AKUM, Cameroon, May 3, 2013 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Cameroon Partnership in Development today announces a program, Cameroon Cultural Travelling and Volunteering, started by Anja Schwarz from Germany, an adventure traveler interested in cultures, who prefers experiencing another culture as a member of that community, and in the process, finds opportunities to transform lives in communities in need.
Anja Swartz is Empowering Rural Villages in Santa Division, North West Region, Cameroon through a program that combines Village Cultural Heritage Preservation, and Volunteerism to build up a global partnership towards achieving sustainable development and livelihood opportunities for the people and a fulfilling experience for volunteers.
Last November 2012, Anja Schwarz spent four weeks in the rural villages of Akum and Baligham , empowering the villagers, especially women examine their cultural heritage assets and figure out rural cultural tourism offerings and volunteering opportunities for national and international travelers.
By promoting Cultural Heritage travel, they show tourists the local culture and traditions, food and cooking techniques, folklore, art and lifestyle of their villages. Revenue from the Cultural Heritage tourism industry expands livelihood opportunities and sustainable development, building schools, water projects, improved housing, wellness and nutrition and access to health care.
Cameroon Partnership in Development is partnering with Cameroon Cultural Travelling and Volunteering, an alliance that will provide volunteering solutions to an array of volunteers: students, faith-based groups, corporations, retirees, researchers, who are looking to contribute to local grassroots development initiatives and cultural tour packages for adventure travelers seeking an authentic cultural immersive experience.
The Cameroon Partnership in Development, International Volunteerism component will function as a platform where volunteers and adventure travellers will access volunteering opportunities, tour packages, exchange ideas, success stories and customized program design services.
What is particularly unique and innovative about Cameroon Cultural Travelling and Volunteering program? It has been designed from Anja Schwarz's experience living among the rural villagers as a volunteer and adventure traveller, participating in the daily village life activities such as, farm work, food preparation, and working with kids and women with disabilities.
Anja Schwarz's volunteer experience includes work in South America and recently Thailand where she skated 1,000 km to raise cash for the Baan San Fan Orphanage in southern Thailand.
"We thought of the 14 children at the orphanage and the need to expand to accommodate 40 children and that is how the skate challenge was born."
"I think we wanted to give something back to Thailand for being such a great host country to us," explained Anja.
"I want to tell you about my amazing travel experiences living in the North West Region of Cameroon. Whether you are a traveler just passing by or a long time volunteer, you are welcome to visit us here in Baligham or Akum every time!" said Anja (http://cameroonnorthwestculturaltourism.wordpress.com ).
"My mission is to support these large number of individual and development associations together with CPID ( cameroonpartnershipindevelopment.org ) to build up a global partnership towards achieving sustainable development in order to improve their livelihoods for their families and to contribute positively to the economic and political situation in the country," adds Anja.
"We are empowered and hopeful, as a result of Anja's trip," remarks Henrietta Galabe who is coordinating rural village homestays in Akum and Baligham villages for volunteers and adventure travellers.
"The various villages are looking to start or enhance their unique cultural assets: Folk Art and Crafts, Music, traditional cuisine, festivals," adds Henrietta.
About Cameroon Partnership in Development:
The purpose of Cameroon Partnership in Development (CPID) is to act as an umbrella of support for the large number of development associations and individuals in Cameroon, and inspire them to be involved in an informed, coordinated and effective way of service delivery, project development, and building partnership links in Cameroon and globally through skills training workshops, seminars, conferences and innovative forums that build their capacity to be better global partners in Sustainable Development
Our mission is to foster mutually beneficial links between Cameroon and globally, and encourage the development of sustainable projects in Cameroon to strengthen their livelihoods so that they can better provide for their families and country. More information: http://www.cameroonpartnershipindevelopment.org/ .
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