. I've almost got this whole assets and liabilities thing worked out...