In honor of YES Appreciation Day on October 15, YES alumni from Cameroon have written to express their thanks for their YES exchange year. #thankyouYES

Collins Tadjon (YES 2017-2019, Cameroon, placed with with CIEE in Rosemount, MN)

"My name is Collins Tadjon. I come from Cameroon in West Africa. I live in Santa, a small town in Bamenda, Cameroon. I am deaf. I am an alumnus in Bamenda. My responsibility is to teach hearing people sign language to easy accessibility with with deaf community. Thank you, YES." 

Marilyn Akawung Abangwaoh (YES 2017-2018, Cameroon, placed with YFU in Clyde, MI)

“May 20, 2018, 6:56 PM, Yale, Michigan. The day my wildest dream came to life. The day I always dreamed of, the day I never knew would be possible, the day I graduated in the U.S. On that day, I had just 16 more days until I had to return home; 9 months and some weeks had gone by, but in those 9 months before that fateful day, I saw the world, I learned new cultures, heard different languages, met different kinds of people, shared my culture, and became independent. But most of all, I learned something new called volunteerism, the one word that changed my life. In 10 months, I had a second home, a second family, new friends, and an opportunity of a lifetime. When I wore my graduation robe on that faithful day, and took this picture with my friends, all what I had learned just came rushing back to my mind. They all now remain memories, which I will forever cherish. I decided on that day to be a change-maker in my community. This was all possible because of the YES program.”

Marvette Ngoche (YES 2017-2018, Cameroon, placed with AFS-USA in Clintonville, WI)

"You never know how great something is until you explore it. I never knew how great this journey was until this day I walked down this aisle all dressed in my beautiful graduation suit, holding this precious diploma with my name all printed in bold. All I have ever felt since then is how successful I am. All thanks to the YES program!"

Daize Merville Njounkeng (YES 2017-2018, Cameroon, placed with PAX in Zanesville, IN)

"Volunteerism and fundraising were words that changed my life completely on and after the program. While on program, the exchange students and I did several fundraisers to get a prosthetic eye for a visually impaired friend. Together, we were able to achieve so much. Thank you YES for teaching me one of life's biggest secrets. Through volunteerism, I have made the best relationships, found life-changing opportunities, and harnessed the greatest joy in life. I said YES to volunteerism. A billion thanks to the YES Program!"