So I believe somewhere on this blog I had mentioned that I will be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro along with my friend and fellow volunteer Caleb Hawkins, while raising money for our literacy project, Climb Kili for Literacy, in the process. The fundraising was basically headed by my sister Hiba, who also made this boss website...
http://climbkiliforlit.weebly.com/
I'm proud to announce that we have already met our $8,000 fundraising goal! The money will go towards creating libraries and purchasing textbooks in the region. Our trip will take place from July 6th to the 17th. We plan on taking the more challenging 6-day Machame route up the mountain then perhaps taking a quick trip to Zanzibar afterwards. I'm stoked! I have been training of course but will need to pick up the pace as the climb is less than a month away.
Now, about the GMAT. This exam is required to apply to MBA programs and is taken into heavy consideration. It took a good amount of time and energy to prepare for the exam as I needed a very high score to be competitive for top programs. There is a very long story associated with this which culminates into me having to fly to London last-minute to take this exam due to typical 3rd world complications here in Cameroon. Fortunately I did well! I stayed in London an extra week with my cousins and their families; it was fantastic. They fed me till I couldn't breathe which is good since I showed up in London looking like a Sahelian cow at the end of dry season. I then briefly stopped in Paris on the way back. It was my first time there and I was impressed! Gorgeous city... don't tell the French I said that though. I just got back and can't believe how fast my trip just flew by. Furthermore, I can't believe I have only 5 months left here in Cameroon!
I also successfully completed my 2nd business training seminar during the last few months. In this seminar, about 65 microentrepreneurs registered for the course and 40 of them successfully graduated. I was also interviewed about the seminar on national TV again, and this time I bumbled slightly less than last. I must say it was a lot easier the second time around and definitely less stressful. The demand for the training program has increased drastically and people are constantly contacting me to sign up for the next one. One aid organization has even required that members take my course in order to qualify for financing! We will probably offer one more seminar, after which I hope the Ministry of Small and Medium Sized Enterprise will be able to run it on their own. I actually have confidence that they will, as they have been incredible throughout the process..
Now, about the GMAT. This exam is required to apply to MBA programs and is taken into heavy consideration. It took a good amount of time and energy to prepare for the exam as I needed a very high score to be competitive for top programs. There is a very long story associated with this which culminates into me having to fly to London last-minute to take this exam due to typical 3rd world complications here in Cameroon. Fortunately I did well! I stayed in London an extra week with my cousins and their families; it was fantastic. They fed me till I couldn't breathe which is good since I showed up in London looking like a Sahelian cow at the end of dry season. I then briefly stopped in Paris on the way back. It was my first time there and I was impressed! Gorgeous city... don't tell the French I said that though. I just got back and can't believe how fast my trip just flew by. Furthermore, I can't believe I have only 5 months left here in Cameroon!
I also successfully completed my 2nd business training seminar during the last few months. In this seminar, about 65 microentrepreneurs registered for the course and 40 of them successfully graduated. I was also interviewed about the seminar on national TV again, and this time I bumbled slightly less than last. I must say it was a lot easier the second time around and definitely less stressful. The demand for the training program has increased drastically and people are constantly contacting me to sign up for the next one. One aid organization has even required that members take my course in order to qualify for financing! We will probably offer one more seminar, after which I hope the Ministry of Small and Medium Sized Enterprise will be able to run it on their own. I actually have confidence that they will, as they have been incredible throughout the process..
On a completely random note. My memory card with all my pictures of Cameroon got completely wiped clean a couple months ago :( I will try and make up for it in these last few months. Stay tuned
