Back to school in Kumbo

Hon. Banadzem handing books to some orphans

Joseph Banadzem, BFU give out to orphans
By Njodzefe Nestor in Bamenda
Tradition was again respected in Kumbo as the SDF Member of Parliament for Bui Centre, Hon. Dr. Joseph Banadzem and the Bui Family Union, BFU, based in the United States of America donated school needs worth over FCFA 2.5 million to some 250 orphans of school going age.
    The gifts comprising of school fees and didactic materials like exercise books, pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, etc were given to the orphans on September 6, 2014 in a highly attended and colorful ceremony at the magnificent Kumbo Council Hall, presided over by the Senior Divisional Officer for Bui, Nzeki Theophile.

    Speaking at the ceremony, the Lord Mayor of Kumbo Council, the no nonsense Njong Donatus Fonyuy said the occasion was very important and significant. On behalf of the entire population of Kumbo, he thanked the MP and BFU for providing the means for the orphans to go back to school. Njong implored other Kumbo inhabitants to also put hands on deck and help the orphans even in other ways since their needs are not only education oriented. He called on guardians of the orphans to make judicious use of the donations and warned them not to channel them to other ends.
    Corroborating the Mayor, Bui SDO Nzeki Theophile alluding to the Holy Bible said those who provide for the needy will be rewarded fully by God Almighty. He beckoned the Fon of Nso to urge his subjects to copy the good example that Hon. Banadzem  was setting.
    Taking the queue, the Bui Divisional Delegates of Basic Education and Social Affairs showered praises on the MP for the laudable initiative. They were unanimous that the gesture has put smiles on the faces of the orphans, their guardians and the community at large.
    For his part, Hon. Joseph Banadzem who doubles as the Social Democratic Front, SDF Parliamentary Group Leader at the Cameroon National Assembly thanked the various authorities for honouring the event with their presence, noting that it is eloquent testimony of their great concern for these under-privileged children.
    “Make them school children; do not leave them in the streets; helping an orphan today means helping our society tomorrow and the gift of a pen is mightier than a sword or gun,” were some of the words the MP challenged all to reflect on.
    “We intend that these should be thought-searching as well as inviting each and every one of us to turn to one of the challenging phenomenon of our society-that is the so many under-priviledged children amongst us,” he implored.
    On behalf of the orphans, one of the guardians Lukong Sandrine Dzekashu in a visibly elated mood thanked the MP for his magnanimity which she said knows no bounds. She promised that they are going to make good use of the materials and ensure the children are respectful in school.
    It is worth noting that this annual program by Hon. Banadzem Joseph has run unperturbed for nine years. In  this 2014 edition, the MP paid the fees for 200 of the 250 orphans and provided school needs to the tune of FCFA 1.530.000. For their part, BFU provided fees and school needs for 50 orphans worth FCFA 970.000.
    BFU also paid fees and provided school materials to some 20 orphans each in Jakiri, Tatum, Mbiame and Djottin.