Djalo Wakou Noel, a field facilitator with the "Ecosysteme du Nord Cameroun, EcoNorCam: Vers une approche intégrée du paysage" project, has shared his experiences working with vulnerable communities in the North Region of Cameroon. His interest in supporting and assisting vulnerable communities and people was inspired by a United Nations Refugee Agency brochure when he was 10 years old. This interest grew when the Boko Haram security crisis began in the Far North Region. Noel decided to pursue a career in social sciences to assist suffering people.
Before joining the EcoNorCam project, Noel was a Law graduate collaborating with a lawyer. He undertook training in social sciences and applied for the field facilitator position after seeing a job advert. To succeed in this role, one needs prior qualifications, including a Master's degree in Social Sciences. The position demands versatility, openness to learning, and adaptability. Noel works an average of 45 hours a week, including road delays and time spent on reports and planning at home.
As a field project facilitator, Noel carries out various activities, including awareness-raising, training, and monitoring. He educates people on the production and use of organic fertilizers, supported by practical training, and trains them on restoring degraded soils using methods like Zai, bunds, and agro-forestry. The project also focuses on renewable energy, such as producing and using improved firesides to reduce pressure on protected areas like the Benue National Park.
Noel faces several challenges, including mobilizing community people during the farming season and gold mining period. Insecurity, poor road conditions, and traveling long distances, averaging 150 km daily, are also significant challenges. Despite these challenges, Noel believes that civic-mindedness is essential for any development worker in the community, requiring consideration of local context, habits, customs, and religion.
The EcoNorCam project aims to promote sustainable development and conservation in the North Region of Cameroon. As a field facilitator, Noel works closely with local communities to implement project activities. He highlights the importance of community engagement and participation in project implementation. Effective communication and collaboration with stakeholders are crucial to project success.
Noel's role requires him to be dynamic and able to work in difficult conditions under pressure. He must have good knowledge of the area, mastery of local languages, and be able to adapt quickly. The project covers various sectors, including agriculture, market gardening, and renewable energy. Noel's work contributes to improving the livelihoods of local communities and promoting sustainable development.
The field facilitator position requires a high level of specialization, and Noel believes that it is not easy for someone in natural resource governance to move to another job. He emphasizes the need for development workers to be committed to their work and consider the context, habits, and customs of the communities they work with. The project's impact is expected to be long-term, and Noel is committed to contributing to its success.
Key points
- Djalo Wakou Noel's work focuses on promoting sustainable development and conservation in the North Region of Cameroon.
- The EcoNorCam project aims to improve the livelihoods of local communities through various activities, including agriculture, market gardening, and renewable energy.
- Noel emphasizes the importance of considering local context, habits, customs, and religion in development work.
