Bertoua With Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh: Philantropy at its Best!

Dr. Fomunyoh showing some love to an orphan at "Fondation Nazareth" Bertoua

Bamenda to Bertoua is a close to 700km journey; long and tiring. But if a journey is for a good cause, the kilometers seem like meters. Braving the bumpiness of the Bamenda - Mbouda road, through the lifeless Santa toll gate, I was drawn to believe that North West Region is a forgotten portion. Is the government really aware of the state of the road leading to one of the two anglophone regions in the country? Well, the Express Road to Bertoua, from Younde, gave me hope that some day it is going to be better for us in the South West and North West Regions of our beloved Cameroon. And back to why I dared -- I dared because I wanted to be an eye witness.

Who would have thought that a man from the North West Region of Cameroon would take charity and philanthropy to the East Region of Cameroon? Most people will stick to the self belief that charity begins and ends at home, but unless you are a true Cameroonian at heart, you will never function the way this icon functions. He has touched about 7 regions of the country this year already, and he is hoping to touch more. Seriously, who has broken that record in Cameroon?

I heard about what was supposed to happen, I went to Bertoua, I saw, I experienced, and I came back with facts -- pictures. Here are the different activities that Characterized Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh one week stay in Bertoua and Abong Mbang, in pictures.

Visit to "Fondation Marie France" orphanage (4 photos)

Dr. Fomunyoh donated food stuff and other basic necessities to orphans of "Fondation Marie France"

Dr. Fomunyoh presenting gifts to the orphans of "Fondation Marie France"

Dr. Fomunyoh greeting the orphans at "Fondation Marie France"

And finally, Dr. dined and danced with the orphans. The Rhumsiki choir thrilled the event with beautiful music

 Visit to "Fondation Nazareth" Orphange (3 photos)

Dr. Fomunyoh steps into "Fondation Nazareth" for his usual philantropic spree

Dr. Fomunyoh donated these items at the "Fondation Nazareth"

Dr. Fomunyoh showing some love to an orphan at "Fondation Nazareth"

Book donation at Lycee Bilingue de Bertuoa

 

Dr. Fomunyoh donates book to Lycee Bilingue de Bertoua

Dr. Fomunyoh in a family shot with students of Lycee Biligue de Bertoua

 Book donation at College Bilingue Teerenstra Bertoua

 

Dr. Fomunyoh with staff and students of College Bilingue Teerenstra  Bertoua

                             Book donation at Catholic University Bertoua 

Campus of Catholic University Bertoua. Dr. Fomunyoh communed with staff and students of this university

 Book donation at Lycee Bilingue d'Abong Mbang

Dr. Fomunyoh donating books to Lycee Bilingue d'Abong Mbang. Right- The Principal of Lycee d'Abong Mbang

Dr. Fomunyoh handing over some donated books to a student of Lycee d'Abong Mbang

Book donation at College Prive Catholique Jean II Abong Mbang

Dr. Fomunyoh at College Prive Catholique Jean II

At college Prive Catholique Jean II. Singing of the National Anthem

Dr. Fomunyoh in a family photograph with students of College Prive Catholique Jean II

 

Book launch (The Cameroon of Tomorrow. Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh: The Man in his Words) By Njouny Nelson at the Bertoua Linguistic Center. 

 

Dr. Fomunyoh during the book launch at the Bertoua Linguistic Center

Dr. Fomunyoh donating books to the Bertoua Linguistic Center. Right -- The Director of Bertoua Linguistic Center

Dr. Fomunyoh giving out "The Cameroon of Tomorrow" free of charge to everyone who attended the launch

Dr. Fomunyoh granting interview to the press immediately after the book launch

 

Mass at Paroisse Sainte Famille Cathedrale Bertoua 

Dr. Fomunyoh offered mass at the Paroisse Sainte Famille Cathedrale Bertoua

 

Meeting with Donga Mantung Community of Bertoua as Ta Nformi Cameroon

Ta Nformi Bertoua (right) receiving Ta Nformi Cameroon (Dr. Fomunyoh) in the Wimbum Hall in Bertoua

 All is well that ends well. And again, Dr. Fomunyoh gave me another reason to respect him. It was indeed a full package in Bertoua on the first week of November 2015 -- a week to remember.

My Mbingo Travel & Treatment Experience -- Have you Ever Traveled to Mbingo?

A small "driver and four persons" transport cab. It carries 8 in total

Realities on the Bamenda Mbingo road
From Bamenda to Mbingo is a 45 minutes drive. It is the doorway to Boyo Division; one of the seven divisions that make up the North West Region of Cameroon. Though the road is tarred, the age of the tar has forced a few cracks, but hey, you can make it to Mbingo without any major bumpiness -- its manageably smooth. Mind you, you may spend additional minutes on the way because our men in uniform are there, always. There are at least five check points. The Police are there. The Gendarmes are also there. The officials of the Ministry of Transport are there as well. Road safety people too are present. The local council officials too are always answering present.


Are you going on a public transport? Then there are two places to pick a cab. You can pic a cab at the popular Mobile Nkwen fuel station which will cost you 1000frs to Mbingo. Or go down to the Mile 4 Nkwen "motor park" as it is popularly called, and it will cost you 800frs to Mbingo, from there. If you are thinking of going by the small "driver and 4 persons" vehicles, be sure to reach Mbingo with either a leg, back or waist pain because those vehicles carry 8 persons -- 4 behind and 4 in front (including driver) whether fat or slim. Don't forget your National ID card for nationals, passport or residence permit for foreigners. As for me, my leg was hurting after a bad fall that got my ankle twisted in both directions in a rain water gutter and so I had to pay for two seats in front so as to prevent further injury due to overload.

Its a smooth drive to Mbingo Baptist Hospital

 What makes Mbingo Special?
The Mbingo Baptist Hospital, period. The Mbingo Baptist Hospital is a household name when it comes to treating injuries, fractures, sprains. They are known for their excellent treatment of bone related injuries. Lest I forget, they have several other health departments that treat different diseases. Its a very big hospital and for the first time I saw more than 30 foreigners, white men and women, in hospital uniforms seemingly working in the hospital. Wao! That's a mix of specialists all in one place. I got from a side gist that some of the foreigners are employees, some are interns, some volunteers, and some are visiting specialists. That was great!

My leg treatment process
I had an injury that had been managed wrongly in the house for one week and I needed medical help. I missed my step in a rain water gutter and got my ankle twisted in both directions in a fast reflex motion. On reaching Mbingo Baptist hospital, I had to consult, do a scan (x-ray), and then treatment follows. X-ray revealed that it was a severe sprain that needed an ankle stirrup brace and a forearm crutch. 

Me wearing and Ankle Stirrup Brace and holding a Forearm Crutch

How to handle a sprain! 

1. Do NOT massage with hot water -- please DON'T
2. Best thing to do is to rub ice around the affected area for a while, or dip a towel in cold water and wrap around the affected area
3. Visit a medical specialist if pain persists after the ice/cold water therapy

 

Do NOT massage with hot water!

Things to know before visiting Mbingo Baptist Hospital with a sprain 

1. Mbingo is very cold, so please wear warm clothing 
2. A small "driver and four persons" vehicle carries 8 persons in total. It is very uncomfortable.
3. Be sure to be at the hospital premises as early as 7am or else you will have to go there for two days because of the x-ray procedure and the high population of patients (I went there for two days)
4. Consultation is 1000frs
5. X-ray is 5000frs
6. An ankle stirrup brace like the one on my leg cost 20,000frs
7. A forearm crutch cost 15,000frs, per crutch.
8. Medication will vary from patient to patient depending on the nature of your injury and so amounts will differ
9. Be sure to go with another person else you will have to walk to and fro [long] distances within the hospital premises to pay your bills before you are being attended at. 
10. You will encounter patients with all kinds of injuries and health complications, so beware. That's life. 

Ankle stirrup brace 

Traveling is Education: Domestic Violence Survivor Cracks the Music World!

Music for the Soul by Micheline Ewang

I remember I have always said that Charlotte Dipanda's "Elle n'a pas vu" is my best music on earth, not until I listened to Micheline Ewang's "Dissongo." As at now, Micheline's Dissongo is the best music in my world, not because we come from the same ethnic group, but because she has done a good job. Trust me, this music is going to uplift your soul. Like all of us, Micheline has a life story that inspires her music and this is what makes her piece of art so soul touching. 

Her Domestic Violence Story

After surviving domestic violence for way too long, Cameroonian songstress, actress, story teller and humanitarian extraordinaire thought it was time to define herself and sing peace. The beautiful Oroko lady from Bombangi Batanga, in Ndian Division of Cameroon says traveling to America opened her eyes to positive realities.

"It is here that I had to put a cloth on that abusive behavior. It is here that I learned that it was wrong. It is here that I knew it was called domestic violence. It is still here in the USA that I learned to become the woman I was before, gain confidence in myself, went back to school and do what I love to do -- music. It is most definitely here that I learned to become the woman that I presently am," Micheline explains with a contagious smile on her face.

Her "Dissongo" Music Debut

Dissongo in a Oroko is a peaceful dance done by women only. If you watch women perform this dance you would agree with me that women are the most peaceful people on earth. The dance steps are mathematcial. It is no doubt that Micheline chose this title for her album.

In her debut "Dissongo" official, she is in a subtle yet serious way telling people that change is possible, for the better. She thinks no one is an island and so it is impossible to live alone "Osa fiti di rai gwe'iti" (hope I got the lyrics right here -- Hihi! Ah, this lady [Micheline Ewang] rocks in this music. I just can't get enough of it. I have been eating up my data since morning just listening to this.

Here is a direct link to the youtube video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AOyxt_5Mlw&app=desktop

Micheline is seeking a re-connection with herself through her artistic blend of traditional African and Western music.

"With the blend of African and Western music, I'm trying not only to reconcile me with myself, but also to exchange through art my culture and other cultures. I also want to reconnect to my roots," she says. 

Truth be told, I like love this music to the stars and back! I love this chic!!! Hope you love it too!!!

Traveling to Douala on a Container Clearing Mission? A Foot Disease Awaits You!

The shoes that left me spellbound: 2000frs CFA on rents!

Traveling 322km from Bamenda to Buea, by night, was no small distance for me. It has never been. Passing through the Bamenda - Babdjou stretch, an approximately one hour distance that now takes up to three hours because of the dilapidated nature of the road, was enough to break every active bone my body carried. Over 8 hours on the road, from 10:00pm to 6:30am the next day, there was very little left in my body as strength to carry me for the next busy day. If not for the fact that I have become a power-house traveler, I wouldn't be able to take to the road for another travel on the same day of my arrival in Buea, a travel that is normally charged with active responsibilities in the City of Douala. Buea to Douala is another nightmare; the traffic along the Bonaberi stretch can cause one to fly through the car window like a bird until one gets to her intended destination. That is if witchcraft was ice-cream. Hehehe!

I love Buea, so going to Douala for a crucial container issue would mean I have a stop over in Buea, take a bath, and head out back to Douala. This is for no other reason but for the fact that I LOVE BUEA. I had become too comfortable with the process already as it took me more than a month of back and forth already. Now where was I driving at? Please ask me! I was driving at something really embarrassing but yet unavoidable issue. The Ports shoes.

After having traveled all night for 8 hours, in a road that has lost smoothness, I needed nothing but a relaxed trip to Douala in a hired Carina E. I needed to have my legs aired in a heel-less open sandals that would guarantee a pain-free busy day as I move from one angle of the port to the other for the inspection of my 40feet container. Sad to say I was already late, as a police officer held the documents of my driver that he had to pay bribe for having but a 'certificate of loss' of his driver's license. After spending almost 45 minutes on the police check point, explaining and trying to prove a point, I had to take the biggest risk of my life, to abandon the driver on that spot and take to the steering with a newly acquired driver's license. That was my first time of taking the road on my own in a busy road and town like Douala. I made it, but I made it minutes late and the inspection section of the port is strict with time. If you have ever gone there, you will testify with me. Sometimes I put on the good face and obedient chap when I know I am wrong, and that day, the good face and obedient chap worked for me, I was allowed to enter.

Container was cut open: Inspection of the 40 feet container

But STOP! I had open sandals on, instead of covered shoes. You just can't enter the container section with open shoes, you've got to cover it up. This time, the good face and obedient chap trick didn't work.

"Hey madam, you see that pa standing there, you can rent a pair of shoes from him and get in fast," a port authority cautioned. "Don't look at the shoe quality, just put it on and come in before we lock the gate."

I rushed, and begged the man to quickly give me a pair of shoes on rent. "Deux mille franc ma cherie," the man said. "Yes," I responded. "Bring it out quickly," I ordered. When this man brought the shoes out, my jaws dropped. I looked at my precious feet, then I looked at the shoes, and then I looked at the man, and then I looked at the shoes again. "Put it on and come in faster madam, we are locking the gate," the ports authority shouted. Jesus, I couldn't believe it. Gently, regrettably, and angrily, I put the shoes on and handed a 2000frs note to the man and left. As I walked into the inspection sector of the ports, my heart pounded and all I had in mind was how fast I was going to get done with the inspection and get the disease-infested shoes off my feet. Man, I spent over 6 hours in the port with those shoes on.

The shoes that left me spellbound

It was a sad experience, but I wouldn't let my readers go through that experience, that is why I am bringing you this blog post. And thank God, its been over 7 months now and I have not seen any signs of a foot disease. Should I say my medicated soap and lotions are wonderful? Or should I just say God is wonderful. Don't be a victim like I was.

What to do on the day of 'visite' or inspection of your container at the Douala Port:

1. Be at the Ports before 1:30pm
2. Wear covered shoes to avoid renting the dirtiest shoes on earth (no sandals or sleepers allowed)
3. Come along with a traffic jacket or you will buy one at 1500frs at the port
4. Go along with your clearing agent, if you have one
5. Be mindful of the Douala traffic and Police troubles, so leave your house like two hours early if you are coming in from another town
6. Beware of contraband products like groundnut oil, whisky, wine etc inside your container. They may cause your serious problems with the custom inspectors
7. Be sure not to leave the inspection ground with anything from the container for it might be seized from you as you are leaving the checking ground
8. Let your PURSE be FAT. You are going to spend more than you expected at the inspection ground. Hold a few hundreds of thousands. 
9. A car on hire from Buea to Bamenda, for example, will cost you 25,000frs CFA
10. Rememer, it will take you at least two weeks to complete the container clearing process at the Douala Ports. To avoid a million dollar stress, get a clearing agent to help you.
11. If you need contact of a clearing agent, contact me and I will link you to the best ones in the business.

And hey! You can drive down to "Down Beach Limbe" for the best roasted fish and beer after a busy Sunny Day in Douala. I did, almost everyday!

Don't Touch my Boobs & Thighs, Man: We are in a Night Bus, Not a Hotel Room

One of my night trips in 2012. A man tried touching me on this particular night!

My three years stay in Bamenda has been characterized by three years of long distance night travels to the South West, Littoral, and Center Regions. The desire to travel to these places either for work, school, or visiting is always marred by the thoughts of "who is going to sit next to me tonight." I scrutinize, with my eyes, every male passenger that steps in looking at his ticket to locate his bus seat. If its a guy, my jaws drop. Sad to say some men are mean enough to sexually harass women in public buses. Even in the discomfort of my tight traveling jean pants and thick protective jackets, these men have always sought to find their comfort in that situation. While I make conscious effort to protect myself from the night's cold by wearing long and thick clothing, some sexual harassers make conscious efforts to use a woman's body as their heaters throughout the entire long night journey. The turning off of the internal bus lights as the bus hits the road has become a nightmare to most women in Cameroon. 

On several occasions, I have felt the cold hands of different guys, sliding through my thighs and boobs in the middle of my sleep as the bus glides. Who would have imagined, that a man in his right senses would want to touch a woman he met in a night bus. Is this how mean some men have become. My first experience is one to remember, as I shouted in the middle of the night, to the top of my voice "Stop touching me, you fool!" My voice was loud to wake up almost all of the passengers who were already enjoying their sleep, but disappointingly, the driver didn't stop to ask about what was going on. Is it that he understood what was going on? Or that he has experienced that too often to the point where he doesn't consider it an issue? Well, for me, that was a big issue. At first I thought I was dreaming as the cold cement-paper hands started its rough moves, and then I realized it was an embarrassing reality.

Preparing for a night trip: Got my tight pants and long shirt on!

About two months ago, one little girl's experience of how she was sexually harassed as a 13 year old in a night bus has left me pained at what our girl children are going through during rentrer scolaire periods. We were in a bus, traveling from Buea to Bamenda on a normal  trip during the day and the bus was full to capacity. The little girl, who is about 20 years old now explained her ordeal.

This girl, whom I prompted to explain what happened to her as she initiated a discussion on her experience in a bus when she was just 13. She said a man old enough to be his father touched her sexually. 

"When I was in form two, I used to travel alone from Muyuka to Bamenda to attend school at PSS Mankon. One day, the 70-seater bus carried more than 70 passengers and as a result some passengers did not have seats -- they had to stand from Muyuka to Bamenda. After covering more than half (about 150km) of the journey the bus stopped at the popular 'kemkem' for people to rest, eat, and ease themselves. When the bus was about to take off, a man that had been standing close to my seat begged that he sit while i sit on his leg since I was small. Being a small and naive little girl I accepted. The bus took off and before I knew I fell deep asleep and like a daughter sitting on her fathers lap on a long journey, I found comfort on his body. Surprisingly, in the middle of the night, I felt this man's hands going down my vagina path, I got up, and he whispered in my ears that I should stay quiet and enjoy it. I became so tensed, but I couldn't talk. He had unzipped my trousers without me knowing and my zip was completely down. A man I can call my father, let me call him my father was sexually touching me. Unable to bear the trauma and stress of the night, I quietly got off his body and made a sit on the floor on the middle lane of the bus where others were sitting because they had no seats. That is one experience I will never forget," she explained.

Now, that was a courageous young girl, who was able to take that decisive step to step out of the mans lap and make a seat on the floor of the bus. Think about some of our shy daughters and or young girls who would find it difficult to take such decisions. They will definitely be violated and that experience will traumatize them for the rest of their lives. Let's think of how many of our children travel such long distances during school reopening. The girls are obviously victims of this evident malpractice. 

The issue of sexual harassment has been talked about and penned down by female bloggers who have lived the experience. Visit Commy Mussa's blog on this same subject http://sisterspeak237.com/journey-by-night-a-womans-nightmare/ . 

It should be noted that the distance from Bamenda to Buea/Douala/Yaounde ranges from between 350 - 400km. And this can be a big bore to a woman sitting next to a sexual psychopath. Something needs to be done.

It should also be noted that not all men harass women in night buses. There are still decent men out there.

If you are planning a night trip, have this in mind:

1.  Don't cancel your night trip because you read this blog
2. Be courageous and have it in mind that you might be sitting next to a man who will sexually harass you
3. Don't sleep out, especially when you are sitting next to a guy, you can never tell
4. Speak out when it happens, alert the bus driver and his aid
5. Shout if you can to let others know
6. Wear trousers and covered blouses to avoid easy access especially if you have to sleep. This will enable you to regain consciousness before the act goes deep
7. Generally, if your are traveling by night in Cameroon, remember to hold as many warm clothing accessories as possible (wraps, pullovers/sweaters, socks) because if you are lucky to sit beside a civilized man, you may be unlucky to find yourself in a dilapidated bus with holes all over. And the cold breeze coming from outside from such a bus can make travel hell for you if your are not protected. 
8. Safe travels!

Visa on Arrival Policy in Africa; Rwanda, a Perfect Example!

Who would have imagined that there is a country in Africa that has declared VISA ON ARRIVAL for all African nationals. That is one milestone that other African countries have to emulate.

My travel life has been characterized by queuing up at embassies or consulates to pick up travel visas. My Chinese, Macau, and American embassy experiences planted a stereotype in my head that traveling to any destinations entails a whole long process of paper work, visa application, interview appointment, and of course visa issuance or denial. Looking back at my hurtful experience at the American Embassy Yaounde in 2013 makes me want to think that embassies should review their best practices. After having celebrated the prestigious invitation to Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2013, an opportunity that doesn't come easily, the American Embassy Yaounde denied me a visa, on grounds that I didn't provide enough evidence that I was going to come back to Cameroon after the meeting. Disappointed at the whole drama, I lost interest in ever making an appointment with that particular embassy because I realized that visas are issued to those who are good at faking papers and telling lies. Well, that's not the story for today.

From January 1st 2013, Rwanda kept to its promise of issuing visa on arrival for all African nationals, sparing Africans the often cumbersome process of having to apply weeks in advance. Rwanda, a country that is fast recovering from a 100 days long genocide that took place in 1994 has one of the most technologically advanced immigration that uses biometric data and finger printing, according to News24.

When I decided to travel to Rwanda in November 2013, I never thought that it was going to be that easy. I did online research and contacted friends in East Africa to educate me on the visa procedure for Rwanda and i was told that Rwanda was actually implementing the 'visa on arrival' policy for all Africans. Not satisfied with the results I got, I picked up the address of Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration by email and they confirmed to me that visa is given at  the port of entry provided you can produce a letter of invitation from your host in Rwanda. That settled, I got my air ticket and headed for the Douala International Airport on my travel date, still not sure I was going to sail through, but I did. The panic increased when I landed Kigali, I could not come to terms with the fact that there was no Rwandan Visa on my passport. But hey, the immigration officer took my passport, looked at me and asked:

"What is your mission to Rwanda, madam?" he asked with a broad smile.

"I am here to attend a 10 days journalism training," I replied.

"Can I see your invitation," he asked again in a rather friendly and hospitable manner.

"Yes sir," I answered quickly and handed him my invitation.

Ah! That was it. I was instantly approved a one month stay in Rwanda. "Welcome to Rwanda madam. Enjoy your stay here." Really? Seriously, really? I kept saying to myself. I walked away, towards the baggage pull section, still not believing that I have entered Rwanda without a visa from port of departure. Now, the Rwanda policy is one very important policy that other countries, especially African countries, have to emulate. It is stress free! And simple to!

 Rwanda/Cameroon exit and entry visas!

Now, this is what you need to know if you are planning a trip to Rwanda.

1. Have your invitation letter ready from whoever is inviting you to Rwanda. You will need to present it at your port of departure and port of entry [for the case of Cameroon].
2. Get your yellow fever shot/vaccination done.
3. Your passport should be valid.
4. Buy your flight ticket and be at the airport on time.
5. Kigali is a bit cold, so remember to go along with warm clothing.
6. Kigali doesn't allow non-biodegradable plastics so if you get there in non-biodegradable plastic wrapped bags, be sure to watch them peel it off your bags at the airport. 
7. Rwanda uses the Rwandan Francs but you will need to change your local currency to Dollars or Euro, or to Rwandan Francs itself. 
8. Rwanda is the internet hub of Africa and so you can access the fastest internet you can ever imagine.
9. All Rwandan bikers and their passengers wear helmets, at all times. 
10. No one dares to throw thrash along the road. If you do, you will be fined, so beware. The streets are very clean.
11. Rwanda has MTN. You can receive MTN calls from Cameroon for a while. Ecobank is also available. 
12. The 'visa on arrival' policy is for African nationals only. I can't say for other countries out of Africa.

Enjoy your trip to Rwanda!