Cameras For Cameroon

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BSU donates cameras to Cameroon training program

Bath Spa University’s Film and Television department was proud to recently donate a number of pieces of camera equipment to the Cameras for Cameroon project.

The Cameras for Cameroon project was set up by multi-award winning DOP Adam Docker after a trip to the nation revealed a lack of equipment and funding.

Working alongside Anne Nzouankeu, a Cameroonian journalist who created "Actions pour l'éducation”, a non-profit association whose main activities are academic and vocational training and the promotion of reading and literacy, Adam set about ensuring the playing field was levelled.

Last year, Anne’s organisation contacted the Guild of Television Camera Professionals in London, which is where BSU entered the picture.

Frederick Read, Technical Demonstrator in Video Production at BSU, said:

“In the FTV department we are lucky enough to update our equipment and we are often left with useable kit that we no longer teach, and do not have space for anymore.

Last September we were having a stock take and this was the case with some video cameras, so I enquired through the Guild of Television camera professionals if anyone knew of any worthy causes. I was made aware of Adam’s and Anne’s initiative and before long, Anne had some useful equipment.”

The University has now donated four Sony Camcorders, as well as number of other pieces of equipment, that will be used to open further training opportunities for budding filmmakers in Cameroon.

The handover took place inside BSU’s state-of-the-art television studios at Newton Park and marked the start of a strong collaboration between all involved.

Speaking about the importance of the donation, Adam Docker, creator of Cameras for Cameroon, said:

“This is a great way of supporting colleagues in countries that don’t get the support or have the infrastructure that we are so abundantly lucky to have. They get to learn on newer equipment and their standards will raise. It empowers them to then teach their craft to the next generation and keep standards high.”

Reflecting on the collaboration, Anne also spoke about the importance of the donation:

“In Cameroon, training centres lack equipment and students don't have enough hours of academic practice. Our training sessions are sometimes the only opportunity for some students to use a professional camera. We are very grateful to Bath Spa University for this equipment, which will increase our training capacity.

This equipment will allow us to double our training capacities. With the four cameras received from Bath Spa University, we will now be able to organise sessions for 24 people and thus allow a greater number of Cameroonians to have the chance to master the use of a camera and to be able to earn a living. These cameras are like gold for Cameroonian students.”

BSU now hopes to work with Anne and Adam again in the future, whilst also supporting other organisations closer to home.