Life in Bekoko Community
René Samuel Mpome
Fotos by Hannah Baldauf & Tristan Crampe
Cameroon
Every community has different everyday ways and cultural mores. To get to know Bekoko community life, it pays to know certain challenges inhabitants, especially youths of Bekoko, faced. For instance: the desire of young generation for a change to modern life and the old bosses who do not want to lose power.
It is a normal lifestyle in Bekoko that power is not transferred to the younger generation by old bosses when time is due. Bekoko old native believes so much in many traditional and ancient way of living which is opposed by younger generation.
There are so many cultural more adherence in Bekoko, the old bosses do not see need for a change to modern life, technological advances, they do not go on retirement and they still prioritize traditional medicine over conventional medicine.
Bekoko is made up of almost 70 per cent of young people, 70 per cent of people who are looking for a better living. The community is essentially rural and the only way to make a living is through farming, which unfortunately can not provide much to this generation of young people who aspire to a modern life. Some of this generation went to school and are ready to make this change happen.
Some companies are opening their doors in Bekoko neighbourhood, which means a possibility for that generation to make a change, and upgrade to a better living. The access to a job in those companies is compromised by the presence of the old bosses who are not ready to accept seing the younger generation taking a new life. The opportunitioes are therefore taken.
Young native of Bekoko community believe it is their fundamental responsability to fight for a change to a modern life, to a good quality education. Many have to leave their family to try to get something in Douala. They have access to quality education and some get a well paid job and can change their living standard.
The old bosses of Bekoko are generally and greatly influenced by their traditions. It has a pervasive role and all the life is wrapped up to the tradition. Traditions rounds up totally the culture, a person does need any special instruction or education. He picks it up as he grows up and begin to participate in the communal rituals and ceremonies. Old bosses of Bekoko think that young people of Bekoko should inherit that way of living and do the same.
Nowadays, there is a big fight between the young people of Bekoko and their parents and grand parents.This generational conflict makes the life in Bekoko not enjoyable for the natives. Recently the chief of Bekoko himself was call by the Mungo divisional officer because the youth complained about him selling a very big land without thinking of them, their future.
The generational conflict makes that the young peoples of Bekoko who are capable of developing the village move from Bekoko to establish in Douala where they can earn a better living.
It is a normal lifestyle in Bekoko that power is not transferred to the younger generation by old bosses when time is due. Bekoko old native believes so much in many traditional and ancient way of living which is opposed by younger generation.
There are so many cultural more adherence in Bekoko, the old bosses do not see need for a change to modern life, technological advances, they do not go on retirement and they still prioritize traditional medicine over conventional medicine.
Bekoko is made up of almost 70 per cent of young people, 70 per cent of people who are looking for a better living. The community is essentially rural and the only way to make a living is through farming, which unfortunately can not provide much to this generation of young people who aspire to a modern life. Some of this generation went to school and are ready to make this change happen.
Some companies are opening their doors in Bekoko neighbourhood, which means a possibility for that generation to make a change, and upgrade to a better living. The access to a job in those companies is compromised by the presence of the old bosses who are not ready to accept seing the younger generation taking a new life. The opportunitioes are therefore taken.
Young native of Bekoko community believe it is their fundamental responsability to fight for a change to a modern life, to a good quality education. Many have to leave their family to try to get something in Douala. They have access to quality education and some get a well paid job and can change their living standard.
The old bosses of Bekoko are generally and greatly influenced by their traditions. It has a pervasive role and all the life is wrapped up to the tradition. Traditions rounds up totally the culture, a person does need any special instruction or education. He picks it up as he grows up and begin to participate in the communal rituals and ceremonies. Old bosses of Bekoko think that young people of Bekoko should inherit that way of living and do the same.
Nowadays, there is a big fight between the young people of Bekoko and their parents and grand parents.This generational conflict makes the life in Bekoko not enjoyable for the natives. Recently the chief of Bekoko himself was call by the Mungo divisional officer because the youth complained about him selling a very big land without thinking of them, their future.
The generational conflict makes that the young peoples of Bekoko who are capable of developing the village move from Bekoko to establish in Douala where they can earn a better living.
about the author
Samuel (“Samy”) René Mpome, 36, born in Bekoko (close to Douala, Cameroon).
Since 2019 he is employed with the local NGO Hope and Life Cameroun.
This NGO cooperates with several European organisations to raise money and materials.
Hope and Life Cameroun set up a Medical Center in 2019.
Lacking a hospital in the area, the Medical Center supports the local population with basic medical treatments. Samy Mpome is head of administration and operative: staff, equipment, logistics, electricity, water, local authorities.
He is also involved in various projects (schooling for 500-800 refugee children, health campaigns).
He is engaged in the local communities (set-up of a public library, water for public school, anti-malaria campaign, waste management, sports for children, healthy nutrition…).
Samuel (“Samy”) René Mpome, 36, born in Bekoko (close to Douala, Cameroon).
Since 2019 he is employed with the local NGO Hope and Life Cameroun.
This NGO cooperates with several European organisations to raise money and materials.
Hope and Life Cameroun set up a Medical Center in 2019.
Lacking a hospital in the area, the Medical Center supports the local population with basic medical treatments. Samy Mpome is head of administration and operative: staff, equipment, logistics, electricity, water, local authorities.
He is also involved in various projects (schooling for 500-800 refugee children, health campaigns).
He is engaged in the local communities (set-up of a public library, water for public school, anti-malaria campaign, waste management, sports for children, healthy nutrition…).