International Migrants and Rural Development in Moghamo Community, North-West Region, Cameroon

Abstract

The Chicago School on theories of migration considers migrants as uprooted in that as migrants leave home, they forget about their kin and community and become assimilated and acculturated into the community of destination. Today, with the increase in technology, this reality is not the same in many societies including Moghamo in the North West Region of Cameroon as many migrants do maintain relationships with their home communities and  support local development projects in a bid to improve on the living conditions of their people. The question therefore is what is the role of Moghamo migrants in the development of the Moghamo community? To answer this question, qualitative and quantitative research was conducted in 5 of the 22 villages that make up Moghamo.  A total of 65 interviews (with 23 women and 42 men) were carried out with Moghamo migrants of the United States of America, and their family members residing in the place of origin. Additionally, 151 questionnaires were administered to 85 women and 66 men irrespective of whether they had a family member who is a migrant or not.  Migrants' development projects in Moghamo were observed over a period of two years. Findings revealed that Moghamo migrants contribute to the developments of their community of origin through their communication, visitation and remittances.