Internship with NKONG HILL TOP (NCIG) during summer was very fascinating for me', says Kristen Shubert.

Follow link to view short movie of interview.

Kristen Schubert is an American scholar of the Johns Hopkins University who took-up a two-month internship with NKONG HILL TOP-BUEA during Summer 2009, that is July and August. Kristen was interviewed by the Communications $ Resource Officer, Njonguo Edwin, of Nkong Hill Top.

Excerpts of interview with Kristen during her stay at NCIG:

Edwin : How did u get to know about Nkong Hill Top?

Kristen : I got to know of NCIG through a friend of mine who had been to Cameroon for AIESEC traineeship. I was looking forward to internship in sub-sahara Africa and he strongly recommended NCIG after telling me a lot of stories about NCIG. In communicating with the Delegate of NCIG, Vincent Anu, he was very enthusiastic and always quick with responding to mails. I further visited the NCIG website and saw in their annual reports, a lot of their activities carried out. Nkong Hill Top stood-out amongst the organisations I researched on.

Edwin : What were your expectations prior to visiting NCIG?

Kristen : Taking from all the results that I got in the research I did, I, of course, expected NCIG to be a very hardworking organisation, especially considering their achievements on the ground so far.

Edwin : So, did NCIG meet your expectations?

Kristen : Oh! I am well impressed with what I have seen in the organisation. The staff are hardworking, punctual and always very regular. I must say Vincent (Delegate of NCIG) is incredible – I don't know from where he gets his energy.

Edwin : What strengths have you noticed at NCIG during your two months' internship?

Kristen : I, at least, speak from my perspective, from the reputation of NCIG in the communities and from the general impression of everyone, especially after talking with other volunteers and partners of NCIG, that NCIG is known for not being a corrupt organisation; employees are regularly paid and in time, which is sometimes not exactly something that is happening here in Cameroon; and like I said, the staff are hardworking, regular and punctual. Having a permanent head office and field office as well as extension officers keeps NCIG very firm on the ground. Everyone is quite positive about NCIG. It was very fascinating to meet some of the beneficiaries of the NCIG micro credit scheme who attested to the way the micro loan has changed their lives. Even more fascinating for me than getting it from the staff and reading from reports was meeting the beneficiaries in a one-to-one interview.

Edwin : You have been sounding very positive about NCIG; does it mean you did not find any weaknesses in the organisation?

Kristen : Of course, and like in any other organisation, at least there are some weaknesses. I can say that the organisation is just getting into information technology (IT), hence still has some problems with the computer networking at the head office.

Edwin : Any recommendations from you for NCIG

Kristen : Probably and as earlier mentioned, just for NCIG to focus on IT competency, bring in experts who can train on software and networking, as well as work with the staff in order to give them the needed mastery.

Edwin : If there is one thing you want to say NCIG has given you, what would that be?

Kristen : It's hard to say if it is limited to one because my stay here was very rich. The general experience has been wonderful. NCIG provided a platform for me to learn, and now I know that you just cannot use European techniques and implement them in Africa , considering cultural and other differences.

Edwin : Was it NCIG that made you choose Cameroon or was it Cameroon that made you choose NCIG?

Kristen : It was more NCIG that made me choose Cameroon and not the reverse. I spent a lot of time looking for international internships and, with the recommendation of my friend, I researched further on NCIG, hence my choice.

Edwin : How did you like Cameroon ?

Kristen : I really liked Cameroon . The people are peaceful, hospitable, nice friendly and curious. The food is also very good and spicy – I like ‘okro' soup.

Edwin : What did you not like about Cameroon ?

Kristen : Compared to her neighbours, I think Cameroon is doing quite well but it is not a secret that there are some problems with governance and obviously corruption.

Edwin : What last word?

Kristen : I can say I only hope I have given NCIG as much as NCIG has given me. It's a great job NCIG is doing so I encourage them to keep it up, “Small small catch monkey”.

Edwin : Thank you for granting this interview. NCIG wishes you the best in your endeavours.

Kristen : I am grateful to NCIG for accepting me. This is a permanent relationship that has just been established.

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