RUDEC needs the services of all volunteers from any country, with no barriers to age, sex, or colour, who can help in rural development, either by starting new projects or through the continuation of existing ones (such as the orphan project, the afterschool project or the eco-tourism project), for the wellbeing of communities.

If you are considering applying, and would like more practical details (about costs, accommodation, transport, communication etc.), we hope that you will find the document "Information for Volunteers" (below) useful. We can also supply the contact details of previous volunteers who will give you feedback on their own personal experiences in Cameroon.

If you wish to apply to become a RUDEC volunteer, please go to the Online Volunteer Application. We will then get in contact with you to propose volunteer work that best matches our needs with your own particular abilities and interests.

Information for Volunteers

Below is some practical information about life in our village (Belo). If you have any questions that are not answered on this page, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Belo Village

RUDEC is situated in the picturesque Bamenda Highlands, in a village called Belo. Belo is part of Boyo Division, in the Anglophone North-West province in Cameroon. The main village and the surrounding settlements are home to about 80,000 inhabitants. The nearest town, Bamenda itself, is situated 45km from Belo. There is a tarmac road between Belo and Bamenda, and it will cost you about 1.5 euros for 1 hour, traveling in a shared taxi.

Climate and Landscape

There are plenty of good opportunities for walking and trekking in the beautiful local areas around the village. The dry season starts in October/November and ends in March/April. During dry season, the temperature is about 30ºC to 35ºC during the day and 15ºC to 20ºC at night. The rainy season is the rest of the year, with heavy rains in July and August. At this time, temperatures fall between 25ºC and 30ºC.

Accommodation

You can either stay with a member’s family, where you will pay 15 euros per month, or you can stay in a Rest House at a cost of about 38 euros per month. The Rest House has 4 heated rooms, with a shared bathroom (toilet and shower). It also has one general parlour with a seating area and a kitchen for food preparation. (There is a gas cooker provided by RUDEC, but volunteers will need to buy their own gas).

Meals

Most of our food is organic, as we don’t use chemical pesticides or fertilizers. If you cater for yourself, you can expect to spend about 45 euros a month on food. If you choose to stay in the rest house you will pay 53 euros per month. Volunteers will also buy their food with their cook together. The drinking water in Belo is very good, and safe to drink. However, if you prefer, you can boil it before drinking. Bottled distilled water can be purchased at a cost of 1 euro for 1.5 liters.

Pick up at the Airport

RUDEC can pick you up from Douala airport and take you to the village. Traveling by bus from Douala to the village will take about 7 hours. As you will appreciate, RUDEC has very few funds, so we have to request that you pay for the pick up before you arrive in Cameroon. The total fee is 76 euros, which includes the costs of transport by bus, taxi hire from the airport, and food and water needed during the journey. If your plane arrives late, or if you don’t want to travel overnight, it is possible for someone to take you to a hotel in Douala. This will cost about 25euros for you and for any other person accompanying you.

Communication Facilities

In our village there is access to the Internet, and phones are also available to enable you to communicate with your friends and family. Volunteers can buy phone and use when they are here. They can also call from the cyber-cafe in Belo at 0.5 euros per minute.

Money

It is possible to withdraw money using an international visa card in the neighboring town Bamenda. Please don’t bring traveller’s cheques, as these are difficult to change here. Euros, dollars and pounds can be easily exchanged.

If you are staying for a long time, it may also be possible for you to open an account in an international bank in the neighboring town.

Security

All volunteers will be taken to the divisional officer and the Gendarmeries, who will ensure your safety for the duration of your stay.

Medical Provision

Should volunteers need to see a doctor during their stay, Mbingo Baptist hospital is a large medical centre close to Belo. You may also wish to bring basic medical supplies (first aid kit etc.) with you. Suggested things to bring:

- Sturdy walking shoes
- Sandals
- Comfortable and loose clothing
- Warm clothing for cool nights
- Umbrella and raincoat
- Mosquito repellent and net

Getting a Visa

Contact the Cameroonian embassy in your home country to obtain a visa. Either 3 month or 6 month visas are available, and usually you must provide proof of flights, travel insurance and an invitation letter (which RUDEC will email to you).

Check if your country registers people who travel out or not. For the US and UK, please check here:

US Citizen: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui
UK Citizens: https://www.locate.fco.gov.uk/locateportal

Visa Issue to People who do not have a Cameroon Embassy

We would like to advise all those that are coming into Cameroon that it will not be good to leave your home country without a visa with the hope that you will have it in any Cameroon airports. You will most likely be denied entry.

If you do not have a Cameroonian Embassy in your country, you will need your contacts at RUDEC in Cameroon to prepare an application for the Director General of National security in Yaounde which will take about a month. They may decide to give you a visa or not. You will need to send in your scanned passport. Volunteers / interns should know that they will be responsible for the associated costs.

Health Insurance

We do not insure volunteers as we do not have liability insurance. Our association with a large Baptist hospital in the region, where some Americans work as missionaries, will aid us if there is an emergency case with one of our volunteers. We are encourage volunteers to obtain their own insurance before they book a flight.

If you have any disability or illness please contact us so that we can advise you on what to before you book your flights.

Planning for your Volunteer Work

As RUDEC is in the process of expanding to hopefully become a significant presence in the Belo community, there are many important resources that RUDEC does not have
easy access to. It would be greatly appreciated for any volunteer to bring whatever resources they can, such as books, computers, cameras etc. that will assist with RUDEC’s development. Also, due to lack of funding to initiate new projects or for the everyday needs of the organisation, volunteers are welcome to fundraise before coming to Belo to help with their work.

Training Opportunities with RUDEC

As RUDEC thrives on exchanging knowledge, we would be more than happy to train you in beekeeping skills. There is also the possibility for you to develop projects from our broad objectives, and to be the founder of that particular project within RUDEC.

Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to seeing you soon amongst us.

Chiamba Joshua
RUDEC Co-ordinator