A year of partnership planning with the Cameroon Cricket Federation (FECACRICKET) has paid off as we set off for CWB's maiden voyage to Cameroon on 9th November. Country Manager Jo North Clarke guides us through Cameroons vital stats and gives an insight on what the team will be up to.

Cameroon - 'Africa in Minature'

Known as 'Africa in Minature' because of its geological and cultural diversity, Cameroon is situated on Central-West coast of Africa. Historically split between the French and British Colonists, Cameroon became independent in 1960. Since then, like many Africa states, it has endured civil disruption, but now is one of more politically and socially stable countries in Africa. The country is famed for its music, beaches, mountains and successful football team.

Cameroon in a nutshell;

• It's population is around 20 million people of which 1.8m live in the capital, Yaounde
• The predominant religion is Christianity, accounting for around a third of the population
• The official languages are French and English, with French is the more widely spoken
• The Gross Domestic Product per capita is $1,230 - the UK's is $38,591.

HIV/AIDS in Cameroon;

Cameroon is one of the worst affected countries in Central Africa in terms of HIV/AIDS prevalence as the stats below illustrate;

• Number of people living with HIV/AIDS is 610,000 (UNAIDS Estimates 2009)
• Adults aged 15-49 prevalence rate is 5.3% (This is the highest in Central Africa)
• It is one of 22 countries being prioritised for the eradication of mother-to-child transmission (the current rate is 23%)
• The estimated coverage of antiretroviral therapy is 38% (Botswana has 95%).

(Source: http://www.cricketwithoutboundaries.com/assets/docs/20111130_ua_report_en.pdf)

Cricket in Cameroon

In a country that is famed for its love of football, there is limited cricket played in Cameroon. They are an affiliate member of the ICC, having been so since 2007 and play in Africa Division 3 (alongside the likes of Rwanda and Morocco). The ambitious Cameroon Cricket Federation (FECACRICKET) developed their programme entitled VISION 2013 to promote the game and make it popular in Cameroon by focusing on grassroots coaching of the game. There is National Championship League and Cup domestic competition, as well as a national inter-schols tournament. Women's cricket is an integral part of the game in Cameroon, with women and girls being incentivised to play the game through specialised coaching, free registration and awards. The development of the national cricket ground to be known as the Yaounde St. Therese Cricket Ground is progressing well and should be playable in 2013.

CWB in Cameroon

Here is an overview of the nine-strong CWB team's two week itinerary:

• Official launch of the CWB and Cameroon Cricket Federation Partnership consisting of an exhibition cricket match on Sunday 11th November (CWB vs a Cameroon select eleven) followed by a reception event with the CWB team, Cameroon Cricket Federation committee, Minister of Sports & Physical Education, British High
• Commissioner to Cameroon and the President of the Cameroon National Olympic & Sports Committee
• The CWB team is to appear as guests on the 'Monday Night' TV talk show which will take place on Monday 12th November.
• The CWB coaches will be accompanied by 4 Cameroon coaches
• Week one in the capital Yaoundé working with 9 schools and 25 teachers
• Week two in the west coast town of Buea working with 8/9 schools and 25 teachers

You can follow all the action from 9th November here http://cwbblogs.com/cameroon12/