From Procrastination to Purpose: Mr Oreo's Poultry Farm in Bamenda
A young farmer in Bamenda overcame procrastination and financial constraints to build a 500-capacity poultry farm on his grandmother's land, inspired by a Poise essay on starting over. He reflects on how preparation meeting opportunity, combined with purpose over profit, transformed his life from unemployment to agricultural entrepreneurship.
They say many people fail to recognize and utilize opportunities because opportunities appear in overalls. They see it as a lot of work they’re not ready to engage in. And, eventually, they fail to prepare themselves to maximize and utilize these opportunities.
When preparation meets opportunity, you know the rest.
I remember quite a long time ago, i read through a lengthy write up on #PoiseSocial by @ Tino Foy. It was focused on taking upon the courage to start all over. I can’t quite go into details about his write up, but what impressed me most was how he articulated his true life story of how he traveled to the USA(which is every Cameroonian youth’s dream),Got the best of grades and graduated BUT decided to come back to his country Cameroon and start all over again cuz he had MASSIVE dream.
That particular write up on #PoiseSocial had a genuine impact on me. I’ve always loved to actively get into agriculture not just as an Angro-entrepreneur BUT as a farmer as well. Unfortunately, i was left at the mercy of procrastination.
In May 14th, 2020. I made that decision to start all over. Through self realization, I found a passion-filled purpose in poultry farming. Unfortunately, I was FLAT BROKE at the time and starting up a poultry farm is capital intensive. BUT I didn’t let that discourage me.
Fortunately, after explaining my poultry farm intentions to my beloved grandmother, she was amazed and happy to hear such from me. At that point, i recognized the opportunity i have available BUT, I needed to come up with an efficient model and plan to maximize and utilize that opportunity to its greatest extend. Grandma residence is at the heart of Old Town, Bamenda with vast land available. She gave me enough space and her blessings to go ahead and make the most of my purposed-oriented poultry farming.
Honestly speaking, that was the toughest task i’ve had in a long time cuz it required acquiring new agricultural skills, changing my personality in order to create my new personal realities(which is extremely difficult to put to effect). It was a tough challenge and I took upon it like a LION.
Slowly, i started my journey to pursue my purpose in agriculture. I worked like a beast to construct my poultry farm with my bare hands and with little financial supports from family. Bit by bit, the passion became so huge and hustling in my farm became a livable lifestyle.
Today, I’ve acquired huge skills in poultry farming and with 500+ capacity poultry farm at my beloved grandmother’s compound in Old Town, Tambang, Bamenda. I sticked to my entrepreneurial principles of maximization, utilization and categorization. I’ve been able to build valued geared models filled with inspired ideas and creative vision.
Creating value has been a primary goal. “When value is greater than the price, people buy”.
I could have easily acted dumb and blinded to this wonderful opportunity BUT wisdom they say “they no d teach am for school.”
My humble beginning might be financially viable mindful of the fact that i’m gifted to have my poultry farm in the most valuable location for a poultry farm. BUT this is not a money thing, it’s a purpose thing. YES money is good but it’s just a facilitator. Make money, don’t let money make you. Hope say e clear?
I’m not stoping nor slowing down cuz i intend to do to agriculture what Dangote has done to cement. That’s example of what purpose means.
So my advice to many jobless and frustrated Cameroonian youths out there, my brothers and my sisters, wuna hustle oh, cuz time no dey. Stop hoping on the government. Be prepared and make use of the resources you have. You certainly don’t need all the resources in the world to make it. You just have to be resourceful and creative.
I’m telling my story cuz i was inspired my someone else’s story. So maybe, my story may inspire someone out there.
Again!! Don’t be discouraged to start over. You learn more from mistakes, failures and downfalls than success.
Stand fine below u complain say life no balance.
Mr Oreo Oreo Integrated Farm
This piece emerges from a moment—mid-2020—when many Cameroonian youth faced economic uncertainty and limited formal employment. The writer was moved by another Poise contributor's essay about returning from abroad to pursue meaningful work at home, a narrative that resonates deeply in a context where emigration is often framed as escape rather than choice.
Then, it offered concrete proof that inspiration drawn from shared writing could catalyze real change—that a story read online could become a story lived. Now, it reads as a steady counter to both the despair of joblessness and the myth that opportunity requires perfect conditions. The farmer's insistence on resourcefulness over capital, and purpose over profit, remains quietly urgent in economies where both access and hope are unevenly distributed.