Howard "Porky" Cutter relates just how challenging, yet rewarding, teaching in foreign country can be.
The drill had been setting outside for about a year. Needless to say, some parts were missing. In a couple of days, we had the rig running. After several days of negotiations, we were able to obtain a usable Mercedes-Benz 6-by-6 truck from the Cameroon Army and proceeded to drill holes and bolt the 1-W rig to the bed of the truck. All 14 students were trying to align the bolts into the holes at the same time. They would almost get one bolt in when others would slide out of the rig and the other holes wouldn't line up. Making it even more difficult was the fact that that the students spoke only French, and I spoke only English. I had a translator the first half-day, and then he left us on our own. I seldom have a problem communicating anywhere I go, however, this was a real challenge.