Sometimes, as you’ve most likely noticed, I like to make light of things. When life tries to give you a haymaker to the chops you just have to laugh (as long as you can still breath). There are times, however, that it is difficult to muster anything humorous. This is one of those times.

Half of the main Kumba market burned down Monday night and was still burning the next morning. The government estimates that 1 billion CFA (approx. $1.8 million) will be necessary to rebuild. In a country already overwhelmed by money issues this will be an impossible sum to raise. Luckily, the fire occurred overnight, so there were no casualties, but, while lives were not lost, livelihoods were. One of the problems with businesses in Cameroon is that, when they acquire cash, they spend it on excess inventory. So, instead of having any sort of savings to fall back on, the shopkeepers depend upon their stock. Those looking for early Christmas gifts subsequently looted most inventories spared by the fire.

In the United States we’d “simply” file a claim with our insurance company and rebuild. In Cameroon, insurance is virtually non-existent, as are fire departments, which is why the fire did so much damage.

I am unsure what the shopkeepers will do. Some of my friends are among them, and they will probably start all over, or move back to their villages where they can receive support from relatives. For those individuals who are worse off this Christmas season will not be one of celebration. The wife of the Government Delegate (head of the City Council) is my landlady, and I’m a friend to her daughter and son-in-law, so I’ve offered my services to the Council. Time will, though, what the government’s response will be. I’ll withhold judgment for now, but they must understand that the people of Kumba are crying.