The informal economy

For any individual to spend a significant amount of time away from family and friends is very trying. There are any number of emotional and physical support mechanisms that are no longer available, once they take this step. What’s even nobler is the fact that these persons are entering into a situation that nothing in their lives could’ve prepared them for. Absolutely nothing.

This fact became even more obvious when I really began to understand why there’s very little if any development in Cameroon. Earlier on I said it was because development is a mindset, and until there is a certain vision (or mindset) nothing would change.
 
My definition of it being a mindset, I believe, is still valid. However, as we were sitting in a bush taxi waiting to return to Foumban, I realized the developmental problem is a direct result of a lack of “systems.” Of course I don’t mean anything related to technology or something physical.

Early on in my professional career when I directed youth-oriented programs, I was taught that for certain things to exist or take place one has to develop and implement a system by which all activities, expectations or achievements would be based.

Am I rambling? Probably, but until you’re able to sit in what is considered a developing nation, you won’t fully understand. For instance, we were sitting in the Moungo van waiting to return to Foumban and began speculating about what could happen if the owner or manager decided to develop and implement a schedule of when their vans would leave for Foumban.

This would be a revolutionary act, no doubt, but one that could develop much greater rewards in the long run. The first month or so, they may lose a little money, simply because the vans would leave prior to filling. However, once folks knew they could arrive at a certain time and catch a designated van to get home, I’m quite sure there would be a number of individuals who would “flock” to the agency.

Of course there would need to be parameters put in place so the drivers don’t continually stop along the road to pick up a fare for some extra pocket money. But once this was under control, the agency could begin to develop the reputation of providing reliable and timely transportation.

Unless a system is put in place there can really be no development. Yeah one can have the idea, but what will that matter if there is no plan that can be followed? What would it matter if what has been achieved can’t be duplicated?

There are any number of systems that can be implemented for Cameroon, and Africa for that matter, to move into the 21st century with the rest of the world. Corrupt governments could be eliminated, not totally, but at least it would be so discouraged officials would have to move into another line of work if they wished to keep up their lavish lifestyle.

But actually, the type of system I’m probably referring to has more to do with changing a peoples mindset, as opposed to how something will operate. During one of my workshops, early on, we were given information on how to use a set plan (curriculum in our case) and apply it to a specific process to receive the desired outcome.

What would need to be done here? First, people have to be conditioned, persuaded or whatever, that corruption and the acceptance of it, does nothing to help anyone. It’s almost as if folks are willing to sit back and watch something corrupt occur in their face. How?

Like on our ride home, the driver would occasionally stop to pick up a new passenger after dropping one off. At one stop he picked up a gentleman who needed to move to the back row. Well he didn’t realize where he needed to sit and took someone’s seat. The guy told him he needed to move to the back. However, instead of everyone getting out and allowing him to move back (partially because the driver started moving the van); he was only able to move to our row, where he appeared to want to sit down.

My immediate response was “Aw, no, no, no, no, no!” I wasn’t directly affected by him standing there, but he couldn’t sit on our row, and for him to move further back the young lady on the end had to get out so he could sit on the back row. However, since the impatient driver couldn’t wait, no one could get out so he could move back. So where did he go? He stood; right in front of the young lady.

This irritated Akilah and I so much, that she began talking about how idiotic this was and really expressing some anger; all in english. By the time she was done (two minutes later), we were quite sure more people than let on to it, understood her. How could everyone allow the driver to just place someone in front of two women, and drive off. Not just place, but allow him to stand!

Wasn’t much I could do since I’m linguistically handicapped, but there were several others who could’ve done something to make sure some type of justice was served. But instead, what was done was casually accepted and everyone rode on quietly. Maybe I’m just a spoiled American brat, but I’m definitely not into allowing someone to get over, especially if there’s a direct affect on me!

All during our ride we heard what originally sounded like the cries of a child. Since there was a little girl in the front row, we thought it was she. However, as I began paying more attention to the cries, I noticed they were muffled. Could someone have a baby or child in a bag? No. Did someone forget their child in a bag on the roof (as Akilah thought for a brief moment)? No.

What was that darn noise! And why was everyone ignoring it like it was a normal thing. We only heard it as we went down hills or around curves. It would start off as a cry then a little louder as a yell, but it was muffled so I knew it wasn’t in the van. Finally, I realized what was going on, there was an animal tied somewhere. But where?

By the time we arrived in Foumban, our question was answered. The driver was on the roof of the van handing down luggage and packages from the top. As Akilah and I sat inside the van, I saw a pair of hooves on the side window, then the body of a baby goat as the driver handed the package to a gentleman. Someone was transporting a goat!? On top of a van? From the looks of it, the animal had gotten out of the flimsy basket that was used as its cage, but couldn’t get far, because it was tied to something.

What the heck! What would an animal rights group say to something like that? During the trip when we realized what was going on, Akilah again made a loud outburst. Essentially she stated that for now on when someone asks why she’s a vegetarian, her response will simply be that no one has the right to make another being or animal suffer. No one! What was amusing as I reflected on her words while watching the animal being lowered to the ground, was that it belonged to the woman who was sitting just in front of us for the entire trip. I’m quite sure she understood what was said.

Systems. For anyone interested in the development of anything, a system has to be implemented in order to achieve the desired results.