Breaking stones for hardcore
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Taking the decision to stay away from home, your family, your friends, your job and other personal activities is a very difficult thing to do, especially when you are going to a place you have no prior knowledge about.
A change in environment and culture is not always easy to deal with. There are lots of worries and uncertainties in the mind which need to be answered. This is normal for everyone travelling for the first time to a “far off land”.
SHUMAS is aware of these worries for volunteers and we will attempt to provide answers to some questions you may have in mind.
Who is SHUMAS Cameroon?
SHUMAS is a development NGO and the goal of the organization is to improve lives, reduce poverty and empower people in an integrated and sustainable manner. The organization’s scope of operation is Cameroon and its target is the rural population and the urban poor. The organization has tackled and continues to tackle development issues in Cameroon.
SHUMAS focuses on integrated sustainable rural development and to achieve this, SHUMAS has a series of programs which enables it to reach its target groups through Education, Social Welfare, Environmental Protection and Management, Health, Water and Sanitation, Agriculture and Women's Empowerment.
What is our organization’s mission?
The mission of SHUMAS is to improve lives, reduce poverty and empower people so that they can meet their needs.Where is SHUMAS located?
SHUMAS is found in Cameroon, West Africa. It has a Head Office at Mile 6 Nkwen Bamenda in the North West Region and a Regional Office at Kongir, Kumbo in Bui Division.
Bamenda town is rich with traditional and authentic tourist spots which you will want to visit! The town has interesting sites like the Awing Crater Lake, the Press-Craft Centre of Bamenda, the Handicraft centre of Bamenda, the rocky mountain chain of Sabga and small waterfalls at up station and along the Sabga Hill.
In Kumbo there are interesting sites like the Cathedral constructed entirely of stones, the Nkar Palace and several others.
Also, our Biofarm, 11 km from Kumbo town and approximately 200 km from Bamenda town, is a large centre occupying approximately 55 hectares of land. The environment is calm and beautiful especially in the rainy season when plants are fresh and very green! The Biofarm has a 16 rooms for students, visitors and tourists, etc.
The farm is also a Training Centre, with 2 dormitories for both male and female participants, an administrative block, conference hall, refectory, two staff quarters, and animal and crop units plus a renewable energy unit which provides energy for the farm.
How many volunteers have worked with SHUMAS?
SHUMAS works with national and international volunteers. Over 500 national volunteers have worked with the organisation, and through international partnerships with organisations like Aid Camps International UK, Building Schools for Africa UK, The Rotary Club of Canada, GIZ, etc. SHUMAS has worked and continues to work with an average number of 10 international volunteers annually.
What is the age range of the volunteers?
SHUMAS accepts anyone willing to help, share knowledge and experiences. Volunteers will typically be from 18 years and above.
Do I need any qualifications for volunteering or am I suitable?
Most of the time we do not have a specific need for qualifications, but you have to consider yourself if you would be suitable for the project you choose or show interest in. You can ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I open to experience new cultures and I am able to adjust to new cultures?
- Am I flexible to adapt well to new situations, environment and other people?
- Do I have self discipline and can I work independently?
- Am I innovative to come up with new ideas to help?
- Do I stand behind the project I choose and see it as a rewarding way in which I can develop my own qualities and character while giving something back to others?
Check out our available volunteer positions list
How do I apply?
Applying to be part of SHUMAS is very easy! First of all, visit our website and see what we do, and what we have achieved so far. Next, check out our available volunteer positions. You can then make your choices, fill in the volunteer questionnaire and send a copy to our email! Alternatively you can post your application to our Head Office:
- Strategic Humanitarian Services
- P.O BOX 5047 Nkwen,
- Bamenda Cameroon,
Will I be collected at the airport?
Of course you will be collected at the airport by a representative when you arrive and returned to the airport on your day of departure.
How safe am I in Cameroon particularly in Bamenda and Kumbo?
Cameroon is known in Africa and the world as one of the most peaceful countries. The people of Bamenda are generally very friendly and welcoming. In as much as security is not 100% guaranteed, these towns are relatively more secured than the larger towns in Cameroon. We make every effort to ensure that you are going to be as safe as possible. That is also the reason why we have most of our projects in small communities, where the people are very calm and friendly. Upon your arrival, we do some orientation to advise you on what to do, where to go, appropriate timing for your activities and how to interact with the people around you.
What transportation will be used in the country?
In Cameroon, the most popular means of transportation is by road. Every town particularly, Bamenda and Kumbo have interurban transport agencies, taxis and motorcycles. Transportation fares range from 100 FCFA to 5000FCFA depending on destination. Transportation within Bamenda town ranges from 100FCFA to 500FCFA. In Kumbo, transportation ranges from 100FCFA to 3000 FCFA. However, transportation from Kumbo town to the Biofarm is 1500FCFA during the dry season and 3000FCFA during the rainy season using a motorcycle (the farm is not easily assessable by car due to the poor nature of the roads. We strongly recommend motorcycle helmets for safety reasons, especially for volunteers working in Kumbo. Hotels are quite affordable in Bamenda and Kumbo. Average hotel prices range from 15000FCFA to 35000FCFA a night.
What is the climate like in Bamenda and Kumbo?
We have 2 seasons in Cameroon, Dry and Rainy. The Dry season is from around November till March and the Rainy season runs from around April to October.
Climatic conditions are diverse, ranging from temperate crop areas to tropical zones. Altitude on the grass fields range from a low of about 500 metres on the Donga Plain along the border of Nigeria to the north, to a high of 1400-1700 metres on the high plateaux around Bamenda and Nso'.
The plateaux are traversed by mountains with steep slopes, often cut by deep valleys. Temperature and rainfall vary widely, mostly an effect of altitude. The high plateau receives an average annual rainfall of over 3000 millimetres, while lower regions receive between 100-2500 millimetres.
Average temperatures around Bamenda range from 66°F to a mean minimum of 51°F. The damp cold nights during the rainy season can chill even those of us used to Northern near Arctic climates. Lower lying areas are much hotter with an average temperature range from 95.5°F to 72°F. There is generally a six or seven month rainy season from March to October, a dry, cool season from October to December and a very hot dry season from January to March. Bamenda lies in the Fertile Crescent extending from the north-east to Nkambe and south to Bafoussam on the neighbouring West Region.
In Kumbo, the temperature varies between lows of 29°C and highs of 38°C (84°F and 100°F).We recommend warm clothing, an umbrella/rain coat and boots especially during the rainy season. Good sturdy shoes are a must especially in the rainy season. Sun glasses, light clothing and a hat are preferable during the dry season.
The projects of SHUMAS are situated in 9 of 10 regions of the country, although the majority of them are found in the North West Region where the temperature is quite cool, especially in the early mornings and in the evenings.
Do I need any vaccinations?
We advise all volunteers, especially international volunteers, who are coming from a different geographical setting and are not familiar with the new environment, to take a vaccination against malaria as well as get some medication against typhoid, cholera and other tropical diseases.
We recommend that you visit your doctor to update any past immunizations and consult travel guides for other vaccinations.
Even though malaria is a serious problem in Africa, Cameroon included, in some parts of the North West Region mosquitoes are not very common especially in very cold areas like Kumbo and more precisely, where our Biofarm is situated 2000 meters above sea level. In Bamenda mosquitoes are sometimes very common. In other words, it is very important to guard against malaria by taking the appropriate medication.
What clothing do I need?
Clothing should be appropriate for physical, dirty work considering the fact that we work only in far off areas which are not easily accessible, especially during the rainy season. Old clothes are perfect. We suggest you have long-sleeve clothing, for protection both from the sun, mosquitoes, and scratches. Good sturdy shoes as earlier mentioned are necessary. However, some light clothing is advisable especially during the dry season when temperatures are very high during the day.
Accommodation?
SHUMAS can provide accommodation for interested volunteers. We have a 16 room guest house at our farm in Kumbo for lodging. Every room has a toilet, a bed with bed spreads and a very warm blanket; a table, a chair and a carpeted floor.
Although all the rooms do not have constant electricity, we run a generator from 6 pm to 9:00pm every evening (However an electrification project is on going in order to provide a constant reliable source of electricity) Lodging per night costs 3000FCFA.
There is a kitchen and a canteen where you can get good food prepared with fresh organic vegetables!
You can choose to lodge in an apartment in Bamenda town provided by SHUMAS sharing the same compound with the General Coordinator of the organization. This is a two room apartment, with a toilet and a comfortable parlour.
The entire apartment is already very well furnished with beds, a cooker, a table, sofas, with electricity, water and internet service. Lodging in this apartment cost 60,000FCFA a month. If you decide to lodge in a hotel, we cater for every necessary arrangement and to avoid any inconveniences, we keep volunteers fully informed of all finances involved before they travel to Cameroon.
Am I able to fund raise?
Yes! SHUMAS is a project oriented organization meaning we depend greatly on project proposers to raise funds for our projects and other administrative costs. Fund raising will be a great boost to the organization. You could fund raise for the construction of classrooms in a village school (SHUMAS generally constructs at least 3 classrooms in schools) You could equally fund raise for our scholarship scheme to sponsor underprivileged children. To get more information on this, please email our volunteer coordinator at You work 5 days in a week, which means that you are free for two days in a week (Saturday and Sunday) However this doesn’t mean that this will be every weekend. Some projects may require that you forgo a week end or more. There is a first time for everything! The staff of SHUMAS are very understanding and open. Even though you cannot communicate in any of our official languages, we will be very patient and willing to help you communicate with us and the locals. Through continuous interactions with the staff and locals, we know you will be a basic listener and speaker in one or two of these languages! If you wish to withdraw your application, please notify us by emailing to: shumas_ngo@yahoo.com It is important to ask questions so that you know what is expected when you get here. We are always open for further questions as long as they will keep you satisfied.
****** How many days do I have free to do other things?
I cannot speak English or French or any local language, is that a problem?
All SHUMAS staff speak and understand English and French. It doesn’t hurt to learn a few greetings which will be sure to garner a few smiles from the locals! The North West has several languages; the majority of the population speak English in addition to Pidgin English and their local dialect.What if I need to cancel my application?
Additional questions?
Email our volunteer coordinator at
shumas_ngo@yahoo.com
Volunteer plastering school wall