Survival Instincts

Idle minds have no place in this sprawling business city.

Everyone develops some creative skills. Unemployment has been the cry of most youths today. Thousands of job-seekers roam streets in the country. Each year over 5,000 students graduate from State universities into the job market. Many have been frustrated and turned to stealing. Yet others have put off their degree coats to create jobs for themselves, no matter how mean they may be. All is done in an effort to survive. Many youths in Douala fall into this category. For someone who visits Doaual for the first time, everybody seems to be involved in one business or the other.
The streets are very busy in the morning as people rise up early and begin to rush to either catch up with clients or get their hands on just anything that can fetch money. The hustle and bustle is characteristic of young men and women who retail goods, offer cheap services or serve as intermediaries in several businesses. The streets are usually crowded, especially the pedestrian walks, as people stream to work, the market and other business centres. It is like time is against everybody.
As for the traffic congestion, Douala has it stole. Even those who have little time to, spare on the way are usually bogged down. People do all kinds of jobs to survive as long as they can make a living. One thing is however, unique among Douala’s business community. People try to just anything to make money and not wait for white collar jobs which are not only rare but are least remunerated.
Alain Georges Nyemb sells pilled pineapples along the streets in Bonanjo. He is a graduate from the University of Douala with a degree in Economics. He said he graduated four years ago but could not find a job to fend on for himself, parents and younger ones at home. “I decided to get into this business because I could not realise my dream of picking up a well-paid job in one of the big companies in Bassa”, he said.
As such he pulls a cart of pineapple slices every day from one part of the town to the other. And so like thousands of youths in Douala, he makes a living. How decent this may be is another story. But life goes on. Youths in Douala are generally creative. Many are in the call box telephone business along the streets. Others raise some capital and buy motorbikes used in transporting people and goods from one part of the town to the other.

Even cold water sold in small plastic bags of cups can be the source of living in city where temperatures often soar over 30 degrees Celsius. Along the streets a cup of water is CFA 10 FRS. It may seem very insignificant for a visitor.
But by the end of the day, kids in this business usually return home with several coins that add up to something significant.If one marvels at those who sell water, then it may be even more awesome when they meet shoe shines.
The dexterous manner in which they usually do the job really attracts many onlookers. In spite of all the efforts many inhabitants put in to irk a living, the men of the underworld also struggle for a place. And often, their activity derails those who sincerely make an effort to earn their living honestly. They reap from where they do not sow. Theft is also rife in Douala. No single day goes by without someone complaining about theft or burglary here or there. This causes a lot of insecurity in the town.
There are also pickpockets and handbag snatchers. They do it in broad day light and escape. This is common with street children. Anybody coming to Douala for the first time must therefore guard against this kind of people.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO