Mexican Volunteer: Cameroon’s Rainforest Is Safe For Conservation Expeditions

Hello, my name is Ana Paula de la Garza. I’m from Mexico City in Mexico. I have always wanted to do something valuable with my life; to do something for our planet; to contribute to the conservation of endangered animal species in Africa because if we don’t do that now, we will not have them in the future. This is what motivated me and I went out in search of a programme that could help me realize this.

After reading so many volunteering programmes around and in Africa, I found this one very interesting because it was designed in such a way that one would have to spend all the expedition in the rainforest. So I thought it would be a great experience sleeping in the rainforest, waking up in the rainforest and tracking large mammals in the same natural environment. I saw it as an expedition that will make one have a true feeling of the natural environment, and learn more about the rainforest by being there.

When I shared this information with my family members and announced my coming to Cameroon, everybody was like, “take me with you!”

I had no idea about the area I was going; I just saw the pictures online and imagined everything green, the mountains – I was just excited about living the experience.

My desire is to enjoy this environment, to learn something about conservation and to share with some other people; contribute towards a balanced planet, a green planet. I like adventure and just hope to enjoy everything. I hope to take part in surveys that will assist to establish trends for the conservation of endangered mammals in the rainforest.

Contrary to media reports, I think the expedition area is absolutely secured. I think there is no need for people to be scared of any insecurity because the expedition site is very far away from the regions where you have the Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

I just arrived; I think the place is safe. Everybody is so hospitable and I think everything is fine. I feel safe and so happy.