Happy International Education Week!

Rise with the sun.

With the help of Peace Corps Volunteer Alex Meckley, women who farm in the Northwest Region of Cameroon are now strengthening the diets of their households and earning additional income.

For women farmers in Cameroon, the land is their livelihood.

"A typical day in Cameroon is full of joy and happiness. Every Friday, a group called “Mbiykici”(I plant a tree) meets in a small village in the north west of Cameroon to make music by singing, playing traditional instruments and enjoying a cup of palm wine or honey drink. People around them dance, laugh and share what makes them happy, to the rhythm of one of their favorite Cameroonian songs, 'We are one, we are together.'" – Peace Corps Cameroon Volunteer Jomara Laboy-Rivera

"In Cameroon, we live by a saying – nous sommes ensemble. We are together. Regardless of the circumstances, I am your brother, she is my sister, and we are together navigating through life's challenges and mishaps. It's victories and triumphs. We are united by joy and joy undoubtably results in unity." – Peace Corps Cameroon Volunteer Kevin Tang

Since Peace Corps’ inception in 1961, more than 60 deaf Americans have successfully served as Volunteers. An additional 138 Americans with some degree of hearing loss have served since 2001.

Cameroon is a country with a rich culture and unique traditions. Dancing and music comprise a huge part of Cameroonians’ lives, whether at clubs or gathering with neighbors.

After spending 27 months in a small village in rural Cameroon as a Volunteer, picking up and moving to Shanghai was nothing for returned Peace Corps Volunteer Wendy Lee, even without a job or friends there.