About Buea
Buea is the capital of the Southwest Region of Cameroon. Buea and its surrounding environs comprise over 120,000 people, although most towns have a quaint feel. Buea is a picturesque and laid-back region whose main recreational activities include hiking, swimming (in nearby Limbe), and other sports. Buea is located on Mount Cameroon, an active volcano that can be hiked at any time of the year. Buea is a university town, home to many schools of higher education, including the University of Buea, considered the best public university in the country. Although most of Cameroon is francophone, Buea is located in one of Cameroon’s two anglophone provinces. The ability to speak English is critical, while French is a bonus. Many locals also speak pidgin, the local dialect.
For additional activities, Doula, the main economic hub of Cameroon, is approx. one hour by car. Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, is approx. five hours by car (less by train).
To learn more about the city of Buea where you will live and work, please click here.
We suggest browsing a guidebook on Cameroon before arriving. The CIA World Factbook and the CDC’s online website are also good resources to know how to prepare before arriving. You can, of course, always email us with questions and concerns.
Work in Cameroon
HINT offers opportunities for volunteers to people from all over the world. Our flexible programs can be designed for student internship, professional work experience, and short-term or long-term visits. We encourage volunteers who intend to interact with the community to gain an understanding of a typical African community at the grassroots level.
HINT does not impose any stringent program or task on its volunteers, but will help to facilitate the volunteer’s stay in Cameroon by providing the necessary contacts and data needed by the volunteer in his/her area of specialization throughout the volunteer’s visit. Long-term volunteers are typically expected to work from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday – Friday, with a two hour break for lunch and rest each day. These suggested work hours are flexible.
Accommodations
We will provide a modest, clean, and safe housing facility for the volunteer.
The volunteer has his/her own room in the family house with his/her own bathroom (unless the bathroom were shared with another volunteer). The bedrooms provided include at least a bed, bedding and wardrobes. Some rooms include a desk, tv, etc. The bedrooms are quite spacious.
We can also arrange for hotel facilities or private residence if preferred.
With some financial assistance from the volunteer, we will provide all meals on a daily basis (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). In our culture, lunch is the heavy meal while most people may just eat a snack or some fruits for dinner. Tea and coffee is available at all times. Accommodations can be made for dietary restrictions.
We arrange transportation of the volunteer from the airport to the place of residence and work and also can organize some visits to touristic sites with assistance of the volunteer depending on the distance to be covered.
We will make sure that the volunteer is safe until his/her departure from Cameroon.