Frequently requested information - FAQ's

How can I support This Mental Health Clinic in Cameroon?

1.  100% of all donations go to this non-profit NGO in Bamenda, Cameroon, West Africa.  You make a donation on EBay, Amazon, and PayPal.  You will receive a tax deductible receipt from those entities for Living Vine Mental Health Ministries, Inc.  Simply search their website for Living Vine Mental Health Ministries or "how to make a charitable donation" for instructions.  You may also find periodic fundraisers for Living Vine on Face Book sponsored by various individuals involved in our work in Cameroon.
2. You can send your donation by check or money order made payable to: Living Vine Mental Health Ministries, Inc c/o Bank 1403 S. Rooselvelt, Burlington, IA 52601.  The Bank Phone number is (319) 753-2265 and their website address: http://www.bank.bank/  For a tax deductible receipt please send your name, address, amount given and phone number to livingvineus@gmail.com  As Administrative Manager she will send you a receipt for the verified amount given.
3. Visit our Donate page for more information.

Is it possible to arrange a service trip to work at this mental health clinic?

Yes. Under normal conditions.  A fair number of people have already participated in such trips.  Currently the Northwest Province of Cameroon which is Anglophone, and a part of the newly declared nation of Ambazonia, is at war with Cameroon.  To travel to Cameroon, or in this case Ambazonia, you must have a current passport and apply for a Visa.  Participants are expected to pay for their arrangements including air transportation to Douala International Airport, and those "in-country" expenses arranged for you: ground transport, meals, lodging, laundry, use of Internet cafes, mobile phone service (phones with a sim card can simply buy a sim card upon arrival.  Cost is about $5 for the card and then airtime which is quite reasonable), other personal items or extras you might need.  Living Vine Ministries will make no money from your trip, we are just pleased with your interest and desire to get involved.  For more information contact the U.S. Director Jennifer Trocke as shown above.

What is the climate in Bamenda, where the clinic is located and what language is spoken?

Bamenda is located in the Northwest Province of Cameroon, which is just east of Nigeria.

The climate in Bamenda is very mild.  The altitude is high so the nights are quite cool.  Their "seasons" are primarily two: Dry Season and Rainy Season.  The roads are often in poor repair, with large sections in dirt creating a lot of dust in the dry season and mud in the wet season.  Paved roads are often riddled with potholes (deep ones), and the pavement is often washed out in areas.

The Anglophone region's official language is English, but French is also taught in schools.  The "trade" language used by everyday Cameroonians is a language called, "Pigeon English."  Understanding Pigeon takes some adjustment since it is a combination of English and local descriptive phrases that lacks a solid grammatical form.  Don't worry. The staff speak English quite well and Pigeon dictionaries are available for those interested in direct communication with patients and city folks.

What type of fruit and food does Cameroon produce?

Traveling from the airport to Bamenda, you will see some of the most beautiful scenery.  You will be glad to get out of the city of Douala, since it is located on the ocean shoreline and is very, very humid and hot. The six-hour ride by car to Bamenda will take you through huge rubber, palm oil and banana plantations.  Edibles grown include papaya, apples, bananas, pineapple, mango ground nuts (peanuts), field corn that they eat like sweet corn roasted over a charcoal fire pit, etc.  The mainstay of most Cameroonians is Foo Foo and Njama Njama.  Often eaten for two or even three meals a day, Njama Njama is a spinach type of food grown on bushes and made from the leaves which are cooked in palm oil.  Foo Foo is a crushed white corn mixed with boiling water and rolled into large balls before eating.  Chicken, beef and fish are extras that most cannot afford although they are plentiful in the markets and restaurants along with chicken eggs.