Holidays Animism is the term used to categorize the plethora

of localized indigenous throughout the world. Celebrations are very important to your sponsored Animists live in a world dominated by a complex interplay child. Cameroon observes a number of religious and of spiritual powers. The manipulation of such powers national holidays. National Islamic holidays play an through magic, to benefit humans, is subject to strict important part in the lives of the people of Cameroon. rules, including rituals, sacrifices, and trance. Animists Ramadan and the Feast of the Ram are celebrated believe that when people die their life force (soul) leaves on different dates each year, according to the lunar the body, joining the invisible world of ancestors. The calendar followed by the Muslim world. invisible world is also populated by nature spirits of the January 1 wind, rain, forest, animals, and earth. Many indigenous New Year’s Day adherents in Cameroon celebrate the Yam Festival each February 11 August, during which yams, the first crop to be harvested, National Youth Day are offered to gods and ancestors as a way of giving March/April* thanks to the spirits. Easter Christians are followers of Jesus, a carpenter and a Jew May 1 Labor Day from the city of Nazareth in present-day Israel. Christians believe that Jesus is the only son of God, born of a virgin May 20 Cameroon National Day woman (Mary) in a stable in Bethlehem. His story is told in Population 21.7 million the New Testament of the Christian holy book, the Bible. August 15 The Christian symbol—the cross—reminds the faithful Capital City Yaoundé Assumption Day that Jesus died for them, for the forgiveness of their sins. Official Language French and English Date varies Djouldé Soumaé (End of Ramadan) is an Arabic word meaning “submission to the Per Capita Income US$1,170/year December 25 will of Allah (God).” believe that Allah’s will Youth Literacy Rate 85% male/76% female Christmas was revealed to the prophet Muhammad more than Access to Safe Water 95% urban/52% rural *date varies 14 centuries ago and was captured in the Islamic holy book, the Koran (Qur’an). Together with the Sunnah, Under 5 Mortality Rate 95/1,000 live births in Cameroon a collection of sayings attributed to Muhammad, these texts provide a firm basis for religious and social life for Source: The State of the World’s Children 2014 (UNICEF) Forty percent of the population in Cameroon practice all Muslims, including rules for diet, dress, hygiene, and indigenous religions, 40 percent are Christians, and 20 more. percent are Muslims. Cameroon is a country on the western coast of Central Africa. It is generally called Additional sources include the CIA World Factbook and State Department websites. “Africa in Miniature” because of its central location between different geographic regions: the humid monsoon region of West Africa, the savanna of western Sudan, Plan International USA is part of a global organization that works side by side with communities in 50 developing countries to end the cycle of poverty for children. We develop solutions community by community to ensure long-term sustainability. Our the dry Sahelian region of northern Africa, and the Atlantic Ocean. The convergence level of community engagement, long-term outlook, and constant focus on the needs and priorities of children is unique among of these regions in Cameroon explains the country’s geographic, climatic, ethnic, international development organizations. Our solutions are designed up-front to be owned by the community for generations to come, and range from clean water and health-care programs to education projects and child-protection initiatives. and linguistic diversity. Cameroon owes its name to Portuguese explorers who first landed on the seacoast in 1472, by way of the River Wouri. They named the River Promising Futures, Plan International USA Wouri Rios Dos Camarões (“river of the shrimps”) because of the copious amounts Community by Community 155 Plan Way • Warwick, RI 02886 of shrimp that lived in the river. The Rios Dos Camarões eventually led to the 1-800-556-7918 • planusa.org country’s name of Cameroon. A Brief History addition, Plan supports children orphaned by HIV and AIDS and other vulnerable children through sensitization Portuguese explorers arrived in what is now Cameroon sessions that enable them to make clear choices about in the late 1400s. Before this time, different tribal sexual behavior and family planning. groups had migrated into the territory surrounding Lake Chad in the northern tip of Cameroon’s present-day Education and skills training border, providing a rich environment for tribal activity. Cameroon became a territory of contention among the We work to ensure that children older than 13 in rural British, German, and French traders and missionaries areas receive adequate education and life skills for a in the 19th century. During World War I, the British balanced and productive life. This program promotes and French joined forces and defeated the Germans participation in community development and decision- in Cameroon. They then partitioned the country in making processes, HIV prevention, life skills, and 1916, with France managing four-fifths of the region vocational skills training. and Britain one-fifth. This partition was ratified by the Clothing Naming Customs League of Nations, and in 1922 the territories were Sustainable rural livelihoods respectively placed under French and British mandates. The traditional clothing of Cameroon is very colorful In Cameroon, a child is given a name at birth in At the end of World War II, the two territories were Cameroon’s economy is agriculture-based, and its and varies from region to region. In most areas, remembrance of a particular event, ancestor, or loved transformed into trusts under the United Nations principal exports include crude oil, timber, cocoa, coffee, Western-style clothing is worn on a day-to-day basis, one. In some parts of the country, such names are given Trusteeship system. Britain and France administered cotton, and bananas. Despite the importance of the with traditional garments being worn during festivals to boys and girls alike. Generally, there are specific both territories until independence in 1961. Cameroon agricultural sector in the economy, agriculture is still and tribal meetings. In the south, most men wear a traditional names for girls and boys. In the Toupouri is a unitary and democratic state, operating with a largely traditional and varies from region to region. Most large white shirt over a piece of cloth tied around their areas of the north, for example, female names are national assembly and president elected by the people, farmers use hoes and animal-drawn plows to maintain waists that stretches to their ankles. The women of preceded by the prefix “Mai.” Among the Christians, and a prime minister who is appointed by the president. their crops. Livestock farming is done mostly in the this area wear the kaba, a loose gown that gathers just a child is given a Christian name when the baby is savanna region in the north. Plan’s sustainable rural above the chest and stretches downward to the ankles. baptized. This second name could be biblical, religious, livelihoods program addresses issues related to food Plan’s work in Cameroon covers four The pygmies of the southern forest wear minimum or secular in meaning. The Muslims of Cameroon follow security and family income. We promote agricultural clothing to combat the warm temperatures. Tree leaves this naming tradition very closely as well, adding to the core areas, all of which are rooted in production and access to financial services for small- (or a piece of cloth) are tied around the waist, with the diverse nature of people’s names. the rights of the child: scale business development. We also work to increase torso bare. In the western high plateau, the grasslanders Child survival and development access to financial services by promoting non-agricultural wear full-length, handwoven gowns. Language Education and skills training income-generation activities. Although French and English are the official languages Sustainable rural livelihoods Diet and Nutrition of Cameroon, more than 239 other languages are Promoting the rights and dignity of the Baka tribe Promoting the rights and dignity of The diet of the people of Cameroon varies depending spoken in different regions of the country. Your letters the Baka tribe Child survival and development on the ethnic group. Staple foods that are common will be translated into your sponsored child’s own This program promotes the integration of the Bakas among most groups are millet and sorghum, prepared dialect and language. It is very likely that you will This program addresses health issues relating to children into mainstream Cameroonian society. The Bakas, forest in a paste-like form and served with vegetables and encounter a language barrier in communicating with age 5 and under, including malaria, malnutrition, dwellers who have until recently lived as hunters and meat sauce. Bilibili, a local beer brewed from millet, is a your sponsored child, as the majority of the children pneumonia, diarrhea, HIV and AIDS, and illnesses that gatherers, are slowly being introduced to education, popular drink in non-Muslim communities, while shai, a do not know enough English to write a letter. Those can be prevented with vaccines. We also aim to increase improved hygiene practices, agriculture, and modern local brand of tea, is a favorite drink of Muslims. In the who do not know English will be assigned community access to services for early childhood stimulation, health care. We work to empower the Bakas as they deal south, matango, white wine tapped from palm or raffia workers or volunteers who will explain your letters and increase early birth registration, and promote good with the challenges of integrating with the rest of society. palm trees, is a common drink. help the children compose their responses. hygiene and sanitation in families and communities. In