International volunteer program

CAEPA Cameroon welcomes volunteers from any part of the world to support its projects. Volunteers are expected to donate to activities they find interesting. This program Fee is solely used day to day running of the charity, for example, an allowance to volunteer assistant, transport to project site for supervisor and stationeries for the office. Volunteer Fees are paid upon arrival at the project site. Volunteers who come with specific projects are part of the implementation team to ensure satisfaction and transparency in the use of funds. Your donations are calculated according to your stay in Cameroon.

From one day to three months is 250 Euros

From four months to five months is 150 Euros

From six months to nine months is 100 Euros

From ten months to infinitive is Free

BEFORE ARRIVING IN CAMEROON

Getting a Visa

Please contact the Cameroon embassy in your home country to obtain a visa. There is a 3 month or 6-month visa available. Usually one must provide flight ticket details, travel insurance and an invitation letter (which CAEPA CAMEROON will email to you). Check if your country has a Cameroon Embassy. 

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 advise all volunteers to get their visas before they leave their respective countries. It is not advisable to fly out from your home country without a visa hoping that it will be available at any of the Cameroon airports. You will most likely be denied entry if such is the case. If you do not have a Cameroonian Embassy in your country, we will need your contacts at CAEPA CAMEROON in Cameroon to prepare an application to the Director-General for National Security in Yaounde which will take about a month. They may decide to give you a visa or decide against it. You will need to send in your scanned passport. Volunteers/interns should know that they will be responsible for the associated costs. The other alternative is that volunteers from countries without a Cameroon Embassy could cross over their borders or mail their documents to a neighbor country that has Cameroon Embassy to apply for a visa.

Please also note that in order to enter the country, you will need proof of a Yellow Fever vaccination.  We recommend that you see your travel doctor before traveling to Cameroon to get the necessary vaccinations and medications especially antimalarials.

Health Insurance

We do not insure volunteers as we do not have liability insurance. A regional hospital and other effective hospitals exist around town, which will help if there is an emergency with a volunteer. We encourage volunteers to obtain their own travel insurance before they book a flight. Here are some websites where one can get more information: WHO and CDC. If you have any disability or illness, please contact us so that we can advise you on what to do before you come.

CAEPA CAMEROON is an organization that is evolving. Creativity is the watchword. We will greatly appreciate volunteers who will carry along whatever resources they can, such as books, computers, cameras, etc. that will assist CAEPA CAMEROON in achieving its objectives. Also, due to the lack of funding to initiate new projects or for the everyday running of the organization, volunteers are advised to fundraise before coming to Cameroon to help with their work.

WHILE IN CAMEROON

Accommodation

Staying in a Rest House will cost about $100 per month. The Rest House has 2 heated bedrooms, with a shared bathroom (toilet and shower). It also has one general parlor with a seating area and a kitchen for food preparation. (There is a gas cooker provided by CAEPA CAMEROON, but volunteers will need to buy their own gas).

Meals

Most of our food is organic though inorganic is found in stores. You can expect to spend between $75 to $100 a month which includes cooking for yourself as well as eating out a few times a week. Volunteers can also buy their food and cook together for those who need a cook or with somebody assigned by the organization. The drinking water in Bamenda is very good, and safe to drink. However, most volunteers prefer to filter or boil it before drinking. Bottled distilled water can be purchased at a cost of $1 for 1.5 liters.

Pick up at the Airport

CAEPA Cameroon program coordinator will pick you up from Douala airport and take you to the project site. Traveling by bus from Douala to the Bamenda will take about 7 hours. CAEPA Cameroon has limited funds thus will appreciate if volunteers pay for their pick up before they arrive in Cameroon. The total fee is 88 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. More information about the journey can be found in our Volunteer Manual that you will be sent on signing up for coming to Cameroon.

Communication Facilities

In the project area, there is access to the Internet, and phones are also available to enable you to communicate with your friends and family. We encourage volunteers to bring an unlocked cellular phone from their country in which you can buy a sim card and use it in Cameroon. There are many cyber cafes and international calling centers where you can skype or call home for under $.06 per minute.

Money

It is possible to withdraw money using an international visa card in Bamenda through the various available banks including EcoBank, BICEC, SGBC, Bank Atlantic, and Oceanic Bank. Please don’t bring traveler’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 at one of the banks in Bamenda town.

Security

CAEPA Cameroon works with the divisional officers and mayors who are the representatives of the government; volunteers will be introduced to the divisional officer and the gendarmeries (police officers) in the project area so as to ensure their safety for the duration of their stay.

Medical Provision

Should volunteers need to see a doctor during their stay, there are good medical centers around the project area. 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-Extra bed sheets and net.