25/08/2026
*WHAT I HEARD ABOUT DOUALA IN THE VILLAGE, AND WHAT I'M FACING TODAY*
In the village, they told us Douala is easy.
Every December, our brothers come back shining. Clean sneakers, loud speakers, pockets that make _shalala_ sound. They told us money is on the ground in Douala, you just bend and pick it.
I thought all my uncles in Douala were rich.
The night before I traveled, I did not sleep. I woke at 3am thinking it was 5am. I promised my kid sister a computer. I promised my mama a mini supermarket. That whole week, nobody could annoy me. My level was about to change.
My whole family followed me to the park. When you enter Guarantee Express, everybody knows you are going far. I told my mama, "Mama I will make you proud." She cried. I cried too.
We traveled all day from Nkambe to Bamenda and from Bamenda to Douala all night. At 5:30am, Bonaberi heat welcomed us. I looked outside expecting heaven. What I saw?
Plank houses everywhere. Water flowing on the road, people walking inside it. Cows eating trash. In my village in Nkambe, cows eat grass. In Douala, cows eat trash.
I arrived at my "rich" uncle's house. Plank house. No car parked. I was confused. So this is the mansion they show us in December pictures?
They gave me bread, egg and tea. In the village only the rich eat that. I ate and slept.
I woke up at 10:30am hungry. In the village we eat 3 times a day. I waited for 12pm food. No food. 2pm, no food. At 3pm aunty asked if I am hungry, "how can she be asking such a question at this time" that was what was in my mind. I said yes am hungry, she removed something from the fridge and warmed it. That was the food for the whole day till next morning.
That was when hunger started teaching me.
In Douala, it is easier for someone to buy you a bottle of b**r than to give you food. I started missing home bad. Missing fufu corn and hot kati kati, eating as you like. But how will I go back? Going back was not an option. After all the promises? After telling everybody I'm going to make it? How will I face my mother and my kid sister? How will I face the girl who made me promise her not to date any Douala girl?
You cannot go home empty handed Kunga Leonard. The shame is bigger than hunger.
So you stay. You learn French by force. You learn to drink gari at night or bread and chocolate and smile in the morning. You learn to say "I'm managing" when you are actually drowning.
8 years now in Douala. I have not yet bought that computer for my sister. I have not yet opened that supermarket for my mama. I have not yet rewritten my family story.
But I am still here. Still hustling. One step at a time. Still believing.
If you are from Misaje, Ako, Nkambe, Ndu, Kumbo, Jakiri — my brother, Douala is not what they told us. Douala is not gold. Douala is sweat. But if you have the heart, the patients you will make it. Say no discipline to yourself. Don't lose focus. Every one will definitely make it at Gods time.
My dear friends, what did they tell YOU about Douala before you came? Share your own story in the comments. Let's tell the truth to our younger ones.*
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