Photos Day 5- It's all about the People

This was our last full day in Tali. The agenda for the day included a Woman's Forum and Cultural Event. It was this day that we were fully immersed in the lifestyle of Tali, Cameroon.
Woman's ForumSpeakers: Sarah, Corrie, Cathy
Attendees: Women from Tali and the 59 surrounding villages
Purpose: Share our stories of being professional women leaders, the value of higher education, the balance of family and work life, and the importance of giving

At 10 am, we were served breakfast that included fried eggs with onions and tomatoes, sliced white bread, fresh pineapple, peppered coffee, local hot tea, Ovaltine/cocoa, and water.

After breakfast, Sarah, Cathy, and I (Corrie) were given traditional African dresses that were purchased by the local women. We changed into the dresses for the Woman's Forum, and drove a few minutes to the Tali 1 Town Hall. We arrived around 11:30 am. (The men stayed at the place of residence.)

Traditional African dresses given to us
The meeting room was not yet ready, and the women had just begun arriving. We were given chairs and asked to sit on the outside patio until the program was ready to begin. During this time, we were greeted and welcomed by women arriving. Each village had coordinated their dress attire to match. The women looked beautiful in the matching traditional dresses.

Attendees at the Woman's Forum

The school children were in uniform and very curious about us. I had brought silly bands with me, so I shared these with the children. For each shape given, I explained what it was and how it related to a professional career. For instance, a wrench would be used by a mechanic and an elephant might be protected by a ranger.

Government primary school children

By 2:30 pm, all the women were gathered in the hall and men had started filtering in. Finally, at 3 pm the Former Governor had given his approval to begin the Woman's Forum.

Sarah began by explaining how she was part owner of Schmidt Associates. She expanded by sharing what it was like to work at Schmidt Associates, how many employees we have, our training program, and the importance of servant leadership. I followed her up by explaining my role at Schmidt Associates, how I was raised on a farm, went to the university to get my masters while working and having a family at home, and sharing the importance of sending children to the university. Cathy closed for the group by telling the attendees about her role at CICF as an accountant and the importance of giving.

Once we were complete with our testimonies, the women had the opportunity to ask us questions. Some of the questions raised were:

• How can we raise money to send our children to university?
• Will electricity and better roads come to Tali with African University?
• Our cocoas are becoming damaged before they can be harvested; will African University develop better farming techniques?
• How much of the rainforest with African University take?
• Will there be employment opportunities for us and our children at African University?
• What language will classes be given in at African University?

We responded to their questions, and they presented us with several spices that a group of women had harvested in the rainforest. We were able to bring some of these back to the USA. Martin is planning to brew a beer with some of the spices.

Finally, William had brought along Verizon duffel bags as gifts for the women in attendance. We handed all the bags (about 150) out and ran out! William drove back to his place of residence and got more and we still ran out. For the women who did not get bags, Elizabeth served them lunch.

Women receiving bags
By 4 pm, the Forum was complete and the men (Wayne, Martin, David, and William) were whisked off to be dressed for the cultural event. Kathy, Sarah, and I were driven to a nearby community space. We were exhausted from the conditions and events earlier in the day. I saw our driver with a warm beer and immediately requested one for each of us. This was our first beer in Tali and very welcomed! Although warm, I have to say the beer was the most refreshing and best tasting I have ever had!

Sarah and I enjoying our beers

Cultural Event
30 minutes later, the men were dressed and we walked to where they were to take pictures before the cultural event started. Once complete, we were seated on the side of an open space before two buildings. The entire village had gathered for this event. Originally, we were to attend a cultural event that was put on for us, like theater. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we were honored to attend an event that would have taken place whether we were there or not.

Clutural dress for men

Chief elect-elect

By 7:30 pm, the pomp and circumstance was complete and the members of the club were absorbed in traditional activities in the clubhouse. The team was dismissed, and we headed back to our place of residence while in Tali.

At 9 pm, we were served 'lunch'. This included fried chicken and river fish, rice, tomato and green bean sauce, boiled yams and potatoes, fufu eru, fresh fruit, sodas, and water. After dinner, our stomachs were full and our bodies were in much needed rest. We retired to our rooms and packed for our departure the next day.

The event was a rite of passage for a man to be in line to become chief of the local club. Our understanding is that this club acts as a fraternity with rules of conduct, traditions, and a membership of only men. One of the rules of conduct is that a member cannot abuse a woman. The club has a current chief (who is the Former Governor that has been with us since day 2 of the journey), a chief elect, and a chief elect-elect. This event was to observe the selection of the chief elect-elect.

We were able to observe the phased entrance parade that welcomes a 7-year old boy to the clubhouse after spending 7 days in the bush learning the ways of the club.

Preparing for the trip

We have been steadily preparing for this trip over the past 3 months and it is now fast approaching. In 2 days, we will be aboard a flight headed to Atlanta - Paris - Douala, Cameroon. What have we been doing to prepare? Good question.

Our packing list includes everything from malaria pills to drawing markers. We have filled one entire suitcase with our supplies (markers, measurement tools, solar chargers, electricity converters, and so on) for the trip. Individually, we are packing clothes for 3 different types of occasions: field work in the jungle, meetings with diplomats, and travel days.

Yesterday, Martin purchased the book "Indianapolis Then and Now" as a gift for our host. Rain gear for our trip was just delivered to the office. We are continually scratching things off our list as they get delivered.

All of us have gotten medical shots. Today, some of us started taking diarrhea pills, and tomorrow all of us will begin taking malaria pills. We have purchased travelers insurance, and have informed our medical insurance that we will be traveling abroad.

I don't think any of us have packed yet. Most likely, we will be crossing the last items off our list on Saturday morning. We fly out at 5 pm.

Self Sustaining

Seldom, do we have the opportunity to design facilities that are completely self sustaining and/or 'off the grid.' The site for African University is located in the middle of a rain forest. Access to the site is currently via a footpath (as shown to the left). Existing resources to support a university campus are non-existent. Therefore, the African University facilities need to serve as a premiere example of how sustainable design and construction can be implemented.

Sustainability is a broad term. For us, sustainable means designing a facility that will endure time and consume minimal resources. Our team plans to implement sustainable construction methods via the building system design and site development. Building systems include the materials of the structure, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Preliminary ideas for these systems include the use of rain barrels, solar panels, wind turbines, large fan systems, and standby diesel generators.

Sustainable design will focus on selecting local building materials, conserving land and other natural resources, installing energy efficient materials, developing a responsible operations plan, and educating the community.

Knowing the extent of what materials are available and current construction methods are one of the goals of the trip ... which begins in only 6 days!

The Team

African University Foundation

William Agbor Baiyee, PhD,Chairman and Founder

Dr. William Agbor Baiyee emigrated from Cameroon to the United States after high school. He is an academic administrator at Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis. Faith and philanthropy are important to him. He enjoys reading and writing poetry. Dr. Baiyee is involved with several local and national civic and professional organizations including membership in the Rotary Club of Indianapolis.

 

David Williams Russell, Esq., Vice Chairman
David is a transactions and securities lawyer handling complex matters (including dispute resolution) in the U.S. and abroad at Harrison and Moberly. David also serves on the advisory board of the Supply Chain & Global Management Academy of the Kelley M.B.A. program at Indiana University, and holds a federal appointment as Chairman of the Indiana District Export Counsel.

Fun Fact: David is a published poet.

Cathy Davis, Treasurer

Cathy Davis is a Staff Accountant at the Central Indiana Community Foundation. Cathy also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Board of Directors and is actively involved with several civic organizations. Cathy sees African University as an excellent opportunity to provide students in Africa an opportunity to acquire an integrated experiential education to become leaders.

Schmidt Associates Team

Wayne Schmidt, Hon. D., FAIA

On July 4, 1976, Wayne celebrated his own “Independence Day” by opening a one-man architectural office. Armed with his undergraduate degree and $800 in savings, he launched into the world of business. Today, he serves as CEO/Principal of that firm—now one of the largest full-service architectural/engineering firms in the state. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis.

Fun Fact: Known for his red hat and distinctive ties

Sarah Hempstead, AIA, LEED AP

Although Sarah considered engineering in college, the creativity of architecture was a stronger draw. As a Principal and architect, she leads both the university and urban environment studios. Whether it’s on a college campus or in a downtown setting, she recognizes that architecture makes a strong impact, presenting the opportunity to enrich people’s lives. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis.

Fun Fact: Backpacked from Egypt to Ireland in 1997

Corrie Meyer, AICP, RLA, LEED AP

As an Urban Planner and Landscape Architect, Corrie enjoys working with motivated communities to turn their world around physically, economically, and emotionally. She believes that planning is a tool that successfully leads us into the future. The key is to plan for necessity, comfort, and the environment.

Fun Fact: Climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa in 2005

Martin Sams, LEEP AP

Milwaukee, WI is where Martin's love for architecture was fueled by living a mile from Santiago Calatrava’s iconic art museum pavilion. Seeing how forms from nature can be incorporated into the built environment has greatly influenced the way Martin approaches design.

Fun Facts: Enjoys reading and ancient Roman and Greek literature. Also, he thinks the word ‘waffle’ is the most fun to say.

Project Background—Building the Foundation

For several years, the African University Foundation has been formulating ideas, relationships, and plans to develop African University near the small village of Tali in Cameroon, Africa. Earlier this year, Schmidt Associates was selected to create a campus master plan for the new university. The private, non-profit university campus will provide excellence in education by:

• Providing excellent spaces for higher education and life-long learning
• Showcasing and living by the principles of sustainability, as well as the values of integrity, creativity, and excellence
• Being a premiere example of conservation
• Planning for a coherent and beautiful campus that respects the contextual environment

The 50-year Campus Master Plan preserves and reinforces the surrounding rain forest environment, develops and maintains a cohesive campus landscape, and sets the framework for future development in an orderly fashion.