Contact Me

Address in Cameroon (effective 9/21/11):
Joe Cooper, Peace Corps Volunteer
Corps de la Paix
B.P. 477
Ebolowa, Cameroon

Important information for sending packages!
DO NOT send things that have important sentimental or monetary value!

Adorning the outside of the package with religious symbols, such as crosses, will deter thiefs and increases the chance of unfettered delivery!
- Both Volunteers and family members should number letters sent so that the receiver
  can determine whether any letters do not arrive.
- Packages should be sent via air, not surface mail (surface mail has been known to take
  longer than two years to arrive).
- bubble envelopes seem to work better than large boxes. They are less tempting to would-be thieves. The sender should clearly and honestly mark
  the contents on the outside of the package, but a general description of the contents is
  sufficient: “clothing and candy” rather than “Nike high top sneakers and 2 lbs. Godiva
  chocolate.”
- Express mail is an expensive option that may take just as long to get to Cameroon.
  Perhaps a more secure option than regular airmail for documents, checks, etc., it is
  subject to more scrutiny by Cameroonian customs than regular mail. For items other Rev. June 2011
  than documents, Peace Corps staff has to submit import licenses to customs, and
  clearance can take up to 10 days. Thus, you may not necessarily save any time by
  using Express mail. DHL and UPS operate in Cameroon for those important
  documents. Note that current prices for these services run around $100.00 for one
  pound or less.
- There is a tax which Volunteers will have to pay on all packages received before they
  can retrieve them from the post office. This tax varies according to the size of the
  package. It might be a nice gesture from friends or family to send a six-pack of
  Mountain Dew, but it may cost a Volunteer up to $10.00 to get it out of the post office
- Packages sent to the Yaoundé office are sent regularly but not immediately to
  Volunteer posts. This may delay delivery to the Volunteer by up to several weeks.