Honesdale Rotary Club Blog

Homeopathy Comes to Kumbo, Cameroon

In a few short weeks, fourteen very dedicated men and women will soon embark on a new mission. They are survivors of a six week course in homeopathy and herbal remedies for the maladies of greater Cameroon.

Five days a week they arrive well before 8:30 am (class time) and gradually leave the grounds after 4 pm.

Using six herbal formulas, one multiple vitamin and mineral complex and options on fifty-two homeopathic remedies, they will set up their own independent offices in the surrounding villages. In their past life, they were a lawyer, veterinarian, college professor, mother of 5 children, banker, business man, insurance saleswoman, etc. In the recent past they have all been jobless, unemployed, left-out, and searching for opportunity in a land where few opportunities ever come.

For the last 6 years to at least the last 18 months, none of them had any employment. College degrees mean nothing when there is nothing to do.

As homeopathic consultants they have become empowered with hope, knowledge and skill. They will better the lives of their family – which is usually a three generation household – and the lives of their neighbors and countrymen.

I do not know what homeopathy has in store for these people in the highlands of Cameroon, but whatever happens, healing and hope to the human spirit has already arrived.

Observation; Sorry no Flies on the Face in Cameroon

I do not live and work in a land that would disgust nor frighten you. There are no pity parties. No flies in the noses of small children. No social unrest and blinding sand storms. For I live in Africa like most of Africa. Good people, many churches, lush land and no jobs.

Taxi drivers of motorcycles and outdated Toyotas do the most business. Transporting seven or eight folks in a cab designed for four or with five folks on a motorcycle designed for two – they whisk people up and down the steep hills and valleys, loaded with food and some occasional livestock.

Blair… in Africa

Honesdale, PA/ Dyberry Township — On Monday, April 21, four athletes from Cameroon in West Africa achieved their dream of running in the Boston Marathon. Hosted by the Himalayan Institute since their arrival in the U.S. on April 15, the athletes ran as part of the Elite Group in the 112^th Boston Marathon—the first time athletes from Cameroon competed in the prestigious Marathon.

The three men and one woman from the Milano Kumbo Sports Academy in Kumbo, Cameroon, finished the 26 mile race with impressive results despite the cold temperatures prior to the start of the race.

In the men’s elite group of 14,844 runners, Eric Mangeh Mbacah (age 24) took 32^nd place, while Justilin Foimi (age 23) took 39^th. Januarius Bongkiyung (age 35) also made an impressive finish in the men’s elite group at 598^th. In the women’s elite group of 10,439 runners, Immaculate Wirngo (age 23) placed at 1,058. “Running in the Boston Marathon and finishing in the top 1% to 10% of all racers makes us very happy,” said Wirngo. The athletes overcame many obstacles to reach the Boston Marathon.  “We didn’t have the means available for extensive training and only had two weeks of training with the National Coach, which changed us completely.

Even though we had a lack of money, we were still able to come thanks to the support of the Himalayan Institute and Milano Kumbo Sports Academy. We’ve now seen this race with our own eyes and I’m feeling fantastic,” said Bongkiyung. He went on to say “We’re proud to make history for the people of Cameroon. Our training at the Academy has gone a long way, and I’m hoping we can continue our work and return next year.” After the race, Foimi said “We’re amazed at our performance and wonder how much more we could have done if we had proper [warm-up] facilities.” Mbacah summed up the sentiments of his fellow runners: “We’re extremely happy to realize our dream to take part in an international competition like the Boston Marathon and meeting athletes from Kenya and other countries. This is what we have been dreaming of.” 

At a celebratory dinner hosted by Ipswich Rotarians in the suburbs of Boston, Rachel Williams, District Literacy Chair, remarked “It was inspiring to see the determination of the human spirit. These athletes came from difficult circumstances yet they succeeded in such an important race.”

The Cameroon delegation included Mr. Roland Kiven Mbenkum, Executive President, Milano Kumbo Sports Academy, Mr. Jean Claude Kammogne, National Coach for long distance and mountain races, and the team physician, Mr. Amougou Oyono. Institute representatives also accompanied the delegation to Boston. “We did more than we expected,” said Mbenkum. “Our runners were among the top 50 in wave one” he continued. “The U.S. Ambassador to Cameroon telephoned me and she will receive us at the airport when we return to Cameroon. As a Boston native, she is very proud of our accomplishment in this race.” The delegation leaves for Cameroon on April 24.

Operated entirely by volunteer support, the Milano Kumbo Sports Academy is a leader in community sports and youth programs in Cameroon. It was conceived and founded by Mbenkum, who is also President of the Kumbo High Court. He had a vision to serve the community and underprivileged children by offering a constructive and empowering alternative to the petty crime and unrest he observed in his judicial practice. “In the High Court, you see kids going to jail for small things…the Academy gives them a chance to use their natural talents to do big things. You can see that they want to do something” he said. “The runners have accomplished so much on their own running in Cameroon has lost its challenge for them. International races are the next step. With a lot of willpower and contributions from many directions, what seemed very far has now been achieved.”

While Africa is a land of wonder, I will start with the basics. I am safe and living at an elevation of 6200 feet in the northwest province of Cameroon. The city of Kumbo where I live is absent of paved roads and prosperity. The electricity varies throughout the day, but has been available to us most of the time. Water and water pressure is much less reliable and so bathing becomes a privilege, not a right.

The food is grand and plentiful, our cooks are well-trained in vegetarian fare. Due to a recent and rare fine of maple syrup, we have had real pancakes on occasion.

The people of this land go out of their way to greet us at every step.

You could spend your entire day greeting people and never get to the market. They rush up with an arm extended with loud and grand proclamations that “you are welcome!” This greeting is recited 3-4 times during a single handshake and is repeated during the farewell.

It is very sincere and very heartfelt. If you came to join me, it would be immediately clear that “you are welcome” here!

The two-story building where I live is solid concrete. Very clean and safe and filled with great people here on a mission. It is our own building and thus, it is easy to feel at home, but it seems more like a long-term summer camp experience. Four of us are from the USA and another married couple is from India. Our staff of administrators, gardeners, guards, housekeepers and cooks all live nearby. Their English is great and they are eager to teach me Lamso (the native tongue), pigeon English and French. However, keep your expectations low.

The nights are hard for me, boredom comes easy. The flying battalions of bugs are attracted to even the smallest light, thus my night time reading is uncomfortable and night time strolls have been prohibited by storms which turn the red clay roads into an ‘ice-like’ ribbons of slipping and sliding. It is the rainy season right now, so the land is lush and green. But walking is a skill.

Mango season is about to begin and we can hardly wait. Bananas, papaya and pineapple appear at every meal while mango slowly starts to gain marketshare at the table.

I try to leave my bed early, make chai and start my day. Waking early 

– 3 am or 4 am – is not difficult at all when bedtime is 9 pm.  More to come! –blair